Overwash reported on N.C. Highway 12 on Saturday night

Ocean overwash was reported on several sections of N.C. Highway 12 with Saturday night’s high tide, which occurred at approximately 9:00 p.m.

As of 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, ocean overwash was reported in northern Buxton, just north of Hatteras village, Pea Island, and in northern Rodanthe near the Mirlo Beach area.

“There is over-wash covering both sides of Hwy 12 coming into Hatteras. It is still passable at this time,” stated the Dare County Sheriff’s Office in a social media update. “There is also over-wash covering Hwy 12 in the area of Cape Hatteras Motel in Buxton. It is now flowing across the road at a high rate of speed.”

The highway was still open as of 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, however, motorists are advised to avoid traveling due to flooded areas and the likelihood of continued overwash, especially during Sunday morning’s high tide at around 9:00 a.m.

Moderate to major ocean overwash is expected to continue to occur until Monday at the earliest, and impacts to N.C. Highway 12 are probable, with the highway becoming impassable at times.

15 to 20 ft. waves in the surf zone will lead to dangerous beach conditions and erosion, and soundside flooding is also probable, especially for southern Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island. Moderate to major inundation with water levels 2-4 feet above ground level is forecast along the soundside from Saturday through Monday morning, with flooding highly likely for low-lying areas immediately adjacent to the Pamlico Sound.

Peak wind gusts of 45-60 mph are forecast on Sunday through Sunday night, and a total of 2-4” inches of rainfall is also expected with the storm. Localized flash flooding is possible in low-lying areas.

For more information on the local forecast, visit www.weather.gov/mhx for general weather information, or the National Weather Service office in Newport / Morehead City’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NWSMoreheadCity/.

Northern Rodanthe as of 9:30 p.m. Video from Rick Shaftan.