Hatteras Island Open to Traffic; Northern Ocracoke Still Closed
On the Saturday afternoon of March 23, 2024, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) informed the public that N.C. Highway 12 was now open and passable on Hatteras Island. The highway had been closed for a while due to certain weather conditions.
Surf’s Up
However, as a result of ocean overwash from Saturday morning’s high tide, there is still some standing water and sand on the roadway stretching from Oregon Inlet to Hatteras Village. This is most notably witnessed north of Hatteras Village. Drivers have been advised to maintain caution while traversing this section of the highway.
Ocracoke Island Cut Off
The northern section of Ocracoke Island, specifically the stretch of N.C. 12 from the NPS Pony Pens to the Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry terminal, remains closed with no current indication of when it will be reopened. This is due to severe ocean overwash, brought about by high tides in the early hours of Saturday morning. The road will be reopened and ferry services resumed once conditions have improved.
Until then, the Hatteras-Ocracoke, Ocracoke-Swan Quarter, and Ocracoke-Cedar Island ferries have had their services suspended due to continuing weather conditions.
Stormy Weather Ahead
A low pressure system is expected to continue affecting the Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands through the early part of next week. This system is expected to bring two surges of wind – one from the south on Saturday and the other from the north starting on Saturday evening.
Wind gusts of around 45-55 mph are predicted with northerly winds reaching their peak from Saturday evening through to Sunday, although their impact might linger into Tuesday. Coastal areas are expected to see large waves, with heights ranging from 10 to 15 feet.
Oceanside flooding of up to 2-4 feet above ground level is a possibility from Saturday night through Tuesday, and this might affect N.C. Highway 12, especially around the times of high tide which is approximately set for 7:20 p.m. on Saturday.
Flood Warnings
Meanwhile, minor to moderate sound-side flooding is expected on Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island, with flooding of 2-4 feet above ground level possible to last from late Saturday through Monday. As a result of the severe weather conditions, Coastal Flood Warning, Gale Warning, Wind Advisory, and High Surf Advisory have all come into effect for the Outer Banks.
Embarking or planning a journey? Residents and visitors alike can stay updated on the weather forecast by heading to the www.weather.gov/mhx. If you’re a ferry user, sign up for text and/or email alerts to be informed of any schedule changes directly from the terminal. Of course, for road conditions, visit DriveNC.gov and follow North Carolina Department of Transportation and NCDOT NC 12 on Facebook.
