N.C. Hwy. 12 open; Minor ocean overwash reported in Buxton

N.C. Highway 12 remained open and passable as of Saturday morning, although minor ocean overwash was reported in Buxton with the morning’s high tide, per an update from the Dare County Sheriff’s Office. Sand and standing water have also been reported along multiple stretches of N.C. Highway 12, and travelers should proceed with caution.

“North of Oregon Inlet, the roads and bridges are a mixture of slush and ice,” stated the Dare County Sheriff’s Office in a 9:45 a.m. press release. “NCDOT is out working on them. South of Oregon Inlet, in the area of Pea island, there is still some sand and water on the roadway. NCDOT is working on it. There is minimal ocean overwash at the Buxton Motel.”

All Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry operations remain suspended as of 10:00 a.m. on Saturday morning due to high wind conditions, making passage unsafe. The NC Ferry System will continue to assess conditions as the winds die down throughout the day.

Though the storm is expected to continue to move away from the coast on Saturday, with diminishing winds and rain along Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands, freezing temperatures are a concern for the southern Outer Banks over the weekend, with temperatures in the low 30s expected on both Saturday and Sunday nights. The public is advised to protect outdoor pets, exposed pipes, and sensitive vegetation as needed.

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/.