Outer Banks and Chesapeake Bay coastal flooding, Oct. 21–22: overwash closed NC-12 on Hatteras Island
Never walk, swim or drive through floodwater. Ready.gov says just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
Past event. Flood · North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland · Oct. 21, 2026 to Oct. 23, 2026. In danger, call 911.
What is happening
A storm-force low off the mid-Atlantic coast, which became Subtropical Storm Josephine and moved northeast away from the U.S., pushed water onto the Outer Banks and into the Chesapeake Bay on Oct. 21 and 22. NWS Wakefield replaced its Coastal Flood Warnings for Virginia Beach, Maryland's lower Eastern Shore and Virginia's Northern Neck with Coastal Flood Advisories on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 22, and at 8:09 PM Thursday NWS Newport/Morehead City replaced the Hatteras Island Coastal Flood Warning with a Coastal Flood Advisory for up to 2 feet of inundation through 8 PM Friday. NWS said ocean overwash should gradually improve as waves subside overnight and Friday, but NC-12 between the Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe remained closed Thursday night. Minor Coastal Flood Advisories continue into Friday for Hampton Roads, the Middle Peninsula, Northern Neck and parts of Maryland's Chesapeake shore, so check the live panel, DriveNC and your local NWS office before you travel.
Areas under warnings include Hatteras Island, NC (Coastal Flood Warning ended Thursday night, now a Coastal Flood Advisory through 8 PM Friday), plus minor Coastal Flood Advisories into Friday for Hampton Roads, the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck, Dorchester, Wicomico and Somerset counties, parts of Maryland's western Chesapeake shore, and the Delaware and New Jersey coast.
Source: NWS Newport/Morehead City and NWS Wakefield Coastal Flood Warnings and Advisories, Oct. 21 to 22, 2026. Warnings change; the live panel below is the current word from NWS.
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Local help near you
Open shelters and FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, straight from FEMA.
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Live NWS alerts for the affected areas
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FEMA disaster declarations
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Confirmed damage
Only official reports: NWS Local Storm Reports and damage surveys, plus statements from FEMA, USGS and state or county emergency management. No news or social media rumors.
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Preliminary reports; official totals may change.
Official state and local links
- ReadyNC (North Carolina Emergency Management)State emergency management
- Virginia Department of Emergency ManagementState emergency management
- Maryland Department of Emergency ManagementState emergency management
- DriveNCNC road closures, including NC-12
- Virginia 511Virginia road conditions and closures
- Maryland CHARTMaryland road conditions and closures
- NWS WakefieldForecasts and warnings · NWS
- NWS Newport/Morehead CityForecasts and warnings · NWS
- NWS Baltimore/WashingtonForecasts and warnings · NWS
- NWS Mount HollyForecasts and warnings · NWS
During: stay safe
- Get to safe shelter right away and evacuate if officials tell you to.
- Turn Around, Don't Drown: do not walk, swim or drive through floodwater, and never drive around barricades.
- Stay off bridges over fast-moving water.
- If you're trapped in a building, go to the highest level. Do not climb into a closed attic; only go on the roof if necessary, then signal for help.
- If your car is trapped in rapidly moving water, stay inside. Get on the roof if water rises inside the car.
Source: (Ready.gov: Floods)
After: recover
- Return home only when officials say it's safe.
- Stay out of floodwater: it can be contaminated, hide debris, or be electrically charged by downed lines.
- Don't touch electrical equipment if it's wet or you're standing in water.
- Wear gloves, boots and protective clothing to clean up, and dry your home within 24 to 48 hours to limit mold.
- Homeowners insurance usually doesn't cover flooding; if you have NFIP or private flood insurance, file your claim and photograph everything first.
More official guidance
- NWS flood safetyFlood and flash flood safety · NWS
- National Water Prediction ServiceRiver forecasts and flood levels · NOAA
- Ready.gov: FloodsBefore, during and after · Ready.gov
- Water damage and mold guideDrying out and cleanup
- Flood insurance waiting periodNFIP 30-day wait explained
- Nor'easter and coastal flood guideCoastal flood alerts and what to do
- King tides and sunny-day floodingHigh tide flooding explained
- Flooding: full safety guide
Get help
- Roads & closures511, road conditions, flooding
- Find shelterOpen shelters and hotel help
- Boil-water noticesIs your tap water safe?
- FEMA & money helpAid, loans and free legal help
- Tarps & roof helpTarps, roof help and volunteer crews
- Safety firstGas, power lines, CO, floodwater
- After the storm: housing, mental health, money
- Insurance photo checklist
Common questions
Where can I see current warnings for the outer banks and chesapeake bay coastal flooding?
The live panel on this page pulls active alerts straight from the National Weather Service for the affected zones in North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland. You can also check your local NWS office or weather.gov.
Is FEMA assistance available for the outer banks and chesapeake bay coastal flooding?
Only if a federal disaster is declared for your county. The FEMA panel on this page shows any declarations as they come in; you can also check DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362.
How much water does it take to sweep away a car?
Ready.gov says one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away, and just six inches of moving water can knock you down.
Does homeowners insurance cover flood damage?
Usually not. Ready.gov notes homeowners policies do not cover flooding; flood coverage comes from the National Flood Insurance Program or a private flood policy, which typically takes 30 days to start.