Ocean overwash reported ahead of Sunday morning’s high tide

September 20, 2020 | Local News | By: Joy Crist

10:45 a.m. UPDATE: Due to severe overwash at different locations on N.C. Highway 12 between Oregon Inlet and Rodanthe, the highway has been closed. Barricades are in place in Rodanthe and on the north side of the bridge. Per NCDOT, no reopening estimate is available at this time.

Ocean overwash was reported in several hotspots on N.C. Highway 12 and adjacent roadways ahead of Sunday morning’s high tide, which is at approximately 10:00 a.m.

North Buxton at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday night. Photo by Jess Nonnenmocher

Overwash was reported in the Ocean View Drive area of Avon, Mirlo Beach, north Buxton and Pea Island, and overwash is expected in additional hotspots during the next several high tide cycles.

Peak water levels will be similar to yesterday, although impacts could be more severe in areas where dune structures have already been compromised.

Ocean overwash was also reported with Saturday night’s 10:00 p.m. high tide, and standing water from previous high tide cycles may also remain on the roadways.

Travelers should note that N.C. Highway 12 could continue to be impacted over the next several days, and especially in the following areas that are prone to ocean overwash:

South of the Basnight Bridge to the Pea Island Visitor Center
Mirlo Beach area, on the northern edge of the tri-villages
South of the Avon Pier along Ocean View Drive
At the north end of Buxton
Between Frisco and Hatteras Village
Along Pole Rd., south of Ramp 55 in Hatteras village
Along the north end of Ocracoke island

The next high tide is around 10:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Dangerous seas are expected today with a High Surf Advisory in effect for all area beaches. The highest waves are forecast north of Cape Hatteras, with peak heights of 8-12 feet.

These conditions will likely bring life-threatening conditions on and just off area beaches, and all beach-goers should use extreme caution along the shoreline. Per the National Park Service, most, if not all, off-road vehicle routes will be inaccessible and should be avoided.

Impacts will continue through Sunday and into early next week. The rip current risk is expected to remain elevated for all Hatteras and Ocracoke island beaches for the next several days as well.

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/.