There ain't much difference.

[OuterBanker]

Cold core, warm core, extra tropical, tropical, doesn't really matter much in effects. It feels, looks and acts the same on the ground. Huge waves, steady 30+ mile winds with gusts to 60 (could approach hurricane force gusts). My wife is in Ocracoke where the annual fishing tournament is taking place (the canceled fishing today, first time in 22 year history). Ferry system has shut down stranding everyone on Ocracoke so they couldn't come home if they wanted to. Horizontal rain, flooding and occasional power outages. Because it is not tropical and doesn't bear a name it will not be included in land falling tropical stats. But the damage we receive will be the same. This is the second major nor'easter in two weeks here. The first storm removed a lot of the sand that was used in the beach replenishment project here (many millions spent). I'm afraid that this one will also deplete all that work and money. Everyone on the OBX is praying for no more storms this year. We thought that Isabel was the last straw, I'm afraid not. Genuine concerns on what the next hurricane might do here on the OBX which has been receiving national attention on our dilemma. Oh well so much for venting, I think I will go back to my optimistic self (gradual shift to realist lately though,lol).

[PurdueWx80]

Let's hope this storm doesn't nearly crash a cruise vessel.

Looks like a hurricane to me: http://www.rap.ucar.edu/weather/satelli ... &itype=vis

[hurricanetrack]

Wow! What a great report. Thanks for letting us know what is going on out there. I was there for Alex last year and thought that was bad enough. Some friends of mine in Hatteras said they had 1 foot of ocean water in their yard during that last "rogue" storm. The Outer Banks are under siege lately- it seems. If a large, powerful hurricane hits this year, it could permanently alter everything we know about that incredible strip of coastline forever. I personally hope that does NOT happen. I spent many days out there as a kid and love the people and the geography. However, Nature may be about to reclaim it- we shall see.

Good luck!

[James]

A very impressive system. Do take care!

[vacanechaser]

Awesome report.. Thanx for that.. Friend of mine here at work was talking about fishing in that tournament this year but didnt do it this year.. He talked to his friends a little earlier today and they had the same type story.. Take care and stay safe..


Jesse V. Bass III
http://www.vastormphoto.com

[george_r_1961]

It takes a lot to shut down the Hatteras-Ocracoke Ferry. I agree that the Outer Banks cant take a lot more. Ocracoke seems to escape most of the damage but Hatteras has had more than its share of flooding and damage. Hopefully conditions there will improve this evening as the low pulls out.

[vbhoutex]

bouys in the area are reporting sustained winds ranging from 31 mph to around 47 mph with gusts to 66 mph and pressures around 29.70.

This one is about 80 miles East of hatteras i believe. Conditions at 41001 as of
(2:50 pm EDT)
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=41001



This one has reported gusts to 66 mph! It is right at Oracoke I believe.
Conditions at CLKN7 as of
(3:00 pm EDT)

http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=clkn7


And another further North:
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=ducn7

[Canelaw99]

We had parts of that here in Southern FLA this past week and it wasn't fun. We had an unconfirmed tornado here in the Florida City area, along with severe lightning, thunder, and lots of rain. I'm a NC born girl with fam. in Winston-Salem still, and I love the OBX. I know they can't take a lot more of this nonsense so best of luck and well wishes to y'all up there