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9:25p It was cloudy all day yesterday, and then suddenly just before sunset… all clear.

Walking by the harbor at dusk:

5:27a The Minnesott Beach/Cherry Branch Ferry is back in action with the regular two boat schedule.

It must be autumn… sunny & mid 60s today & Friday. Saturday warms up to 70, Sunday might get to 80.

• Oriental NC Forecast

Water levels are creeping down, now at 1.7 ft. Remaining flood waters should totally go away this weekend… Saturday evening winds become from the south. The south winds will take the waters away, as well as deliver some warmer air.

• Neuse River Marine Forecast
• Neuse River at Oriental Water Level Gauge

Storm Lorenzo has become a remnant low. The mid October message from the National Hurricane Center this morning is a simple one:

Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 7 days.

1:55p There are municipal elections coming up on Nov 4 – Oriental will be electing a mayor and 5 commissioners.

With 11 candidates on the ballot for town commissioner, TownDock.net asked the candidates to write in with an introduction and their vision for Oriental.

10:14a We’re sad about the loss of George Beckwith. From time to time, George would visit with TownDock staff and talk about fishing. We are fortunate to have archived some of those talks.

In September 2019 George sat with us on the side deck of The Bean. He shared his knowledge about Drum, Speckled Trout… and just fishing in general.

George Beckwith, Jr passed away Oct 6.

Multiple Oriental residents (and even an ex resident) have written in regarding the upcoming town board elections. Their letters are here.

5:40a Now one of the boats is misbehaving. From the Cherry Branch/Minnesott Beach Ferry:

We are currently operating an amended schedule due to mechanical issues.
Departing Cherry Branch 5:00a, 5:45a, 6:45a, 7:45a, 9:00a, 10:00a, 11:00a, 12:00p, 1:30p, 2:30p, 3:30p, 4:30p, 5:30p, 6:30p, 7:30p, 8:30p, 10:00p
Departing Minnesott Beach 5:25a, 6:15a, 7:15a, 8:30a, 9:30a, 10:30a, 11:30a, 12:30p, 2:00p, 3:00p, 4:00p, 5:00p, 6:00p, 7:00p, 8:00p, 9:00p, 11:00p

5:52a It seems happy(er) humans are back at work on the ferries.

Water levels have been slowlyyy diminishing, now just under 2 ft above normal.

5:00p. TownDock and The Pamlico News are co-hosting a town board candidates forum, Oct 23, 6p at the Old Theater. Eleven candidates filed to run, and all have been invited. A moderator will ask the candidates questions.

We are seeking public input on the questions for the candidates. Your input is sought. Questions should be suitable to ask all candidates. You can submit your suggested questions online at this link.

4:55p The Cherry Branch/Minnesott Beach ferries are suspended. It’s not the weather:

Hmmmmm.

10:55a Coffee & baked goods are back operating. Add to that… the ferry:

9:57a Despite the high water… The Bean really is open today.

Boots might be wise. The Provison Company has a good collection of suitable fashion footwear.

8:00a Water levels are much lower than Sunday, but still high. Levels at 2.3 ft above normal at this writing.

Levels should continue to trend down tonight & Tuesday (northwest winds). But the high water won’t be going all away until winds become southerly… and that isn’t in the forecast.

• Neuse River Marine Forecast

Mariposa is back open this morning, and The Bean will be open by “8 to 8:30a”.

Early this morning Tropical Storm Lorenzo was declared. Lorenzo is way way away… in the eastern Atlantic & heading north towards the Azores.

• Tropical Storm Lorenzo Tracking Chart
• Tropical Storm Lorenzo Forecaster’s Discussion & Computer Models
• Hurricane Center

6:57p The weather is closing Pamlico Community College on Monday.

Pamlico County Schools also closed Monday:

2:02p Water levels slowly receding… now at 3.29 ft.

12:10p Easing down a bit more, now at 3.68ft.

11:01a Water levels down, just a tad. Now at 3.83 ft.

10:41a The high altitude Old Theater is pleased to report that today’s movie – Beetlejuice – will be screened as scheduled.

Today, 3p, Old Theater.

10:00a Now at 3.96ft. We’ll call it four.

The Harborcam high water view:

9:00a ¡Ay, caramba! Water levels now at 3.73 ft.

The northeast winds keep coming. Today’s high wind 32mph at 1:30a. Last night saw a 41mph peak at 10:51p.

8:00a Water levels now at 3.6 ft above normal. These are the highest water levels since September 22, 2023 (Tropical Storm Ophelia).

When will it end? Not today – the marine forecast:

Northwest winds Monday will make for less high water, but we will still have some high waters with us.

