NCDOT preparing ahead of coastal storm; N.C. 12 will likely be impacted by flooding this weekend
A storm forecast to hit coastal North Carolina this weekend could make travel conditions dangerous on low-lying coastal roads, especially N.C. Highway 12 on the Outer Banks, per a recent update from the NCDOT.
N.C. Department of Transportation officials on Friday used heavy equipment to push sand onto dunes from Pea Island to Ocracoke, and then staged graders, excavators, and other equipment along potential trouble spots to respond in case conditions worsen through the weekend.
In its Friday statement, the National Weather Service forecast with high confidence that the storm could bring wind gusts greater than 50 mph, heavy rain, and flooding on N.C. 12 from the sound and the ocean.
These conditions could force the closure of N.C. 12 if flooding or wind-driven sand inundates the road, per NCDOT.
The storm is expected to hit coastal areas hardest between Saturday night and Monday morning. The greatest threat of ocean overwash is around the morning high tides on Sunday and Monday, (around 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. respectively), although impacts to N.C. Highway 12 are possible on Saturday and Tuesday as well.
Digital message boards along N.C. 12 were updated Friday to alert travelers of possible dangerous driving conditions.
Before traveling on the Outer Banks or in low-lying coastal areas this weekend, people are urged to check the current driving conditions at DriveNC.gov and stay tuned to NCDOT on social media.
