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8:42a If you’ve been wanting a warm day for a break, today is your day. Sunny & mid 60s.

Last weekend’s wind & rain cancelled the wine tastings at Nautical Wheelers – they have been reschedule to tomorrow at 3 & 4p.

Urban Street Eats food truck at the brewery today, noon til 7:30p.

8:30a Pamlico County Library is one of a handful of libraries in North Carolina that shares a building with a school – in our case Pamlico County High School. That arrangement has been tense at times in recent years.

It may take a few years to happen, but the Library is getting its own building… in what may (at first) sound like an unlikely spot: The closed Hardee’s location on Hwy 55 in Bayboro. A poster in the former Hardee’s declares the site the “Future Home of the Pamlico County Public Library.”

click image for the big view

A call to the Pamlico County Library confirmed the purchase, though they say it may be several years before the move is complete. A ‘library architect’ has been hired to make the space work.

No word (yet) on potential uses of the drive-through window.

4:42p If you see Will Wagoner (Deaton’s rigger extraordinaire) – today is Happy Birthday time.

1:06p It’s a music-themed weekend, in and around Oriental.

Tonight at 6, it’s the open Jam Session at Pamlico Community college (PCC event cancelled tonight), at 6:30p tonight Pamlico Musical Society holds their annual listening session at the Oriental Woman’s Club.

Friday it’s the Let’s Glow Crazy Dance Party fundraiser for Hope Clinic’s New Beginnings Program, starting at 6p at Pamlico Community College.

Saturday night, New Village Brewery has live music from Radar’s Clowns of Sedation, 5:30p-7:30p. On the other side of Broad Street, Fiddler Ken Waldman (along with a stage full of traditional musicians) performs at the The Old Theater, 7:30p.

It’s all in What’s Happening.

8:52a There’s a great show on late tonight. You’ve got to go outside to see it.

It’s a meteor shower – termed a “unicorn” meteor storm by astronomers. Several meteors per minute are possible at the height of the storm, just before midnight, around 11:50p tonight.

According to the American Meteor Society this meteor shower comes from the dust trail of an unknown comet. This shower in the night sky could include up to 400 meteors. You need to be up at 11:50p to see it – the meteor storm will be short, with the peak lasting about 15 minutes and the entire shower perhaps 40 minutes. Tonight’s forecast is cooperating – clear & cool skies. The moon is waning, so it won’t be too bright to see the meteors.

8:47a The overnight low reached 36, and may reach near 40 tonight. Sunny & 60 today, warming to the mid 60s Friday & Saturday. Saturday has a slight chance of showers, otherwise it’s sunny/mostly sunny through next Tuesday.

Out on the Neuse, N winds at 10-15 knots today, then winds finally coming from the south tonight… SW 10 knots.

4:02p This Saturday Ken Waldman brings not just his fiddle – but a whole cast of musicians to the Old Theater stage. That cast will include Unknown Tongues – that’s Bryan and Barbara Blake from Marshallberg, NC (Core Sound,) and from Johnson City, Tennessee old time mandolin scholar Adam Tanner. Here’s some Adam:

The show is Saturday night, 7:30p at the Old Theater. Tickets available at Nautical Wheelers and online at this link.

2:17p Spirit Of Christmas in Oriental – this year it is Friday Dec 13 and Saturday Dec 14.

The parade is Saturday – this year the parade will start at 2:30p. The new time is to allow the parade to be later in the day… and just after the parade folks can gather at Lou Mac Park for a tree lighting at 4:00p.

The theme for the 2019 Spirit Of Christmas Parade is My Traditional Christmas. Whatever a traditional Christmas means where you are from (folks in Oriental are from all over and come from many traditions) share that in your Christmas parade entry.

There are parade registration forms at the hardware store on Broad Street, or you can register to be in the Spirit Of Christmas parade online – click here.

1:46p The Pamlico Musical Society would like your input. All you have to do is sit, listen to the music, and give your opinion (… on the music). It’s the annual listening session at the Oriental Woman’s Club, and it happens tomorrow night from 6:30-7:30p. It’s free and open to the public.

6:33a Patchy fog out there this morning. Sunny and temps in the high 50s later today, and tomorrow.

Have a fine from an overdue library book? The Pamlico County Library is willing to make an exchange and keep the library police from your door. One non-perishable canned or boxed food item will cancel out $1 in library fines. Donate and take care of your fines, or someone else’s, now through Saturday, Nov 23.

If you visit the library on Saturday, you can place your bid for a StoryBook Christmas Tree and pickup a 2020 Student Arts Calendar during the Student Arts Calendar Release Party from 3-5p.

2:11p He is often compared to Garrison Keillor. He (and a cast of performers) play Saturday night at Oriental’s Old Theater.

The man is fiddler Ken Waldman. Here’s Ken and his fiddle:

For more about Ken Waldman and his visit, click here.

Ken Waldman tickets are available online at this link.

12:50p It is rare when a storm season has twenty storms. But this hurricane season has reached that mark – Tropical Storm Sebastian is the 20th storm system this year. It’s also rare to have a storm forming this late in the season, but here we are (hurricane season runs June 1 – Nov 30.)

