It will be a while before normal access to Ocracoke Island will resume.
Coastal flooding and high tides are expected to affect the Outer Banks through next week, while damage to N.C. 12 at Pea Island continues to disrupt access to Hatteras Island that impacts travel to Ocracoke.
Ocracoke Island is under a Coastal Flood Advisory until noon Tuesday. Water levels could reach one to two feet above ground in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways, causing shallow flooding on waterfront roads and properties. Advisories are also in effect elsewhere along the coast and along the Neuse and Bay rivers.
Gusty northeast winds and king tides are expected to bring minor to locally moderate flooding this weekend, with impacts potentially lasting into next week. Winds should ease early next week, but elevated tides are forecast through the workweek. King tides are expected to peak Monday through Thursday, with the highest levels Tuesday and Wednesday. Strong winds and waves could also worsen beach erosion, with greater impacts possible on Hatteras Island because of vulnerable dunes.
N.C. 12 has been closed between the Marc Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe since Oct. 19 because of recurring ocean overwash and damage to the road and protective dunes near the Pea Island Visitor Center, an area known as the “Canal Zone.” Additional pavement damage has been reported. These high tides are expected to prevent crews from beginning repairs and no reopening date has been announced.
Ocracoke ferry access
The Swan Quarter and Cedar Island ferries are operating on their normal schedules, while the Hatteras Inlet ferry is operating on a reduced schedule.
Emergency ferries between Rodanthe and Stumpy Point resumed Oct. 22 after N.C. 12 closed; the route had first been activated in late September when NC 12 was closed from the earlier storm.
Visitors are prohibited from entering Hatteras Island as it is under a state of emergency.
On Oct. 22, Gov. Josh Stein declared a state of emergency in Dare and Hyde counties and asked the Federal Highway Administration to provide emergency relief for N.C. 12 repairs.
“Following the back-to-back strong coastal storms that have damaged NC 12, I’ve declared a state of emergency in Dare and Hyde counties, which will allow the state to coordinate the work to restore NC 12,” Stein said. “NC 12 is essential, so I’m asking our federal partners to support immediate repairs and work with us to accelerate longer-term solutions for this vital stretch of highway. NCDOT and our federal partners are already working closely together, and we must build on that partnership to provide more reliable access to the Outer Banks.”