• Neuse River Marine Forecast
• Pamlico Sound Marine Forecast
• Neuse River at Oriental Water Level Gauge
• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station
• Weather Radar

7:45a High waters. Really high, 3.5 above normal, and appear to be still rising.

The ferry isn’t running. The Bean is closed. Casa Que Pasa (aka the Taco Tower) is closed. Even Mariposa is closed.

5:11p Tropical Storm Jerry is kaput. NHC described Jerry as disheveled. Oye.

It’s now “Remnants of Jerry.”

Could there be more? There is a tropical wave in the eastern Atlantic:

Even if this does form, early indications are it will trend north, staying mid-Atlantic.

• Hurricane Center

3:45p Ferry service suspended again at Cherry Branch – Minnesott Beach, due to high water levels.

3:33p It’s wet. Drizzly.

Sunday will be better, but not much. Might be a good day to plan on an indoors event.

Ya know, like a movie.

Beetlejuice plays Sunday at The Old Theater.

Showtime: 3:00p – Doors open at 2:30p. Admission by donation (put somthin’ in the pot), free popcorn.

7:28a Water levels dipped down to 1.6 ft overnight. Low enough that you can get to The Bean without boots.

The Bean is back open this morning. The Cherry Branch – Minnesott Beach ferry is back running.

2:40p Water levels have gone down a few inches in Oriental, but they are still high. Just over 2 ft currently.

What better way to recognize high water, than with a lobster. The Angry Lobster Food Truck 4-8p today at New Village Brewery, with Packhouse playing in the beer garden. At The Silos / Red Rooster, Ken Belangia plays tonight starting at 7p.

Mariposa is open Saturday, Sunday & Monday mornings 7-10a (bakery) and evenings 3-8p (wine bar). FOCUS:NC is a photography exhibition opening Saturday at Broad Strokes Gallery on Hodges St. The Pamlico Poker Run originally scheduled for Saturday will be held at a later date (the forecast of wind & rain is the cause). Jasmine Tasty Thai food truck at the brewery Saturday, with the Mad Fiddler in the beer garden.

Be brave and sneak over to the Old Theater Sunday for Beetlejuice, showtime 3p, all part of the Old Theater’s 2nd Sunday Cinema series.

It’s all in What’s Happening.

6:22a Water levels have crept up overnight, now at 2.88 ft above “normal.”

Still no ferry… water levels are just too high.

On the Neuse, these high breezes are with us for a few days.

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING – GALE WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY EVENING THROUGH LATE SUNDAY NIGHT.

• Neuse River Marine Forecast
• Pamlico Sound Marine Forecast
• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station
• Weather Radar

Last night a new tropical storm system was named: Subtropical Storm Karen.

Karen is an odd one, forming in the North Atlantic… north of the Azores. She ain’t coming here, and will fizzle out in a day or two while heading north into cool waters.

• Hurricane Center

7:22p The Cherry Branch / Minnesott Beach Ferry has suspended service…. it’s the high water levels.

5:14p High water levels this evening from northeast winds:

Those high waters have cancelled tonight’s “The Gathering” at The Bean.

HarborCam has the high water view.

6:07a It used to be called the Classic Car Poker Run. Now it’s the Pamlico Poker Run, and it’s back, this weekend, Saturday Oct 11. Cancelled due to nasty weather, it will be rescheduled. More info here.

Here’s what it looks like at a Poker Run start:

5:05p It felt like record attendance. Ol’ Front Porch 2025 went off without a hitch. Perfect weather, great performers and venues.

TownDock’s crew (and cameras) were there.

Tropical Storm Jerry now has 60 mph winds, and is moving fast, 23 mph WNW. The storm’s forecast track continues to stay far away, expected to be even east of Bermuda.

8:12a It’s calm & sunny this morning, but some breeze is on the way.

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING

The winds begin tonight, then Thursday ~ Friday back to 20-25 northeast winds. Water levels will be rising (again).

• Neuse River Marine Forecast
• Pamlico Sound Marine Forecast
• Oriental NC Water Levels

Clouds arrive this afternoon, thunderstorms likely.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station

The weather system got the attention of Oriental Cup Regatta organizers… the event has been moved from this weekend to Nov 7-9.

12:02p Welcome in to Tropical Storm Jerry (formerly Invest 95). Jerry is forecast to reach hurricane strength… and also forecast to head north… staying far away. You may want to avoid boating east of Bermuda.

• Tropical Storm Jerry Tracking Chart
• Tropical Storm Jerry Forecaster’s Discussion & Computer Models
• Tropical Storm Jerry Public Advisory
• Hurricane Center

8:25p A new tropical system is about to form. From NOAA/NHC:

Sometime later today expect an official NHC forecast track. Meanwhile, unofficial computer models mostly (not all) show Invest 95 trending north and staying way offshore.

