Large Waterspout Forms Off North Carolina's Outer Banks

Sean Breslin
Published: August 19,2016

Beachgoers along parts of North Carolina's Outer Banks got quite the surprise Thursday afternoon when a large waterspout formed just off the coast, not far from Oregon Inlet.
The waterspout was in progress for about 10 minutes moving west Thursday afternoon on Pamlico Sound, according to the Outer Banks Voice. Residents and vacationers reported seeing the waterspout in areas from Nags Head to Wanchese and down into the Oregon Inlet area, WAVY.com said.
At the time the waterspout was in progress, a wind gust of 72 mph was reported at Oregon Inlet, the National Weather Service said.
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There were no reports of damage, Dare County Communications told the Outer Banks Voice. Although they can pose a threat to boaters in the area and can occasionally come ashore and inflict damage, most waterspouts are a generally harmless phenomenon that provide a show for those watching from the beach.

MORE: Waterspouts