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3:45p Ferry service suspended again at Cherry Branch – Minnesott Beach, due to high water levels.

3:33p It’s wet. Drizzly.

Sunday will be better, but not much. Might be a good day to plan on an indoors event.

Ya know, like a movie.

Beetlejuice plays Sunday at The Old Theater.

Showtime: 3:00p – Doors open at 2:30p. Admission by donation (put somthin’ in the pot), free popcorn.

7:28a Water levels dipped down to 1.6 ft overnight. Low enough that you can get to The Bean without boots.

The Bean is back open this morning. The Cherry Branch – Minnesott Beach ferry is back running.

2:40p Water levels have gone down a few inches in Oriental, but they are still high. Just over 2 ft currently.

What better way to recognize high water, than with a lobster. The Angry Lobster Food Truck 4-8p today at New Village Brewery, with Packhouse playing in the beer garden. At The Silos / Red Rooster, Ken Belangia plays tonight starting at 7p.

Mariposa is open Saturday, Sunday & Monday mornings 7-10a (bakery) and evenings 3-8p (wine bar). FOCUS:NC is a photography exhibition opening Saturday at Broad Strokes Gallery on Hodges St. The Pamlico Poker Run originally scheduled for Saturday will be held at a later date (the forecast of wind & rain is the cause). Jasmine Tasty Thai food truck at the brewery Saturday, with the Mad Fiddler in the beer garden.

Be brave and sneak over to the Old Theater Sunday for Beetlejuice, showtime 3p, all part of the Old Theater’s 2nd Sunday Cinema series.

It’s all in What’s Happening.

6:22a Water levels have crept up overnight, now at 2.88 ft above “normal.”

Still no ferry… water levels are just too high.

On the Neuse, these high breezes are with us for a few days.

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING – GALE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY EVENING THROUGH LATE SUNDAY NIGHT.

• Neuse River Marine Forecast
• Pamlico Sound Marine Forecast
• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station
• Weather Radar

Last night a new tropical storm system was named: Subtropical Storm Karen.

Karen is an odd one, forming in the North Atlantic… north of the Azores. She ain’t coming here, and will fizzle out in a day or two while heading north into cool waters.

• Hurricane Center

7:22p The Cherry Branch / Minnesott Beach Ferry has suspended service…. it’s the high water levels.

5:14p High water levels this evening from northeast winds:

Those high waters have cancelled tonight’s “The Gathering” at The Bean.

HarborCam has the high water view.

6:07a It used to be called the Classic Car Poker Run. Now it’s the Pamlico Poker Run, and it’s back, this weekend, Saturday Oct 11. Cancelled due to nasty weather, it will be rescheduled. More info here.

Here’s what it looks like at a Poker Run start:

5:05p It felt like record attendance. Ol’ Front Porch 2025 went off without a hitch. Perfect weather, great performers and venues.

TownDock’s crew (and cameras) were there.

Tropical Storm Jerry now has 60 mph winds, and is moving fast, 23 mph WNW. The storm’s forecast track continues to stay far away, expected to be even east of Bermuda.

8:12a It’s calm & sunny this morning, but some breeze is on the way.

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING

The winds begin tonight, then Thursday ~ Friday back to 20-25 northeast winds. Water levels will be rising (again).

• Neuse River Marine Forecast
• Pamlico Sound Marine Forecast
• Oriental NC Water Levels

Clouds arrive this afternoon, thunderstorms likely.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station

The weather system got the attention of Oriental Cup Regatta organizers… the event has been moved from this weekend to Nov 7-9.

12:02p Welcome in to Tropical Storm Jerry (formerly Invest 95). Jerry is forecast to reach hurricane strength… and also forecast to head north… staying far away. You may want to avoid boating east of Bermuda.

• Tropical Storm Jerry Tracking Chart
• Tropical Storm Jerry Forecaster’s Discussion & Computer Models
• Tropical Storm Jerry Public Advisory
• Hurricane Center

8:25p A new tropical system is about to form. From NOAA/NHC:

Sometime later today expect an official NHC forecast track. Meanwhile, unofficial computer models mostly (not all) show Invest 95 trending north and staying way offshore.

• Hurricane Center

12:25p There are elections coming up in Oriental on November 4, for Oriental Town Board and for Mayor. Eleven candidates filed to run for town commissioner, seeking to be on the five person board.

Just one person filed to run for mayor, current Mayor Sally Belangia. Predicting elections a month out isn’t usually done, however TownDock is comfortable in predicting that Sally will win re-election.

The eleven candidates for five seats is a different matter. TownDock and The Pamlico News have agreed to host a candidates forum, Oct 23, 6p at the Old Theater. All eleven candidates have been invited. A moderator will ask the candidates questions.

The questions are where you come in. We are seeking your input. You can submit your suggested questions online at this link.

11:20a Heard this morning while out having coffee… folks saying great things about this past weekend’s Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival. Weather was perfect, performers made people smile, the food vendors sold out.

The festival sold out of t-shirts Saturday.