Sebastian is east of the Caribbean, and is forecast to just be around a few days. This one won’t be visiting.

8:46a Still water over Hodges St… waters are slowwwwly receding at this point, with modest winds from the northwest. The first south winds in the forecast come Thursday night… south winds will finally pull any remaining water away.

Some sun will find us this afternoon, then all sunshine starting tomorrow. High today just mod 50s, near 60 for Wednesday & Thursday, and warming to mid 60s Friday.

• Oriental NC Weather Forecast
• Neuse River Marine Forecast
• Pamlico Sound Marine Forecast
• Newport / Morehead City Weather Radar

9:41a Yesterday all NC ferry routes were suspended due to weather. Today, five ferry routes are back: Ocracoke-Swan Quarter, Ocracoke-Cedar Island, Southport-to-Fort Fisher, Aurora-Bayview, & Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach. The Cherry Branch – Minnesott Beach operations center confirmed the ferry is running on regular schedule today.

There’s more from the waterlogged Honda on Main Street (see below). The overhead view suggests the driver exited via the sunroof:

(click image for the big pic and another view)

Current water levels are down significantly from yesterday: now just about 2 ft above normal.

6:21a Today, winds are again from the N, 10-15mph. Rain is expected this afternoon. Temps will stay in the mid 50s.

Small Craft Advisory until 10a on the Pamlico Sound. Winds are still gusting, up to 30 knots. N winds, 20-25 knots becoming NW at 10-15 knots.

On the Neuse, N winds 15 -20 knots becoming 5-10 knots.

10:27a High water levels in Oriental will flood the streets nearest the harbor. That includes Hodges (right by the harbor) and Main Street – just a block away. One driver attempted to drive through Main Street during the high waters – this morning it appears it didn’t go well:

(click image for the big pic and another view)

It’s unknown when the Honda came to a damp halt, however water levels last night were about a foot higher than in this Sunday morning photo.

9:19a Yesterday, due to weather, NCDOT ceased all ferry routes except one – the Aurora-Bayview ferry was still running. As of this morning ALL ferry routes are suspended until this weather system passes. From NCDOT:

6:18a Any rain today will be this morning. Another cloudy & windy day ahead. It won’t warm up too much – highs just into the mid 50s. It’s already 54 right now.

Monday these winds will finally diminish. Tuesday will be the first sunny day you’ve seen in a while – clear and 60.

The Stormy Misty weather links:
• Oriental NC Weather Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station
• Oriental NC Hour-By-Hour Forecast
• Neuse River Marine Forecast
• Pamlico Sound Marine Forecast
• Newport / Morehead City Weather Radar
• Southeast Weather Radar

6:01a It’s day three of nor’easter Stormy Misty. TownDock decided the storm needed a name – and this visiting storm has been leaving a bit of mist about.

Water levels receded overnight, now at about 3 1/2 ft above normal. We had high winds, but not the extremes the forecast warned about. Overnight peak wind was 32mph at 1:16a. Right now winds are in the mid to high 20s, from the north. Winds are not forecast to become consistently northwest (which will allow levels to drop more) until late tonight.

Friday was the wet day – 1 1/2 inches of rain fell. Saturday just delivered a half inch of precipitation, and overnight we’ve had less than 1/10th of an inch. The storm’s moisture is just offshore this morning – check out weather radar:

A look at the National Weather Radar view shows there is only one place with significant moisture east of the Mississippi – and that is off the NC coast:

8:30p Water levels have gone down a few inches – now 4’ 3” above normal. Winds have not gone down, but a slight shift appears to have helped. Winds are north to north-northwest. That small move to the west can diminish wind surge in Oriental.

8:23p A new high wind for the day – 36mph a few minutes ago.

7:20p Water levels have risen. Now 4 1/2 ft above normal at TownDock World Headquarters. At Pecan Grove Marina, water levels are about even with the docks.

Today’s high wind of 35mph was this morning, but it is blowing a consistent mid 20s to about 30mph right now. The forecast for tonight suggests gusts could reach 55mph.

The Bean will not be open Sunday due to the high water levels, covering Hodges Street.

Stormy Misty has some power for an autumn nor’easter.

5:34p Nor’easter Stormy Misty has water levels still rising in and near Oriental, and on the Outer Banks, Stormy Misty has closed NC Hwy 12:

5:04p Water levels are now higher than earlier today – up to about 3.5 to 4 ft above normal. They could sneak up a bit higher tonight and Sunday as the north winds keep blowing water our way.

4:12p Not much rain today (so far) – just over 1/10th of an inch. Yesterday got about 1.5 inches from Stormy Misty. Tonight is forecast to get rain.

Tonight north winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55. Sunday… north winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50. Sunday Night… winds become northwest, 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35. Water levels will start to drop some then…. winds from the north raise water levels, northeast are even worse, but northwest starts to push water towards the other side of the Neuse.

