NC’s Outer Banks watching Sandy off the coast

Published 10:35 am Sunday, October 28, 2012

NAGS HEAD (AP) — Convenience stores, breakfast restaurants and gas stations on North Carolina’s Outer Banks are open for business as usual as Hurricane Sandy roars offshore.

The worst of the storm is expected to be felt later Sunday.

There was scattered flooding on the barrier island beach road in Nags Head. Rain fell, but gusty winds were barely half the 75 mph sustained winds reported near the center of Sandy still hundreds of miles away.

Forecasters warned that winds would pick up along the Outer Banks during the day, with the brunt of it expected overnight and early Monday. Some areas of southern Hatteras Island were already experiencing flooding.

Winds shifting from the east to the northwest later Sunday could cause flooding of 3 to 5 feet on waterfront property facing the sounds.