Ocean Overwash Possible Again with Monday Night’s High Tide

Ocean overwash and standing water was reported on multiple stretches of N.C. Highway 12 on Monday morning, and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) warned that overwash is possible again with the next high tide at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Monday night.

“That massive Atlantic storm bringing heavy snow to the northeast also brought mild to moderate ocean overwash along N.C. 12 on the Outer Banks this morning…” stated the NCDOT update. “N.C. 12 remains open, but motorists should drive with EXTREME caution due to ponding water on the roadway. Overwash is possible again during tonight’s high tide at 10:30.”

Ocean overwash was reported roughly an hour before Monday morning’s 9:30 a.m. high tide in northern Buxton and on Ocracoke Island just north of the NPS Pony Pens.

Minor standing water and / or ocean overwash was also reported near the S-Curves in Rodanthe and northern Pea Island. Standing rainwater is an issue in several additional spots along the highway, due to 1.5-2″ inches of rainfall that occurred on Sunday.

For updated driving conditions across the state, visit the NCDOT’s website at https://drivenc.gov/.