N.C. Highway 12 remains open as of Monday morning, but soundside and/or oceanside flooding has been reported in multiple areas, per a 7:00 a.m. update from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), and the roadway may not be passable for all vehicles. Travel is not advised at this time.
Conditions along the roadway per the NCDOT are as follows:
- Oregon Inlet to Mirlo Beach: Some blown sand and standing water from heavy rain last night. Passable
- Rodanthe-Waves-Salvo: Soundside flooding with 6-10 inches of water on road. Passable with extreme caution.
- Buxton to Hatteras: Blown sand and some standing rainwater. Passable.
- Ocracoke: Some ocean overwash and sand. Passable.
Per the National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City office, soundside flooding will continue to be a concern on Monday, with 2-4 feet of inundation above ground level possible on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands.
Large breaking waves as high as 6-10 feet in the surf zone could result in additional ocean overwash, although NCDOT reported that they are not expecting “any further overwash from this evening’s high tide,” which is expected to occur around 7:30 p.m. this evening.
“Our crews will be out today clearing what they can this morning, so please give them room if you must go out,” stated the NCDOT in a social media update.
Strong westerly winds of 35-45 mph are expected to continue through Monday night, although additional rainfall should be minimal as the storm moves away from the Outer Banks coastline.
Due to current weather conditions, all ferry operations on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands have been suspended.
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/.
