North Carolina Highway 12 faces flooding from nor'easter

A prolonged nor’easter is causing significant ocean overwash and flooding along North Carolina’s Highway 12 in the Outer Banks. As of Monday afternoon, overwash has reached the Pea Island Visitor Center and the northern end of Ocracoke Island due to strong northeast winds, elevated water levels, and beach erosion.

The National Weather Service warns that high tide cycles through Thursday, October 22, could bring even higher ocean water levels, potentially reaching 2 to 4 feet above ground level. This poses a risk of additional flooding, highway closures, and the collapse of vulnerable oceanfront homes, particularly in Rodanthe.

Access to Hatteras Island remains restricted for visitors due to the ongoing storm threat, while a travel advisory is in effect for Ocracoke to prevent residents and visitors from becoming isolated. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has been working to clear wind-blown sand from the roadway and reinforce protective dunes near Pea Island.