N.C. Highway 12 reopens on Ocracoke; Highway still 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.

N.C. Highway 12 has reopened on Ocracoke Island between the Ocracoke Pony Pens and the Hatteras-Ocracoke Ferry Terminal, however, the highway remains closed in between Oregon Inlet and Rodanthe on Hatteras Island, per a recent update from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT).

“The tide has receded [in the Mirlo Beach area], and our crews are clearing and placing sand for a protective dune,” stated the NCDOT. “We hope to reopen it this afternoon.”

Ferry service has also resumed for Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands.

After a temporary closure on Tuesday morning due to ocean overwash, northern Buxton is also open to traffic as of 11:00 a.m., however, standing water and sand remain on the roadway, and travelers are advised to use caution.

The road between Rodanthe and Oregon Inlet will reopen once NCDOT crews have had a chance to 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.

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/.