On Thursday, September 21st, an area of low pressure begin to develop and get more organized off the Southeast US coastline. That low continued to deepen and become more organized, eventually taking on tropical characteristics, becoming the 15th named storm of the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season on Friday, September 22nd. Ophelia developed into a strong tropical storm and moved north over the next couple of days, making landfall during the early morning hours near Emerald Isle, NC. Ophelia continued to march north through the heart of Eastern North Carolina on Saturday, September 23rd. Ophelia eventually weakened to a Tropical Depression Saturday evening over southern Virginia.
Ophelia brought widespread heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and significant river and storm surge flooding to portions of Eastern North Carolina, and is a reminder that it's never just a tropical storm. One of the more notable impacts with Ophelia was flooding, both from storm surge and from heavy rain / flash flooding. Significant storm surge flooding occurred along the Neuse, Pamlico, and Pungo Rivers. Inland, significant flooding occurred in the Greenville area due to flash flooding and a rapidly rising Green Mill Run.

Storm Surge/Tide in PAMLICO, NORTH CAROLINA
From 23-SEP-23 05:00:00 to 23-SEP-23 14:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

The most significant inundation occurred in the Arapahoe area, where the Neuse River rose to a height of around 4.7 feet above ground level along China Grove Rd. Water levels peaked between 9am and noon as strong and persistent northeast winds occurred well out ahead of Ophelia. Other areas that were surveyed by a NWS survey team were Bayboro and Hobucken. In Bayboro, water levels rose to 3 to 4 feet above ground level, while Hobucken observed water level rises between 2 to 3 feet above ground level.

Flash Flood in CARTERET, NORTH CAROLINA
From 23-SEP-23 07:30:00 to 23-SEP-23 08:30:00 (EST-5)
Location: CAPE CARTERET
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Emerald Isle Fire Dept. reported water covered roads due to heavy rain accumulations between the 9200-9300 block of Ocean Drive, Emerald Isle. The time was estimated based on radar data.

Flash Flood in PITT, NORTH CAROLINA
From 23-SEP-23 09:11:00 to 23-SEP-23 15:11:00 (EST-5)
Location: GREENVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Some of 14th Street expected to be closed off due to flooding per fire chief.

Storm Surge/Tide in SOUTHERN CRAVEN, NORTH CAROLINA
From 22-SEP-23 17:00:00 to 23-SEP-23 09:00:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Inundation began in New Bern as strong persistent northeast winds well ahead of Ophelia pushed water up the Neuse and Trent Rivers during the early evening hours. Water levels peaked around 9pm with values around 4 feet above ground level near the New Bern waterfront. The water receded through the overnight as the northeast winds diminished, but then came back up during the early to mid morning hours of the September 23rd as strong south to southeast winds developed as the center of Ophelia moved through inland Eastern NC. Water level values came up to around 4 feet above ground level once again, before quickly receding late morning through afternoon.

Tropical Storm in EAST CARTERET, NORTH CAROLINA
From 22-SEP-23 18:10:00 to 22-SEP-23 18:10:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: ASOS

Tropical storm force winds were measured at Piney Island ASOS station in Eastern Carteret County. Winds briefly reached tropical storm force with a max wind speed of 37 knots while the highest recorded wind gust was 52 knots.

Tropical Storm in WEST CARTERET, NORTH CAROLINA
From 22-SEP-23 16:10:00 to 23-SEP-23 05:05:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Mesonet

Tropical storm force winds were measured on a WxFlow station at Fort Macon in Western Carteret County. Winds reached tropical storm force criteria Friday evening and persisted into Saturday morning with a max wind speed of 40 knots, while the highest recorded wind gust was 57 knots.

Tropical Storm in HATTERAS ISLAND, NORTH CAROLINA
From 22-SEP-23 13:21:00 to 22-SEP-23 21:11:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Mesonet

Tropical storm force winds were measured on a WxFlow station near Oregon Inlet on Hatteras Island. Winds reached tropical storm force criteria Friday morning and persisted into Friday evening with a max wind speed of 40 knots, while the highest recorded wind gust was 59 knots.

