4 Summary 



Figure 7 illustrates storm-induced flooding. Zones of water elevations in 

 feet above NGVD are denoted. The figure is intended as a general overview; 

 therefore, isolated high-water marks of unusually high or low elevations within 

 a given zone have been ignored in the preparatioa Based upon the recovered 

 high-water marks, all of the flooding on the Outer Banks appears to have come 

 from the Pamlico Sound side of the barrier island. This interpretation is based 

 upon the gradient of elevations of high- water marks which slopes from the 

 Sound to the ocean and is consistent with the streamline patterns depicted in 

 the wind analyses of Chapter 3. The streamlines indicating wind direction in 

 the 2200 hr UTC analysis (Figure 5), the time of PCA, are most shore-normal 

 along the east-west-oriented reach of Cape Hatteras. The isotachs indicating 

 the most intense wind speeds over land, approximately 90 knots, are located 

 near Buxton, where the highest water levels occurred. 



Hurricane Emily was unusual in that it caused significant flooding and 

 damage on the Outer Banks, yet never made landfall in the commonly 

 accepted sense because the eye of the storm stayed over water. Emily was 

 also unusual in causing the most pronounced flooding along the back side of a 

 barrier island system. 



Chapter 4 Summary 



17 