Ol’ Front Porch President Marjorie Dufek writes in with a thank you to the community.

The festival board is already planning the next Ol’ Front Porch, set for Oct 2 – 3, 2026.

They are seeking audience input… there is an online questionnaire.

8:17a There is a new Invest (potential storm) on the Atlantic, Invest 95. The word from NOAA/NHC:

The initial models (unofficial) suggest Invest 95 will be on a familiar route… trending north and staying offshore.

Sorry, Bermuda.

• Hurricane Center

The next 2025 storm name on deck, Jerry.

7:57a Water levels are about 6 inches lower this morning, now at 1.7 ft. Those few inches do make a real difference… the sidewalk on Hodges Street by the harbor is now (mostly) dry.

You can walk the sidewalk w regular shoes and stay dry (except for &^%$s driving through the water and making wakes).

The Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival starts at 11a today, with music going all day and into the evening. Schedule here.

Mariposa is open Saturday, Sunday & Monday mornings 7-10a (bakery) and evenings 3-8p (wine bar).

Broadstrokes Gallery has an artists reception today, 2-5p. October’s guest artist is Jonathan Burger, who creates sculpture with metal, wood, concrete and paint.

12:40p The 2025 Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival is underway, performances start at 1p. The online schedule is here.

Perfect porch weather for the weekend: sunny & mid 70s today, near 80 Saturday and Sunday.

• Oriental NC Forecast

8:55a Now a one-boat schedule (back to two boats at 1p). From Cherry Branch:

6:55a Water levels now at just over 2 ft above normal. The ferry is back in operation, on a regular two boat schedule.

The Bean will reopen this morning at 7:30a (ish).

After their dance together near the US East Coast, Hurricane Imelda actually did absorb the remnants of Hurricane Humberto… it appears to occur just after Imelda passes over Bermuda.

The satellite view:

5:05p A week ago storm Imelda appeared like it could be a real problem. Today, after a kind (to us) forecast track sent Hurricane Imelda east & offshore… the storm was declared post-tropical. Goodbye Imelda.

There are two potential disturbances on the Atlantic, neither an imminent threat:

• Hurricane Center

Water levels have held steady today, hanging right around 2.4 ft high.

As a result of the high water levels, still no ferry.

6:01a No ferry this morning. Maybe no ferry today (unless water levels go down). From Cherry Branch:

They don’t mean a lunar tide. It’s the wind tide we’ve been experiencing. In Oriental, water levels peaked at 3.02 ft above normal yesterday.

That’s pulled back a bit, currently at 2.4 ft above normal.

• Neuse River at Oriental Water Level Gauge

3:02p October is home to key events in Oriental. Ol’ Front Porch this weekend. Next weekend is the Oriental Cup Regatta, Oriental’s classic event where keel boats contend for the cup.

More info and online regatta registration is at orientalcupregatta.com.

The 17th Annual Chil Cook-off is Oct 25.

Maybe 2026 brings a return of another October event?

The last Oriental Classic Car Show was in 2023. Despite a rainy day, 50 cars participated.

The year before had ideal weather, and the 2022 car show had 96 entries. Take a look.

2021? 100 classic cars in the show.

6:40a Welcome to October… some folks find it to be the most beautiful month (and best for sailing) of the year,

It’s all cloudy at the moment, but blue skies will poke through. A partly sunny mid 70s day is ahead.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station

The weather to watch in our town today is high northeast winds. On the Neuse, 20-25, gusts to to 30 (same forecast for Thursday). Those winds are pushing water levels up. You’ll need boots to walk on Hodges St near the harbor.

• Neuse River Marine Forecast
• Pamlico Sound Marine Forecast

HarborCam has the high water view.

Out on the Atlantic, Hurricane Imelda now has 90 mph winds, moving east at 20 mph. The storm goes right over Bermuda tonight.

8:11a It’s now Hurricane Imelda, 75 mph. Imelda is kindly heading heading east and far away.

Kind unless you’re in Bermuda, where Hurricane Imelda will make landfall Wednesday night.

• Hurricane Imelda Tracking Chart
• Hurricane Imelda Forecaster’s Discussion & Computer Models
• Hurricane Imelda Public Advisory
• Hurricane Center

Back here in river city, the sun will come out. Tomorrow.

7:59a As Imelda’s forecast track has moved south, so have the rain predictions. The latest Imelda rain projections are staying south of us:

• Tropical Storm Imelda Tracking Chart
• Tropical Storm Imelda Forecaster’s Discussion & Computer Models
• Tropical Storm Imelda Public Advisory
• Hurricane Center

Starting Wednesday, the sun comes out. Other than stout northeast winds, we have a kind forecast ahead:

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station

5:03p While it appears we’re not getting a hurricane visit, there will be some wind this week.

A high pressure system from the north teamed with effects from Imelda (and Humberto) will deliver brisk northeast winds.

Like this:

• Neuse River Marine Forecast
• Pamlico Sound Marine Forecast

These northeast winds will be pushing water levels up a foot or two (or three). The usual places (like Hodges St near the harbor) will see flooding.

