Update: Flood-battered N.C. Highway 12 Reopens on Northern Ocracoke Island

In a significant development, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) announced the reopening of the N.C. Highway 12 on northern Ocracoke Island on Friday at 5:00 p.m. This comes as a relief to local residents and commuters since the highway has been closed due to oceanside flooding and resultant damage to the roadway.

Roadway Damage and Closure

N.C. Highway 12, stretching from Basnight Bridge to Hatteras, was previously shut down due to sand accumulation and water on the road. Additionally, the stretch on Ocracoke from the ferry terminal to the pony pens was also closed due to sand and ocean overwash following a storm. The decision to assess and reopen the road when safe came after thorough consideration from the NCDOT.

Ferry Operation Suspension

Consequentially, the Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry operations were also suspended due to deteriorating weather conditions. These included wind gusts of 25-35 mph, expected to prevail throughout the day. Additionally, conditions pointed towards the probability of further ocean overwash on Friday morning on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands, especially around high tide at 11:15 a.m.

Minor Inundation Predicted

On the soundside, forecasters predicted minor to moderately severe inundation, with floodwater levels potentially rising 1-2 ft. above dry ground. This scenario was most likely to prevail from Duck to Avon through Friday. On Thursday, an unrelated event added to the strain – a partial outage of communication services caused by damage to fiber optic cables by construction crews in Frisco further inconvenienced Hatteras Village and Ocracoke residents.

Recovery Efforts and Highway Reopening

NCDOT teams worked diligently to address the situation, removing the accumulated sand and aiding the recession of water from the roads. With the reopening of N.C. Highway 12 on Ocracoke, the Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry resumed its regular schedule too, further easing the situation for residents and tourists alike. Until further roadway repairs, traffic on the highway will proceed in one lane, and road users are advised to drive carefully and expect delays at automated traffic signals.

Stay Informed

Local residents and visitors can stay up-to-date with further developments regarding ferry delays or cancellations by subscribing for text and/or email alerts via the N.C. Ferry System’s FINS system. For latest information on road conditions, they can visit DriveNC.gov or follow the North Carolina Department of Transportation and NCDOT NC 12 on social media. The Dare County Sheriff’s Office also provides local road condition updates on its social media page.