Tropical Storm in NORTHERN OUTER BANKS, NORTH CAROLINA
From 22-SEP-23 15:44:00 to 22-SEP-23 20:59:00 (EST-5)
Reported by: Mesonet

Tropical storm force winds were measured on a WxFlow station near Oregon Inlet in the Northern Outer Banks. Winds reached tropical storm force criteria Friday afternoon and persisted into Friday evening with a max wind speed of 36 knots, while the highest recorded wind gust was 49 knots.

Flash Flood in PITT, NORTH CAROLINA
From 23-SEP-23 09:05:00 to 23-SEP-23 13:06:00 (EST-5)
Location: GREENVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Fire Chief reported road closures underway due to flooding.

Flash Flood in PITT, NORTH CAROLINA
From 23-SEP-23 09:49:00 to 23-SEP-23 15:09:00 (EST-5)
Location: GREENVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Road closure due to flooding at First Street from Elm to Oak.

Flash Flood in PITT, NORTH CAROLINA
From 23-SEP-23 09:50:00 to 23-SEP-23 16:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: BELL FORK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Road closure on E Arlington Blvd between Red Banks Rd and Turtle Creek Rd due to flooding.

Flash Flood in PITT, NORTH CAROLINA
From 23-SEP-23 09:07:00 to 23-SEP-23 16:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: CANNON XRDS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Fire Chief reported road closures soon to be in place for Greenville Blvd due to flooding.

Flash Flood in PITT, NORTH CAROLINA
From 23-SEP-23 10:45:00 to 23-SEP-23 16:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: GREENVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Numerous roads closed due to flooding in Greenville.

Flash Flood in PITT, NORTH CAROLINA
From 23-SEP-23 10:47:00 to 23-SEP-23 16:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: GREENVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Fire Department/Rescue

Several 911 calls for vehicles in flooded roadways.

Flash Flood in PITT, NORTH CAROLINA
From 23-SEP-23 10:55:00 to 23-SEP-23 16:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: WINTERVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Storm Chaser

Over 1.5 feet of moving water over roadway at Church St Ext.

Flash Flood in PITT, NORTH CAROLINA
From 23-SEP-23 13:00:00 to 23-SEP-23 16:00:00 (EST-5)
Location: GREENVILLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Tropical System
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Broadcast Media relayed reports of water rescues due to people driving around barricades.

Storm Surge/Tide in BEAUFORT, NORTH CAROLINA
From 23-SEP-23 11:00:00 to 23-SEP-23 21:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

Throughout the town of Belhaven, NWS team measured 3-4 ft. above ground level storm surge.

Storm Surge/Tide in BEAUFORT, NORTH CAROLINA
From 23-SEP-23 08:00:00 to 23-SEP-23 21:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

At Belhaven Beach, NWS survey team found 4-5 ft. above ground level storm surge.

Storm Surge/Tide in BEAUFORT, NORTH CAROLINA
From 23-SEP-23 10:00:00 to 23-SEP-23 21:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

At the small community on Kilby Island, NWS storm survey found 4-5 ft above ground level storm surge. At the peak, water was around 2 ft deep in lower levels of homes here.

Storm Surge/Tide in BEAUFORT, NORTH CAROLINA
From 23-SEP-23 09:00:00 to 23-SEP-23 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

In the town of Bath. NWS Storm Survey found evidence of 4-5 ft. above ground level storm surge.

Storm Surge/Tide in BEAUFORT, NORTH CAROLINA
From 23-SEP-23 09:00:00 to 23-SEP-23 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

In the town of Washington along the waterfront, NWS Storm Survey team found evidence of 5-6 ft. above ground level storm surge. Water was into the ground level of several buildings, and a few cars were flooded as a result of being parked near the waterfront during the storm.

Storm Surge/Tide in BEAUFORT, NORTH CAROLINA
From 23-SEP-23 08:00:00 to 23-SEP-23 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Storm Survey

In Washington Park, NWS Storm Survey team found evidence of 5-6 ft above ground level storm surge. Water clearly flowed through several lower levels along adjacent streets in Washington Park however most of the damage/evidence was cleaned up by the time of the survey. Evidence of the peak surge was also supported by previous social media pictures during the storm.