Highway 12 between the Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe will REOPEN to motorists at 5 p.m. today

Highway 12 between the Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe will REOPEN to motorists at 5 p.m. today, per a 4:00 p.m. update from NCDOT. However, ocean overwash issues are expected to return with tonight’s high tide at around 11 p.m.

Standing water and sand remain on the road at several locations, so motorists should drive with EXTREME CAUTION. NCDOT crews will evaluate the situation at high tide and another closure may be necessary for public safety.

N.C. Highway 12 on Ocracoke has also reopened to traffic as of 3:20 p.m., and ferry service between Hatteras and Ocracoke has resumed.

Stronger winds through Monday could bring more extensive coastal flooding impacts, especially for oceanside areas north of Cape Hatteras, per a Sunday afternoon update from the National Weather Service Newport / Morehead City office. Water levels and tides will be higher than the Outer Banks has experienced all week, and water levels are expected to peak during the morning high tide on Monday.

High astronomical tides, increasing swell from distant Hurricane Teddy, and a prolonged strong northeast wind will last into early next week. Winds will begin to subside late Monday, along with the most significant coastal flooding impacts. The pip current risk will remain elevated through the beginning to middle of next week.

Beach erosion is also likely with 7-to-12 foot breaking waves.

A Coastal Flood Warning remains in effect for the Northern Outer Banks and Hatteras Island, and a High Surf Advisory is in effect from Duck to Surf City.

2-4 feet of ocean overwash was reported in the Ocean View Drive area of Avon, Mirlo Beach, north Buxton, north Hatteras, Pea Island, and northern Ocracoke Island as of Sunday afternoon.

The following areas are especially prone to ocean overwash and will likely be impacted over the next several days:

• South of the Basnight Bridge to the Pea Island Visitor Center
• Mirlo Beach area, on the northern edge of the tri-villages
• South of the Avon Pier along Ocean View Drive
• At the north end of Buxton
• Between Frisco and Hatteras Village
• Along Pole Rd., south of Ramp 55 in Hatteras village
• Along the north end of Ocracoke island

The next high tide is around 10:30 p.m. on Sunday.

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/.