Ocean overwash was reported on a several-mile stretch of N.C. Highway 12 on northern Ocracoke Island after Thursday morning’s high tide at approximately 6:00 a.m.
Although Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry service resumed on Wednesday after the strong northerly winds subsided, the protective berm on the northern end of the island was breached, and travel is not advised on Thursday morning unless neccesary, per multiple reports.
A minor amount of ocean overwash was also reported in northern Buxton early Thursday morning, and on the secondary roads of northern Rodanthe in the Mirlo Beach area, which is bypassed by the Jug Handle Bridge and not part of N.C. Highway 12.
There was no ocean overwash reported on Pea Island on Thursday, and N.C. Highway 12 is open and passable throughout Hatteras Island, although some sand and standing water remain in several spots on the roadway.
Travelers should use caution, and make room for North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) crews who are clearing the roadway.
Northerly winds will continue to diminish on Thursday, as temperatures begin to warm with highs reaching the low-to-mid 50s along the beaches.
- To get notified of ferry delays or cancellations, sign up for text and/or email alerts via the N.C. Ferry System’s FINS system: www.ncdot.gov/fins. Users will get notified of any schedule changes directly from the terminal, and can unsubscribe at any time.
- For updates regarding road conditions, visit DriveNC.gov and follow the North Carolina Department of Transportation and NCDOT NC 12 on Facebook. The Dare County Sheriff’s Office also shares local road condition updates on its Facebook page.
- For more information on the local weather 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/.
