N.C. Highway 12 will remain closed until at least Wednesday afternoon…WITH VIDEO

Per an update from NCDOT, Tuesday’s high tide is severely hampering efforts to reopen N.C. Highway 12 on Hatteras and Ocracoke islands. NCDOT crews are working to clear sand and water off the road, but the reopening time of N.C. 12 has been pushed back to 2 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon.

Ocean overwash was impacting N.C. Highway 12 and adjacent roadways up to two hours before Tuesday’s high tide at noon, per multiple reports. Overwash was starting to inundate N.C. Highway 12 in northern Buxton, Avon, Pea Island, northern Rodanthe, and Avon. Travelers are advised to use caution and to avoid driving in these areas if possible, as saltwater can heavily damage vehicles.

As of 1:00 p.m., traffic was stopped in Northern Buxton due to multiple cars getting stuck in deep saltwater and sand that coincided with high tide. Soundside flooding was also reported in Hatteras village, and residents in visitors in low-lying areas in Hatteras are advised to move their vehicles.

Coastal flooding and ocean overwash will continue through mid-week for Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island, peaking at high tide around 12:00 p.m. today. A high threat of rip currents also continues for all area beaches on Tuesday, and will likely linger for the next several days as distant Teddy continues to move north, and away from the Mid-Atlantic coastline.

The Coastal Flood Warning for the Northern Outer Banks and Hatteras Island has been extended into Tuesday afternoon to account for the next high tide cycle, per a Monday afternoon update from the National Weather Service (NWS) Newport / Morehead City office.

The combination of seasonal high tides, strong northeast winds, and long-form waves created by Hurricane Teddy has caused ocean conditions that have broken through protective dunes and deposited large amounts of sand and saltwater on the road. In some spots, the sand on the highway is four-to-six feet deep. However, per a Monday evening update from NCDOT, no structural damage to the road has been observed.

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/.

Buxton at noon on Tuesday. Videos by Don Bowers