Special Marine Warning for Pamlico Sound and Surrounding Rivers: 50-Knot Gusts Expected

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Newport/Morehead City NC has issued a Special Marine Warning for the Neuse and Bay Rivers, Pamlico Sound, and the Pamlico and Pungo Rivers. This alert was issued following radar detection of a strong thunderstorm in the region.

Affected Areas

The warning covers several key maritime areas in Eastern North Carolina, including:

• Pamlico Sound
• Pamlico and Pungo Rivers
• Neuse and Bay Rivers

Specific locations impacted include the vicinity of Slades Creek, Belhaven, Swanquarter, the mouth of the Pamlico River, Hobucken, Crabtree Bay, Bath, Blounts Bay, the vicinity of Bath Creek, Mid Point of South Creek, and the vicinity of Pamlico Beach.

What You Should Do

Mariners are advised to avoid the affected waters. Small craft could be damaged in briefly higher winds and suddenly higher waves. Boaters should seek safe harbor immediately until the storm passes.

Expected Conditions

At 2:35 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located over the Mid Point of South Creek, approximately 7 nautical miles southeast of Bath. The storm is moving east at 25 knots. Hazards include wind gusts reaching nearly 50 knots. These conditions are likely to produce suddenly higher waves that pose a significant threat to small vessels.

Timeline

The Special Marine Warning is effective immediately and remains in effect until 3:30 PM EDT on March 12, 2026.