Overwash reported with Wednesday morning’s high tide; Additional coastal flooding remains possible through Thursday

Minor to moderate ocean overwash was reported after Wednesday morning’s approximate 4:45 a.m. high tide on several stretches of N.C. Highway 12, particularly northern Pea Island at the “Canal Zone” just south of the Basnight Bridge where dunes were compromised, northern Buxton, and northern Ocracoke Island.

“NC12 remains open and passable after high tide, with water and sand on the roadway in several locations such as Pea Island, Hatteras, and Ocracoke,” stated the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) in a Wednesday morning update.

“Crews will be out clearing and rebuilding the dune today, so please slow down and give them room to work. Secondary roads in Rodanthe continue to receive moderate overwash and will also be cleared during the day today.”

The prolonged period of gale-force northerly winds will continue through Wednesday morning, but will begin to subside throughout the day. Coastal flooding of 2-3 feet above ground level will remain possible through Thursday, per an update from the National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City office.

Rough surf and minor to locally-moderate beach erosion continue to be expected from Duck to Cape Hatteras, (along with localized ocean overwash), and N.C. Highway 12 may be impacted, especially during the next two high tide cycles.

The next high tide is approximately 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 7.

A Coastal Flood Warning is in effect until 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, while a High Surf Advisory is in effect until 7:00 a.m. on Friday.

Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry operations have resumed for Wednesday starting with the 9:00 a.m. departure from Hatteras and the 11:00 a.m. departure from Ocracoke, per an update from the North Carolina Ferry System. Wednesday morning crossings for the Ocracoke-mainland routes, (Cedar Island and Swan Quarter), have been canceled.

• To get notified of ferry delays or cancellations, sign up for text and/or email alerts via the N.C. Ferry System’s FINS system: www.ncdot.gov/fins. Users will get notified of any schedule changes directly from the terminal, and can unsubscribe at any time.
• For updates regarding road conditions, visit DriveNC.gov and follow the North Carolina Department of Transportation and NCDOT NC 12 on Facebook. The Dare County Sheriff’s Office also shares local road condition updates on its Facebook page.
• For more information on the local weather 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/.