12:48p NCDOT is trying to prevent Darwin Awards on the Outer Banks this weekend. A press release just issued states “Travelers should not try to go around barricades or road-closed signs, as these are put in place to protect people. Most flood-related drownings occur when someone drives through standing or rushing water.”

So, no driving on flooded roads with Road Closed signs. Who knew? The press release is at this link.

High winds blow a lot of sand on NC Hwy 12. Here are NCDOT crews this morning removing sand from the narrow highway:

10:50a It seems unfair that non-tropical storms don’t get a name. This storm needs a name.

To right this wretched wrong, henceforth, the weekend winds will be known as Stormy Misty.

Stormy Misty has cancelled another local happening. From Lili @ New Village Brewery:

FYI, it’s always OK to bring food to the brewery from local restaurants (or home) and still enjoy a beer there. Yesterday’s food truck also got cancelled, as did today’s Wine Tastings at Nautical Wheelers. Camilla at Nautical Wheelers will however provide expert advice on pairing a wine with high winds & water.

9:49a The high waters and winds have stopped almost all ferry routes, including Cherry Branch/Minnesott Beach. From NCDOT:

New high wind for the day – 35 mph measured at the Oriental Weather Station.

9:34a You don’t have to be a dumb %$# to drive your car through a couple feet of water. But it helps. From Pat at The Provison Company:

Notice the impressive bow wave.

8:43a Water levels up about 2 1/2 to 3 ft – now about even with the surface of the town dock – check out HarborCam and see.

Over at Pecan Grove Marina the channel is getting dredged this month – by early December it should be dredged to a depth of 8 ft. The Beaufort based crew (King Dredging) was going to work today, but high winds and waves have that project taking the weekend off. The Pecan Grove channel – and a dredge being held by a big anchor – can be viewed in PecanCam.

8:07a A new high wind for the day – 33 mph a few minutes ago. Those high winds are coming directly from the north.

7:42a Water levels are up about 2 1/2 ft. The Bean appears to be closed. Update – The bean is officially closed for the day due to high waters.

The forecast is a wee bit milder… gusts “only” to 55 mph tonight (it had been 60.)

6:50a High wind overnight 30mph. Hodges Street is flooded.

From the Oriental Weather Station… the barometer drops as the winds rise:

click image for the big view

4:21p It’s been rainy & ugly – 3/4” of an inch of rain so far today. But the real winds are ahead. This afternoon winds have just been in the teens. Late tonight the action starts. Saturday will be one seriously breezy & wet day.

After midnight tonight, north winds 15-25, gusts to 40mph. Saturday, 20-30mph winds, gusts to 55. Saturday night, 25-35mph winds, GUSTS TO 60mph.

Sunday still windy, again north winds 20-30, gusts to 50mph. Sunday night, winds lower. Monday, it all finally begins to calm down.

All that north wind is going to push water levels up in and near Oriental. Best current estimates – a 2 to 4 ft surge above normal levels. Local wind “tide” is determined by wind direction, speed, and how long that wind pushes all that Pamlico Sound water down our way. The north and northeast winds forecast will make for surge & coastal flooding. If it moves a bit and is more northwest, levels would be lower. But the forecast doesn’t indicate northwest winds until Monday.

Coastal Flood Warning in Effect from 7 Am Saturday to 1 Am Est Monday …High Wind Warning in Effect from 7 Am Saturday to 5 Pm Est Sunday.

4:10p The weekend weather has Nautical Wheeler’s postponing their wine tastings. From Bill Wheeler:

1:40p Wind? Rain? The show must go on. Tonight’s Friday Flick at the Old Theater is 12 Strong – showtime 7p. Here’s a scene:

Admission $6 – which includes popcorn – more info here.

9:57a Neuse Neighbors Network is growing, thanks to volunteers. A volunteer orientation meeting is today at 1p, Oriental Town Hall. You are invited.

9:50a Mari’s Hella Fat Food Truck cancelled today (weather) at the brewery. Fear not, they still have beer.

Winds blowing in the teens to near 20 right now. A half inch of rain since midnight.

8:45a How high will waters get? NOAA says Coastal Flooding could mean waters “2 to 4 feet above ground.” Water level predictions “above ground” make less sense than simply surge above normal (how high is your ground in the first place?), but that’s the number we have.

We don’t need a hurricane to get significant flooding – high winds from the north & northeast, for a long time, are going to raise water levels. For example, October 2015 saw water levels up about 4 feet – take a look. The quote from that story:

That quote may apply again this weekend. If you have property that floods easily, expect some water to visit. As well as high north winds, we are forecast to get 3 to 4 inches of rain from the stormy weekend.

Coastal Flood Warning in Effect from 7 Am Saturday to 1 Am Est Monday …High Wind Warning in Effect from 7 Am Saturday to 5 Pm Est Sunday.

The weekend weather links:
• Oriental NC Weather Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station
• Oriental NC Hour-By-Hour Forecast
• Neuse River Marine Forecast
• Pamlico Sound Marine Forecast
• Newport / Morehead City Weather Radar
• Southeast Weather Radar