Ocean overwash likely with Monday afternoon’s high tide; Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry remains suspended

May 9, 2022 | Local News | By: Joy Crist

While minor ocean overwash was reported with the early morning 2:30 a.m. high tide in Buxton and northern Rodanthe, N.C. Highway 12 remained open and passable throughout as of Monday morning, with minimal amounts of water and blowing sand on the roadway. However, additional ocean overwash is expected up to several hours before Monday afternoon’s high tide, which is at approximately 2:30 p.m.

Residents and visitors are advised to move vehicles away from areas that are prone to flooding along the oceanside, and particularly in northern Buxton, northern Rodanthe, and near Ocean View Drive in Avon.

The Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry is still suspended due to high wind conditions, and Cape Hatteras Schools will have an early release on Monday, with the elementary school releasing at 11:30 a.m. and the secondary school releasing at 12:00 p.m.

A low pressure system will continue to linger off the Outer Banks through Wednesday, and ocean overwash is expected to become more impactful with each successive high tide cycle. N.C. Highway 12 may become impassable for prolonged periods of time in the next several days.

Along the soundside, 1 to 3 feet of inundation for very low-lying areas will result in minor flooding of properties and some roadways, particularly for Ocracoke Island and southern Hatteras Island. Water levels will likely peak on Monday night.

Winds will continue to increase with maximum wind gusts of 45-50 mph currently forecast through Tuesday. Winds will peak late Monday night throughout the Outer Banks, then gradually diminish through the middle of the week.

Powerful surf with offshore wave heights up to 20 ft. and dangerous rip currents can also be expected for all Outer Banks beaches north of Cape Lookout.

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/.