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Tropical Storm Idalia brought torrential, wind-driven rain and soundside and ocean flooding to Hatteras Island.

The watery event kicked off Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023, with the National Weather Service tracking two storms: Hurricane Franklin and soon-to-be Hurricane Idalia.

While Hurricane Franklin did not visit Hatteras Island, the storm system caused high surf advisories and warnings about dangerous beach conditions to be issued during the week leading up to Idalia. Early in the week, however, surfing conditions were just right between Buxton and Avon.

As predicted, the storm’s fury visited Thursday, Aug. 31.

Rainfall on Hatteras varied during the storm. A total rainfall for Frisco from the National Weather Service shows 5.78 inches. Wind speed topped out at 24 miles per hour sustained and with a 55 mile-per-hour gust at 11:10 a.m. The top gust in Rodanthe hit 60 miles per hour.

The National Weather Service reports rainfall in Hatteras village at 7.23 inches and in Buxton, 6.98 inches.

All that rain clogged roadways and yards. Dare County Sheriff’s Office deputies consistently reported the trouble spots filled with rainwater along NC 12 and, together with the North Carolina Department of Transportation, urged folks to stay at home and off the roads.

At Thursday night’s high tide, ocean waters swirled across vulnerable areas in Rodanthe like Ocean Drive, Corbina Drive and oceanfront properties in Mirlo Beach.

NC12 remained open and passable with areas of blown sand and standing water. Deep areas of standing water occurred between Hatteras and Frisco at Sandy Bay, in front of Village Marina in Hatteras Village, and a Salvo subdivision and around Waterfall Park in Rodanthe. Late Thursday afternoon, shallow patches of rainwater covered northbound lanes on NC 12 in Avon, Rodanthe, Waves and Salvo.

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