Highway 12 Remains Closed; Ocean Overwash Remains a Concern

Florence made landfall in Wrightsville Beach overnight and began a slow move west and away from Hatteras and Ocracoke islands, however, storm surge threat will remain high as winds stay elevated and the next high tide approaches at approximately 11:30 a.m.

N.C. Highway 12 on Hatteras Island remains closed due to ocean overwash and will remain closed until both the road and its bridges can be cleared of debris, inspected for structural damage, and repaired as necessary. Inspections will take place as soon as conditions allow.  

Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative reports that 97 customers on Hatteras Island are without power as of Friday morning.

Maximum sustained winds of 54-67 mph will linger on Hatteras and Ocracoke islands through Saturday night, with maximum wind gusts of 67-85 mph.

An additional 3.5 inches of rain is also possible for Hatteras Island, and an additional 4.5 inches of rain is possible for Ocracoke Island through Sunday night, although intensities will diminish by Saturday night. 

The Pamlico Sound was pushed out starting on Thursday afternoon, and was reportedly making a slow and gradual return as of Friday morning.

As of 8 a.m., Florence remained stationed near Wrightsville Beach as a Category 1 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds near 90 mph. Gradual weakening is forecast later today and tonight. Significant weakening is expected over the weekend and into early next week while Florence moves farther inland.

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