Ocean Overwash Reported on N.C. Highway 12 and Ocean View Drive in Avon

November 16, 2019 | Local News | By: Joy Crist

N.C. Highway 12 in Avon at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday. Photo by Orville Scarborough.

Ocean View Drive in Avon at 11:00 a.m. Saturday

Ocean overwash was reported on N.C. Highway 12 in Avon as of 11:00 a.m. on Saturday near Ocean View Drive and the Food Lion plaza.

As of 11:00 a.m., overwash had not yet significantly impacted N.C. Highway 12 in Rodanthe, Frisco, Buxton or Hatteras, however, flooding was reported near residences and side streets along the oceanfront in northern Rodanthe.

A High Wind Warning, Coastal Flood Warning and High Surf Advisory remain in effect for Dare County as the coastal storm moves through our area. Strong winds, heavy rain, large waves, and life-threatening coastal flooding will bring significant impacts with conditions expected to deteriorate throughout Saturday afternoon and into Sunday. Persistent high winds with gusts up to 60-70 mph have the potential to cause widespread power outages.

The N.C. Department of Transportation is warning motorists that the storm will likely affect travel on N.C. Highway 12. Depending on the storm surge and overwash, portions of N.C. 12 could be closed for extended periods during high tide cycles over the next few days.

Ocean View Drive in Avon. Photo by Orville Scarborough.

The next high tide is around 10:00 p.m. on Saturday night.

Storm surge inundation of 2 to 4 feet above ground level is currently forecast with the storm, with locally higher amounts possible for oceanside areas of the islands, and areas adjacent to the southern Pamlico Sound. Offshore peak wave heights of 15-23 ft. are also forecast with the coastal storm, as well as 4-6 inches of additional rainfall for Hatteras and Ocracoke islands.

For information about current road conditions from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), visit drivenc.gov or dial 511. When dialing 511 on weekdays from 8:15 a.m. to 7:45 p.m., weekends from 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., callers speak directly with an operator who can answer traffic and travel-related questions. Overnight and during emergencies, travelers should go to DriveNC.gov for the latest travel information. For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.

For more information on the local forecast, visit www.weather.gov/mhx for weather information, or the National Weather Service office in Newport / Morehead City’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NWSMoreheadCity/.