Nags Head, North Carolina

... Coastal Flood Watch in effect from Wednesday evening through
Saturday morning north of Cape Hatteras...

... High threat of rip currents along the beaches Wednesday...

The National Weather Service in Newport/Morehead City has issued
a coastal Flood Watch... which is in effect from Wednesday evening
through Saturday morning.

Low pressure will move off the southeast U.S. Coast Wednesday as
high pressure builds to the north. These systems will produce
strong northeast winds of 30 to 40 mph later Wednesday through
Friday along the coast. The strong winds and building seas will
result in overwash and coastal flooding from Cape Hatteras north.
Portions of Highway 12 may become flooded and impassable at times
Wednesday night into Saturday.

The onshore winds and building surf will create a high threat of
rip currents along the beaches Wednesday.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A coastal Flood Watch means that conditions favorable for
flooding are expected to develop. Coastal residents should be
alert for later statements or warnings... and take action to
protect property.

Rip currents are strong... narrow channels of water that flow out
to sea. If you become caught in a rip current... remain calm. Try
to swim on a course that is parallel to the beach until you get
away from the rip... then swim at an angle in to shore. Do not try
to swim back to shore directly against the rip... since it can
exhaust and even kill the strongest swimmer.

Always heed the advice of lifeguards. Pay attention to flags and
signs posted near beach access points and lifeguard stations.