N.C. Highway 12 will reopen at noon on Thursday

N.C. Highway 12 on Hatteras and Ocracoke islands will open to traffic at noon, per a Thursday morning update from the N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT).

Standing saltwater and sand still remain on the roadway in a number of locations along N.C. Highway 12, including northern Hatteras village, Buxton, Avon, Rodanthe, Pea Island, and northern Ocracoke Island. Travelers are advised to use caution and to go slowly, as saltwater can heavily damage vehicles. 

Ferry service between Hatteras and Ocracoke will resume today with departures from Hatteras at noon, 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 6 p.m., 9 p.m. and midnight, and departures from Ocracoke at 1:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m, 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

N.C. Highway 12 has been closed since Sunday night in two locations: between Oregon Inlet and Rodanthe on Hatteras Island, and between the Pony Pens and Ferry Terminal on northern Ocracoke Island. NCDOT crews have been continually working to clear N.C. 12 since the roadway was first impacted by ocean overwash on Saturday morning.

A Coastal Flood Advisory is still in effect until 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. Large breaking waves in the surf zone will lead to an elevated risk of rip currents, and beachgoers should use caution when entering the water.

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/.

For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.