• Hurricane Center

12:25p There are elections coming up in Oriental on November 4, for Oriental Town Board and for Mayor. Eleven candidates filed to run for town commissioner, seeking to be on the five person board.

Just one person filed to run for mayor, current Mayor Sally Belangia. Predicting elections a month out isn’t usually done, however TownDock is comfortable in predicting that Sally will win re-election.

The eleven candidates for five seats is a different matter. TownDock and The Pamlico News have agreed to host a candidates forum, Oct 23, 6p at the Old Theater. All eleven candidates have been invited. A moderator will ask the candidates questions.

The questions are where you come in. We are seeking your input. You can submit your suggested questions online at this link.

11:20a Heard this morning while out having coffee… folks saying great things about this past weekend’s Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival. Weather was perfect, performers made people smile, the food vendors sold out.

The festival sold out of t-shirts Saturday.

Ol’ Front Porch President Marjorie Dufek writes in with a thank you to the community.

The festival board is already planning the next Ol’ Front Porch, set for Oct 2 – 3, 2026.

They are seeking audience input… there is an online questionnaire.

8:17a There is a new Invest (potential storm) on the Atlantic, Invest 95. The word from NOAA/NHC:

The initial models (unofficial) suggest Invest 95 will be on a familiar route… trending north and staying offshore.

Sorry, Bermuda.

• Hurricane Center

The next 2025 storm name on deck, Jerry.

7:57a Water levels are about 6 inches lower this morning, now at 1.7 ft. Those few inches do make a real difference… the sidewalk on Hodges Street by the harbor is now (mostly) dry.

You can walk the sidewalk w regular shoes and stay dry (except for &^%$s driving through the water and making wakes).

The Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival starts at 11a today, with music going all day and into the evening. Schedule here.

Mariposa is open Saturday, Sunday & Monday mornings 7-10a (bakery) and evenings 3-8p (wine bar).

Broadstrokes Gallery has an artists reception today, 2-5p. October’s guest artist is Jonathan Burger, who creates sculpture with metal, wood, concrete and paint.

12:40p The 2025 Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival is underway, performances start at 1p. The online schedule is here.

Perfect porch weather for the weekend: sunny & mid 70s today, near 80 Saturday and Sunday.

• Oriental NC Forecast

8:55a Now a one-boat schedule (back to two boats at 1p). From Cherry Branch:

6:55a Water levels now at just over 2 ft above normal. The ferry is back in operation, on a regular two boat schedule.

The Bean will reopen this morning at 7:30a (ish).

After their dance together near the US East Coast, Hurricane Imelda actually did absorb the remnants of Hurricane Humberto… it appears to occur just after Imelda passes over Bermuda.

The satellite view:

5:05p A week ago storm Imelda appeared like it could be a real problem. Today, after a kind (to us) forecast track sent Hurricane Imelda east & offshore… the storm was declared post-tropical. Goodbye Imelda.

There are two potential disturbances on the Atlantic, neither an imminent threat:

• Hurricane Center

Water levels have held steady today, hanging right around 2.4 ft high.

As a result of the high water levels, still no ferry.

6:01a No ferry this morning. Maybe no ferry today (unless water levels go down). From Cherry Branch:

They don’t mean a lunar tide. It’s the wind tide we’ve been experiencing. In Oriental, water levels peaked at 3.02 ft above normal yesterday.

That’s pulled back a bit, currently at 2.4 ft above normal.

• Neuse River at Oriental Water Level Gauge

3:02p October is home to key events in Oriental. Ol’ Front Porch this weekend. Next weekend is the Oriental Cup Regatta, Oriental’s classic event where keel boats contend for the cup.

More info and online regatta registration is at orientalcupregatta.com.

The 17th Annual Chil Cook-off is Oct 25.

Maybe 2026 brings a return of another October event?

The last Oriental Classic Car Show was in 2023. Despite a rainy day, 50 cars participated.

The year before had ideal weather, and the 2022 car show had 96 entries. Take a look.

2021? 100 classic cars in the show.

6:40a Welcome to October… some folks find it to be the most beautiful month (and best for sailing) of the year,

It’s all cloudy at the moment, but blue skies will poke through. A partly sunny mid 70s day is ahead.

• Oriental NC Forecast
• Oriental Weather Station

The weather to watch in our town today is high northeast winds. On the Neuse, 20-25, gusts to to 30 (same forecast for Thursday). Those winds are pushing water levels up. You’ll need boots to walk on Hodges St near the harbor.

• Neuse River Marine Forecast
• Pamlico Sound Marine Forecast

HarborCam has the high water view.

Out on the Atlantic, Hurricane Imelda now has 90 mph winds, moving east at 20 mph. The storm goes right over Bermuda tonight.