NCDOT advises public to avoid travel on N.C. Highway 12

With soundside flooding on N.C. Highway 12 reported from northern Avon to Oregon Inlet, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is advising the public to avoid travel until the high winds diminish and the water recedes.

“As the winds shifted around this morning, we are now experiencing significant soundside flooding in parts of Dare County, especially along NC-12 on Hatteras Island,” stated NCDOT in an online update. “For now, travel is NOT RECOMMENDED until the flooding recedes. Stay safe and DO NOT drive through floodwaters.”

Multiple areas of N.C. Highway 12 are inundated with soundside flooding as of noon on Friday.

Affected areas include Avon Village, northern Avon, the stretch of roadway from Avon to Salvo, the Tri-villages, and portions of Pea Island towards Oregon Inlet. Authorities were reportedly advising motorists heading north onto Hatteras Island to turn around as of noon on Friday, per several reports.

Winds will peak between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Friday, with maximum wind gusts up to 48 mph. Water levels are expected to start receding Friday afternoon or evening.

The strong southwest winds will continue to make soundside flooding probable throughout the day, especially north of Buxton.

Dare County schools released students early on Friday due to deteriorating road conditions.

The Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry, and all ferries from Ocracoke to Cedar Island and Swan Quarter, were suspended as of Friday morning due to high winds.

For information about current road conditions from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), visit  DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.

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/.

The Island Free Press will continue to post updates as soon as they become available.