Pamlico River at Washington, NC
River level and flood forecast · Beaufort County
Normal2.3 ftas of Mon 4:15 PM
The river is 1.7 ft below flood stage (4 ft).
The last 7 days and the forecast
NWS forecast issued Sun, Dec 31, 7 PM. Forecasts change as rain falls and as upstream water arrives.
Flood stages
| Major flood stage | 7 ft |
| Moderate flood stage | 5 ft |
| Flood stage | 4 ft |
| Action stage | 3.5 ft |
| Record crest (September 3, 1913) | 10.56 ft |
What floods at each level
From the National Weather Service, highest first.
- 7 ftWidespread and significant flooding of the town of Washington (including the Washington Park and River Road areas), as well as the community of Whichards Beach. Many homes and businesses will flood in Washington.Many roads will be impassable, especially those adjacent to the Pamlico River and adjacent creeks.
- 5 ftFlooding in and around the town of Washington and in the Whichards Beach area. Water will flood up to Main Street in the town of Washington. Numerous residences in Whichards Beach, Portside and Bayside Shores will flood.
- 4 ftMinor flooding in the town of Washington, flooding docks and yards adjacent to the Pamlico River and creeks. As well in areas south of River Road on Swan Point Road, Shady Banks, Summer Haven Road, Griffins Beach Road, and River Acres Road.Both the Pamlico River and Chocowinity Bay will flood the Twin Lakes Campground as well as Bayside Shores and Portside communities. Water will reach homes in Bayside Shores and access to locations in and around Whichards Beach will be cut off by flood waters.
- 3.5 ftWater backs up Rodmand Creek and will flood Whichards Beach Road. This road is the only access into Whichards Beach and surrounding areas such as Twin Lakes, Portside and Bayside Shores in Bayside Shores. Roads in Bayside Shores will see minor flooding.
- -2 ftLow water levels wil make navigation hazardous on the Pamlico and Pungo Rivers.
Highest crests on record
- 10.56 ft — September 3, 1913
- 9.48 ft — September 14, 2018
- 9.07 ft — September 16, 1999
- 8.46 ft — August 27, 2011
- 8.36 ft — September 19, 1955
Recent crests: 4.84 ft (January 10, 2024) · 5.19 ft (December 18, 2023) · 6.98 ft (September 23, 2023) · 5.14 ft (September 30, 2022) · 4.58 ft (January 16, 2022)
Up and down the river, and nearby
Not an official source. River levels, forecasts, flood stages and impacts are from the National Weather Service (PAMN7); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.