N.C. 12 currently impassable in Buxton; Highway closed between Rodanthe and Oregon Inlet

2:00 UPDATE: N.C. Highway 12 has reopened between Rodanthe and Oregon Inlet, per a 1:45 p.m. update from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). Travelers are advised to drive with care, as there are still areas of light sand and standing water on the roadway.

11:30 a.m. UPDATE: N.C. Highway 12 is open to traffic on northern Ocracoke Island, and Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry operations have resumed. The roadway remains closed in between Rodanthe and Oregon Inlet. 

11:00 a.m. UPDATE: N.C. Highway 12 is open to traffic in northern Buxton, however, some sand and saltwater remain on the roadway. Travelers are advised to proceed with caution. 

9:30 a.m. UPDATE: N.C. Highway 12 is temporarily closed on northern Ocracoke Island, per a Tuesday update from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT.) The Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry route has also temporarily suspended operations due to the road closure.

N.C. Highway 12 is currently impassable and temporarily closed in northern Buxton as of 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, due to ocean overwash, per multiple reports from travelers. NCDOT crews are working to clear the roadway, which was affected by Tuesday morning’s 8:30 a.m. high tide.

N.C. Highway 12 is also closed between Rodanthe and Oregon Inlet as of Tuesday morning, due to worsening conditions at the dune breach in the Mirlo Beach area, per an update from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). The road will reopen once NCDOT crews have had a chance to assess and clear the roadway. The Island Free Press will post updates as soon as possible, and the public can also view https://drivenc.gov/ for real-time updates.

Some standing water also remains on the roadway in other locations, such as Hatteras village, Frisco, and north Avon, due to soundside flooding that occurred on Monday.

Though conditions are expected to improve on Tuesday, minor coastal flooding impacts may continue this morning across the Crystal Coast, Downeast Carteret, and soundside Ocracoke. Around 1-2 feet of inundation is possible at high tide this morning for Ocracoke Island, which is roughly 9 a.m. Flooding of very low-lying roads and areas is probable, though soundside flooding is not expected to be as bad as yesterday.

An 86 mph wind gust was recorded at Oregon Inlet on Monday, per the National Weather Service, while Avon recorded a peak wind gust of 66 mph and Hatteras/Frisco recorded a peak wind gust of 56 mph. Winds will continue to diminish on Tuesday as the coastal low pressure system moves away from the Outer Banks.

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/.