OBX Winter Storm 2026: Outer Banks Historic Bomb Cyclone Gianna

Описание: A powerful winter storm (named Gianna) intensified into a bomb cyclone off the Southeast coast, bringing some of the heaviest snow in decades plus hurricane‑like winds along the Outer Banks.weather+2


Conditions along the Banks have resembled a hurricane at times, with strong winds and blowing/drifting snow reducing visibility and creating near‑whiteout conditions
Roads and NC 12
NC 12 is closed between the Marc Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe as of Saturday evening due to deteriorating conditions, poor visibility, and safety concerns for drivers and road crews


State officials report NC 12 remains closed and all coastal ferries are not operating for safety reasons, and they warn that clearing roads statewide could take days, with some secondary roads potentially taking up to a

Even where snow has ended, melting during the day and refreezing at night is expected to cause ongoing black ice and very slick travel for several days.

Power outages
As of late Sunday morning, there are scattered power outages across Dare County, with some outages affecting more than 100 customers at a time; many of these are concentrated in the Kitty Hawk area
Utilities have crews working in the Outer Banks to restore power, but the combination of heavy snow and high winds is slowing repairs

Coastal flooding and other hazards
Moderate to locally significant coastal flooding remains possible along the Outer Banks and southern Pamlico Sound, especially around high tide, due to strong onshore winds, large waves, and high astronomical tides. Weather

Officials specifically warn of likely travel impacts and over wash on vulnerable sections of NC 12, particularly on Hatteras and Ocracoke islands'

Practical tips and local resources
For road closures and NC 12 status: check NCDOT NC12 and DriveNC.gov, and follow Dare County Sheriff for localized updates

For power: check Dominion Energy’s outage map and report any downed lines from a safe distance
Eastern North Carolina, including the Outer Banks, is still dealing with major impacts from the ongoing winter storm / bomb cyclone today (Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026). Travel is extremely limited, NC 12 has closures, and there are scattered power outages across Dare County

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