Hatteras and Ocracoke islands saw significant ocean overwash flooding Sunday, and the forecast for Monday was right on the money.
N.C. 12 remains closed from Oregon Inlet to Rodanthe and on the north end of Ocracoke this morning, after overwash covered the road again with between four and six feet of sand in some spots, along with sea water.
But it appears there has been no structural damage to the roadway according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
NCDOT has confirmed it will be Tuesday afternoon before the road can reopen between the Marc Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe, and on the north end of Ocracoke Island between the south ferry dock and the pony pens.
Crews have been working since Saturday to clear the road of sand and water while rebuilding dune lines when conditions permit, but high tide cycles have slowed or even reversed their progress.
The highway department has approximately two dozen people, along with a contingent of front-end loaders, excavators and graders working to reopen the road.
Due to the road closure, Dare County’s trash collection that would normally take place on Tuesday will now take place on Wednesday in the residential areas of Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo and Avon.
Multiple vehicles tried to ford the overwash at S-Turns north of Mirlo Beach on Monday morning, and were unsuccessful.
Video courtesy Don Bowers/Island Free Press:
NC12 remains CLOSED between the Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe, as well as on Ocracoke between the pony pens and the ferry terminal. Water and deep sand cover several sections of roadway. At this point, we expect these portions of NC12 to remain closed through Tuesday afternoon. pic.twitter.com/Zt40fFba6C
— NCDOT NC12 (@NCDOT_NC12) September 21, 2020
No Parking Between Signs #HurricaneTeddy #NC12 #OBX #DUNEXOBX pic.twitter.com/AdBRzV1HHo
— Michael Flynn (@RippleEnviro) September 21, 2020
Oceanside impacts north of Cape Hatteras, and soundside impacts along the southern Pamlico Sound including Ocracoke Island and the Core Banks, are expected to continue through Monday.
Photos from Ocracoke Island this morning. Approximately 80 yards of dunes are gone. pic.twitter.com/SrFPHdBbdB
— Cape Hatteras National Seashore (@CapeHatterasNPS) September 21, 2020
Water levels peaked during the high tide cycle late Monday morning to early afternoon.
The Diamond Shoals buoy recorded 14.8’ wave heights Sunday afternoon, and N.C. 12 from Oregon Inlet to Rodanthe remained closed to traffic most of the day.
The Diamond Shoals buoy has recorded 14.8’ wave heights.
Posted by Cape Hatteras National Seashore on Sunday, September 20, 2020
A coastal flood warning remains in effect for the Northern Outer Banks and Hatteras Island, along with high surf advisories. High astronomical tides will bring the threat for minor to moderate coastal flooding around the time of each high tide into early next week, peaking during the high tide around noon Monday, the weather service said.
Stronger winds through Monday could bring more extensive coastal flooding impacts, especially for oceanside areas north of Cape Hatteras. And strong, long period swell from distant Hurricane Teddy will affect the coast through early next week, bringing an increased potential for significant beach erosion and dune overwash.
Winds begin to subside late Monday, along with the most significant coastal flooding impacts. Rip current risk will remain elevated through the beginning to middle of next week.
