DARE COUNTY, N.C. (WAVY) — Parts of NC 12 on the Outer Banks have been closed every day this week due to flooding caused by high tide/overwash.
Thursday morning, the Dare County Sheriff’s Office said the overnight high tide caused overwash and blew sand at Mirlo Beach and the Pea Island Visitor Center. The good news is it wasn’t as severe as the previous high tides.
The Sheriff’s Office said crews were out Thursday clearing the roadway and hope to have it reopened by early afternoon. Crews are also busy rebuilding the impacted dunes and berms.
Drivers are encouraged to use caution.
On Tuesday, NCDOT said NC 12 is closed between Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe on Hatteras Island and between Oregon Inlet and Rodanthe. There were also areas that are passable but with deep standing water, NCDOT says.
NCDOT said NC 12 would remain closed from Oregon Inlet to the village of Rodanthe for the remainder of the day Tuesday due to high tide in the afternoon.
High tide in the area was at 3 a.m. Tuesday and was expected to be high again around 4 p.m., though at lower levels.
Ferry services were suspended to Ocracoke and Knotts Island, and Cape Hatteras Elementary School and Cape Hatteras Secondary School were closed Tuesday due to flooding. It was a remote instruction day.
All other district schools operated on a regular schedule.
Tuesday is expected to be the last day of higher flooding, with tides going down to minor levels starting Wednesday.
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