Coastal Flood Warning Continues; Minor Ocean Overwash reported in Buxton

Coastal regions in the area around the Outer Banks continue to face a Coastal Flood Warning. Areas stretching from Duck to Cape Lookout are on high alert as the threat of ocean overwash and beach erosion persist through the midweek. The long-period northeasterly swell is amplifying the threat, especially in vulnerable locations.

Oceanside Hazards

A combination of the flood warning, a Gale Warning, and a High Surf Advisory persists for the regions of the Outer Banks. Surf zone waves as high as between 10 to 15 feet are anticipated across all beaches in the Outer Banks. Consequently, oceanside flooding of ranges of 2-4 feet above the ground level could occur until the early hours of Tuesday. All coastal regions and islands, including Hatteras and Ocracoke, are bracing for the effects of the swell and resulting overwash.

Impacted Infrastructure

Northern Ocracoke Island has seen N.C. Highway 12 shut down, stretching from the Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry terminal to the NPS Pony Pens. The repeated cycles of ocean overwash have necessitated the closure. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) aims to reopen the highway and resume ferry services by Monday. Other suspended ferry operations include the Hatteras-Ocracoke, Ocracoke-Swan Quarter, and the Ocracoke-Cedar ferry operations. These remain suspended as of Sunday evening.

On Hatteras Island, though some sand and standing water have been reported on the highway, particularly on Pea Island, the highway remains largely operational for the time being. Sunday evening saw minor ocean overwash in Buxton ahead of the approximate high tide at 8:00 p.m. NCDOT crews are actively working to clear the roadway of debris and water.

High Tide Warning

The ocean overwash that’s affecting the N.C. Highway 12 is most anticipated to occur during high tide. Following Sunday night’s incident, the next high tide is predicted to occur at 8:20 a.m. on Monday.

Necessary Alerts and Information

Providing flood and weather information, storm warnings, and other necessary updates are prominent websites including weather.gov/mhx and facebook.com/NWSMoreheadCity/. Individuals seeking alerts for ferry delays or cancellations can sign up for text and/or email alerts through the N.C. Ferry System’s FINS system at ncdot.gov/fins.

For real-time road conditions and updates, visitors and residents can visit DriveNC.gov and the official Facebook pages of the North Carolina Department of Transportation and NCDOT NC 12. The Dare County Sheriff’s Office frequently updates road conditions on its Facebook page as well.