• Neuse River at Oriental Water Level Gauge

2:05p The storm has been upgraded to Tropical Storm Imelda, now 40 mph winds. Imelda is expected to reach hurricane status (75mph) Tuesday… but also forecast to turn east and away Tuesday. The latest:

• Tropical Storm Imelda Tracking Chart
• Tropical Storm Imelda Forecaster’s Discussion & Computer Models
• Tropical Storm Imelda Public Advisory
• Hurricane Center

Under 3 hours left in Heartworks Harborfest online auction. It’s for a grand and noble cause, and there are some fun things.

9:01a Fay Bond celebrates her 102nd birthday today. A party was planned for Lou Mac Park… weather has moved that party to the Oriental Woman’s Club. It’s 3p-7 today, and you’re invited.

8:50a It’s good news for us kids in eastern NC this morning. Future storm Imelda is mostly staying away… the forecast track turning east off the Florida coast.

We are projected to get some rain from the distant pass, maybe a couple inches.

When we smile about a storm going away… it’s going somewhere. There’s a song that says it: one man’s ceiling, is another man’s floor.

A few hundred miles (600) off Beaufort NC, is the island nation of Bermuda. They don’t have such a merry forecast this morning. Bermuda is preparing to get a near visit from major hurricane Humberto, and right after that Imelda.

Sometime today, Tropical Depression Nine will become Tropical Storm Imelda. It is expected to reach category 1 hurricane strength (75mph) on it’s Atlantic journey.

11:07a The potential storm is now officially Tropical Depression Nine, likely to become Tropical Storm Imelda later today.

The forecast track keeps on becoming more favorable, turning east sooner, off the Georgia coast. This track makes it less likely that we would see significant impact from Imelda.

• Tropical Depression Nine Tracking Chart
• Tropical Depression Nine Forecaster’s Discussion & Computer Models
• Tropical Depression Nine Public Advisory
• Hurricane Center

5:45a A couple days ago, models were divided between the storm coming ashore at SC, or being pulled back out to sea.

This morning the official NHC forecast is beginning to favor the “pulled back to sea” prediction.

• Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine Tracking Chart
• Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine Forecaster’s Discussion & Computer Models
• Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine Public Advisory
• Hurricane Center

While this may be good news, it’s not unlikely this forecast track will change (perhaps significantly) in coming days. The impact of nearby Hurricane Humberto makes this a more challenging prediction.

Note also the storm slows as it nears the SC coast. Storm Nine / Imelda stalling and raining (and raining) is a concern.

Meanwhile, back here in river city: Cloudy and rainy today. And Sunday. And Monday. Add Tuesday.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Neuse River Marine Forecast

5:00p We have a declared storm system, and an official NHC track. Invest 94 is now Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine.

It is expected to become Tropical Storm Imelda sometime Saturday, and may just reach category 1 hurricane strength (75 mph) before a South Carolina landfall.

• Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine Tracking Chart
• Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine Forecaster’s Discussion & Computer Models
• Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine Public Advisory
• Hurricane Center

There is a significant threat of heavy rainfall early next week from coastal Georgia through the Carolinas and into the southern Mid-Atlantic states.

12:05p This afternoon you can have a craft beer, catch some tunes, and learn more about Neuse Neighbors & Prime-Time. They are having a Friendraiser from 4 til 7p at New Village Brewery. Also at the brewery today: La Cocina del Coqui food truck, and Brant Island Strings play the beer garden.

Mariposa Wine Bar & Bakery is open Sat-Sun-Mon. The bakery (w morning coffee) open 7a-10, wine bar 3p-8. Pumpkin cheesecake is among the temptations waiting this weekend. The farmers of the Farmer’s Market show their wares Sat mornings 8a-11 on Hodges near the harbor.

A Taste of Philly food truck at the brewery Saturday, plus TerraTones plays the beer garden. music rained out. Harborfest for HeartWorks Saturday 5:00p until, this year at Heartworks own Safe Harbor Youth Center in Bayboro.

You can attend church outdoors, OUMC holds Sunday services 8:30a at Lou Mac Park. Oriental very much has a most Senior, Senior Citizen. It’s Fay Bond, and she celebrates her 102nd birthday Sunday with a public party at Lou Mac Park, 3p-7. The party is on, but it has been moved to the Oriental Womans Club (to avoid any rain).

Find it all in What’s Happening.

8:33a Humberto became Hurricane Humberto this morning. The storm is expected to become a major hurricane this weekend, but the forecast track keeps it offshore.

Invest 94 is expected to be declared a tropical depression this weekend, then sometime after become Tropical Storm Imelda.

Hurricane Humberto may be part of the story of Imelda.

Those confused computer models…actually do tell a story. Either Imelda comes inshore at the SC coast, OR, Imelda is pulled out to sea by Humberto. The nearby presence of major Hurricane Humberto makes Imelda’s track particularly difficult to call.

• Hurricane Center