By Peter Vankevich
Flooding and strong coastal winds disrupted travel across the Outer Banks on Thursday, with ferry service suspended to Ocracoke Island and a section of NC 12 closed because of severe ocean overwash.
Ocracoke residents awoke to standing water in some of the lower parts of the village and local roads. Ocracoke School opened on a one-hour delay, and its after-school program was canceled. Standing water is expected to recede and return when high tide returns.
The North Carolina Ferry Division suspended service on all three routes serving Ocracoke—Hatteras, Swan Quarter and Cedar Island—until further notice.
The N.C. Department of Transportation also announced that Thursday morning’s high tide breached the dune near the Pea Island Visitor Center. The breach caused major ocean overwash and cracks in the asphalt, prompting the closure of NC 12 between the Marc Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe on Hatteras Island.
Flooding and overwash along NC 12 are expected to worsen during upcoming high-tide cycles. The next high tides are forecast for 6:54 p.m. Thursday; 7:15 a.m. and 7:29 p.m. Friday; and 7:53 a.m. and 8:04 p.m. Saturday.
The National Weather Service reported that a low-pressure system about 300 miles east of Cape Hatteras is expected to strengthen and move slowly northward. The system is expected to prolong hazardous ocean conditions through the end of the week, including dangerous rip currents and large breaking waves.
A Coastal Flood Warning remains in effect for Ocracoke until 11 p.m. Friday. Forecasters expect 2 to 4 feet of inundation above ground level in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways. Up to 1 foot of sound-side flooding is possible as winds shift more northerly late Thursday and Friday.
Friday’s forecast calls for a slight chance of rain before 9 a.m. and again after 2 p.m., with partly sunny skies and a high near 71 degrees. North winds of 22 to 24 mph could gust as high as 32 mph, with a 20% chance of precipitation.
Friday night will be partly cloudy, with a low around 64 degrees. North winds of 16 to 21 mph could gust up to 28 mph.
Sunny weather is expected Saturday, with a high near 76 degrees and north winds of 13 to 15 mph, gusting as high as 21 mph.
