N.C. Highway 12 on northern Ocracoke Island closes due to flooding; Soundside flooding reported in multiple areas of Hatteras Island
12:00 P.M. UPDATE: Soundside flooding has now been reported throughout Hatteras Island in Hatteras Village, Frisco, Avon (and north of Avon), the Tri-Villages, and Pea Island. Travel is not advised.
N.C. Highway 12 on northern Ocracoke Island is closed between the Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry terminal and the National Park Service Pony Pens due to excessive flooding, per an update from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). Ferry service between Hatteras and Ocracoke, (as well as Ocracoke-mainland routes), has been suspended.
Soundside flooding has also been reported in several locations throughout Hatteras Island, especially the Tri-Villages communities of Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo, and on Pea Island in between the Jug Handle and Capt. Richard Etheridge Bridges.
Additional flooding was also reported in Avon and Hatteras Village as of 11:45 a.m.
“NC12 is open [on Hatteras Island], but travel is difficult,” stated NCDOT in an 11:30 a.m. update. “Slow down and drive with EXTREME caution if you must go out today.
Minor to moderate soundside flooding is expected throughout the day on Tuesday, and inundation of 2-3 ft. is forecast, with locally higher amounts of up to 4 ft. possible, especially from Oregon Inlet to Frisco.
Minor coastal flooding of 1-2 feet above ground level is also forecast for soundside areas near Hatteras Village through Tuesday, as well as for the northern Outer Banks communities. Up to 3 ft. of flooding in these areas is possible, especially in low-lying areas.
The greatest impacts are expected to occur on Tuesday morning and afternoon. Additionally, wind gusts of 45-50 mph are likely along the Outer Banks, and widespread 2-3″ of total rainfall is expected, but a flash flood threat remains negligible.
- 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/.
- 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.
