Public advised to avoid travel Sunday night due to sand, water on N.C. Highway 12

The public is advised to avoid travel on Sunday night if possible, as sand and standing water have been reported on multiple stretches of N.C. Highway 12, per a 7:30 p.m. update from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT).

“There is currently strong wind and heavy rain at many locations on Hatteras Island,” stated the NCDOT in a social media update. “NC12 is open, but travel tonight is TREACHEROUS. Don’t go out unless you absolutely have to.”

NCDOT also provided the following updates on specific locations:

• Oregon Inlet to Pea Island Visitor Center: no overwash, many areas of standing water and blown sand. Roadway is passable.
• Mirlo Beach (pictured above): Some minor ocean overwash, roadway passable.
• Buxton: Minor overwash, roadway passable.
• Hatteras: Some blown sand on roadway, standing rainwater at several locations. Roadway passable.
• Ocracoke: Moderate ocean overwash, sand on roadway. Roadway passable.

NCDOT crews will remain out until about 7:30 p.m. tonight clearing sand and water. Crews will return in the morning, prior to Monday’s high tide at approximately 7:00 a.m.

A Coastal Flood Warning, High Wind Warning, High Surf Advisory, and Storm Warning remain in effect.

Moderate to minor overwash, with the greatest threat from the northern Outer Banks to Ocracoke, is possible through Monday.

Minor to moderate soundside flooding is also forecasted with the storm and could occur overnight, with 2-4 ft. above-ground-level water level rises possible from Ocracoke to the northern Outer Banks.

Strong winds with gusts up to 50-60 mph are probable along the Outer Banks from Sunday through Monday, with offshore seas up to 20’ feet. Heavy rains of 1.5-2 inches could also result in localized flooding of low-lying areas.

Due to current weather conditions, all ferry operations on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands have been suspended.

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/.