Key highway closes at NC Outer Banks amid flood warning, waves up to 15 feet

Rodney Overton
·2 min read

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Amid flood and gale warnings at the North Carolina coast, weather conditions forced the closure of the key highway along the Outer Banks Saturday afternoon, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

N.C. 12, which runs the length of the chain of islands, will likely be closed until Sunday afternoon, officials said.

The NCDOT said the road closure was because of “sand and overwash.”

NCDOT image
NCDOT image

Just after noon, the NCDOT announced N.C. 12 was closed on the north end of Ocracoke Island between the Pony Pens at Cape Hatteras National Seashore and the Ferry Terminal due to sand and overwash on the road.

Outer Banks wildlife refuge voted one of the best in the U.S.

“The potential for coastal flooding along the sound and ocean will increase with the northerly winds and the building surf,” the Dare County Sheriff’s Office said Saturday.

Ferry service between Hatteras and Ocracoke islands has been suspended.

NCDOT image
NCDOT image

A high surf advisory is in effect for much of the Outer Banks with “large breaking waves” between 10 and 15 feet, the National Weather Service warned.

Meanwhile, there is a coastal flood advisory for the Northern Outer Banks and a more serious coastal flood warning for East Carteret County, Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island through Monday.

Between two to four feet of flooding is possible in some areas near shorelines and tidal waterways, leading to possible property damage, forecasters warned.

“Flooding will extend inland from the waterfront threatening some homes and businesses. Numerous road closures and flooding of vehicles will be possible,” the National Weather Service said.

Until 8 a.m. Monday, the weather service issued a gale warning with winds 28 to mph knots with gusts up to 51 mph and seas 14 to 22 feet.

WAVY-TV also reported ferry service between Cedar Island, Swan Quarter and Ocracoke has been suspended due to high winds on Pamlico Sound.

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