N.C. Highway 12 reopens on northern Ocracoke Island; Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry service resumes at 5:00 p.m.

N.C. Highway 12 has reopened on northern Ocracoke Island, per a Tuesday afternoon update from the National Carolina Department of Transportation.

The roadway from the Ocracoke Pony Pens to the Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry docks was closed early Monday morning, December 18, due to severe ocean overwash.

Now that the roadway has reopened, Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry service will resume starting with the 5:00 p.m. departure from Hatteras, although travelers are advised that some sand and water remain on the highway on the northern end of Ocracoke.

The Sunday/Monday storm brought minor soundside flooding and ocean overwash, which closed two sections of the highway – northern Ocracoke Island, and in between Frisco and Hatteras Village.

While the highway north of Hatteras Village opened Monday afternoon, travelers are advised that there is still between 4-5 inches of water on some parts of the roadway. Drive slowly and carefully through the area, as saltwater can damage vehicles.

All other areas of N.C. Highway 12 are open and passable with some areas of blowing sand and standing water. With northwest winds remaining strong throughout Tuesday, blowing sand may continue to be an issue throughout the evening.

During the storm, peak wind gusts of 67 mph were reported in Avon and Ocracoke, with 1.5 inches of total rainfall recorded on Hatteras Island, per an update from the National Weather Service.

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/.