Flooding closes Highway 12 on Ocracoke, ferry not running

Highway 12 on Ocracoke Island has closed this morning between the Pony Pen and the Hatteras/Ocracoke Ferry Terminal because of flooding from heavy rains. 

There is not an estimated schedule for reopening the road at this time, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

Locations along Highway in this area are reported to have approximately one foot of water on the road and are impassable. Drivers on Highway 12 coming from Ocracoke village will be able to turn around in the Pony Pen parking lot.

Because of this closure, the Hatteras-Ocracoke Ferry has shut down service this morning. Other ferry routes are also being impacted by the storm, including the Pamlico River and Cherry Branch ferries. 

Riders are advised to call the appropriate ferry terminal ahead of time to make sure that their run has not been delayed or cancelled. 

The telephone number for the Hatteras-Ocracoke ferries is 252 986-2353. For the Ocracoke-Swan Quarter and Ocracoke-Cedar Island ferries, you can call 252 928-1665.

As you leave Ocracoke village heading towards Hatteras Island, there is a NCDOT sign indicating the status of the ferry schedule. 

No other road closures are reported at this time. However, there are areas of standing water along Highway 12 on Hatteras Island south of the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge. The road is open and passable, but drivers should proceed with caution and avoid driving through standing water if possible. 

If there are any closures or serious issues along Highway 12 or other local roads during the weekend’s stormy weather, NCDOT says they will be posted on the Traveler Information page for Dare County at http://tims.ncdot.gov/tims/RegionSummary.aspx?co=28.

Updates will also be posted on the NCDOT N.C. 12 Facebook page as they are received.