Outer Banks Struck by Powerful Nor’easter: Road Closures and Flooding Reported
As the sun started to rise on Monday morning, the residents of the Outer Banks were left reeling from a powerful nor’easter that blew through the area from late Sunday night into the early hours of Monday. The storm brought heavy winds, ocean overwash flooding, and significant disruptions to daily life across Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands.
Highway Water Woes
Most notably, N.C. 12, the sole highway connecting Hatteras Island to the rest of the Outer Banks, had some serious issues after the storm. It was closed between Hatteras Village and Frisco due to flooding, but thankfully, the road reopened around 4 p.m.. However, it’s important to note that the northern end of Ocracoke Island continued to face roadway challenges. According to the N.C. Department of Transportation, they announced on social media that N.C. 12 remained closed on Ocracoke Island as teams assessed damage and cleared sand from the roadway.
Dune Rebuilding Efforts Underway
The National Park Service reported that crews worked tirelessly through the day to rebuild the dunes between Frisco and Hatteras Village, which were significantly affected by the pounding surf. Although parts of the highway are now open, they warned drivers to remain cautious as lingering deep standing water could still pose a risk.
Wind Gusts and Waves Get Serious
The storm didn’t just bring flooding; it also whipped up ferocious winds. The National Weather Service reported a peak wind gust of 75 mph recorded at Cape Lookout, about the same as a Category 1 hurricane. Just off the coast, the Diamond Shoals Buoy reported an impressive 69 mph wind gust along with towering waves nearly 29 feet high during the storm. By comparison, wave heights were a mere 10 feet just the day before! Other areas like Ocracoke and Avon saw wind gusts reach up to 67 mph, prompting concerns and preparations for coastal flooding.
Minor Flooding in Manteo and Difficult Conditions in Carova
To make matters a bit more complicated, a shift in wind direction on Monday morning caused some minor soundside flooding to occur in downtown Manteo. Traffic and travel have been tricky throughout the region as many back roads, especially in Carova, faced impassable conditions due to flooding. Many of these roads were already challenging to navigate due to their four-wheel drive-only accessibility.
Warnings Not Fully Lifted
While damaging winds appeared to ease up on Monday afternoon, the National Weather Service continued to issue high surf and coastal flooding advisories for the Outer Banks, lasting until 7 p.m.. Locals and visitors should still remain cautious as the after-effects of the storm linger, and conditions may change quickly along the coastline.
A Note for All Travelers
If you’re planning to visit or travel through the Outer Banks, be sure to stay informed about current road conditions and take necessary precautions. With crews hard at work on repairs and recovery, we hope to get everything back to normal soon!
In the meantime, let’s keep our fingers crossed for some calmer weather in the days ahead!
