N.C. Highway 12 reopens on northern Ocracoke Island; Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry service resumes

N.C. Highway 12 has reopened on northern Ocracoke Island, per a Thursday morning update from the National Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT).

The roadway from the NPS Pony Pens to the Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry docks was closed on Wednesday, January 10. due to severe ocean overwash.

Now that the roadway has reopened, Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry service will resume starting with the 12:00 p.m. departure from Ocracoke and the 1:00 p.m. departure from Hatteras. Travelers are advised that some sand and water remain on the highway on the northern end of Ocracoke Island.

All other portions of N.C. Highway 12 are open and passable with some areas of sand and standing water. Another cold front is expected to impact the Outer Banks starting Friday evening, bringing the potential for severe weather, marine hazards, strong winds, and minor coastal flooding,

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/.