Ocean Overwash Continues to Impact the Islands After Sunday Morning’s High Tide; All Ferry Operations Remain Suspended

November 17, 2019 | Local News

Northern Rodanthe close to Sunday morning’s high tide. Photo by Don Bowers.

Ocean overwash continued to impact N.C. Highway 12 several hours after Sunday morning’s high tide, which occurred at approximately 10:30 a.m. Deep ocean water was reported in Avon from Ace Hardware to north of the Avon Pier, from Rodanthe to Oregon Inlet, and in northern Buxton.

Avon on midday Sunday. Photo by Don Bowers

Significant oceanside flooding was also reported on N.C. Highway 12 on Ocracoke Island, and ferry operations for all seven N.C. Ferry System routes remain suspended. State transportation officials say the storm has brought some flooding to Cedar Island, which is one of the two mainland ferry routes to Ocracoke. Officials with the Ferry Division will continue to assess the storm’s impacts and will announce when it is safe to resume ferry operations.

Conditions may improve by late afternoon, however another cycle of ocean overwash is probable with Sunday night’s high tide at approximately 11 p.m. Per the National Weather Service (NWS) Newport / Morehead City office, the most significant overwash during the storm was likely during Sunday morning’s high tide cycle.

A Coastal Flood Warning remains in effect until 1:00 a.m. on Monday, and storm surge and beach erosion are expected throughout the day.

Ocean View Drive in Avon midday Sunday. Photo by Don Bowers.

NCDOT reported at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday morning that N.C. Highway 12 is still closed between Oregon Inlet and Rodanthe, and the highway will only be reopened when state transportation officials determine it is safe to do so.

NCDOT says no structural damage is apparent to N.C. Highway 12 as of Sunday morning, but part of the road is covered with sand and overwash. Transportation officials will continue to assess the road, and NCDOT crews are currently using front-end loaders and other equipment to remove sand from the highway in multiple locales.

The strong low pressure system is expected to move north to the New England region on Monday or Monday night, and conditions on the Outer Banks should noticeably improve by late Monday or Tuesday. Confidence is decreasing that soundside flooding will impact Hatteras Island, and heavy rains will continue to mostly remain offshore.

Northern Buxton just after high tide on Sunday morning. Photo by Janet Morrow Dawson.

Wind gusts of 60 mph were recorded on Saturday at Oregon Inlet, and wind gusts of 59 mph were recorded in Avon and Rodanthe on Saturday as well. Winds have diminished as of Sunday afternoon, however, some gusts of 40-45 mph will still be possible throughout the day.

For information about current road conditions from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), visit drivenc.gov or dial 511. When dialing 511 on weekdays from 8:15 a.m. to 7:45 p.m., weekends from 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., callers speak directly with an operator who can answer traffic and travel-related questions. Overnight and during emergencies, travelers should go to DriveNC.gov for the latest travel information. For real-time travel information, 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.