The N.C. Department of Transportation said flooding on Hatteras Island overnight was the most severe of the last few days, with water and deep sand on several portions of N.C. 12.
With the next two high tide cycles expected to produce similar results, NCDOT said it expects N.C. 12 on Hatteras to remain closed until Tuesday afternoon. The roadway is closed between Oregon Inlet and Rodanthe on Hatteras Island and from the ferry terminal to pony pens due on Ocracoke Island.
The combination of strong northeasterly winds, swells from distant Major Hurricane Teddy and higher astronomical tides are expected to continue for multiple high tide cycles through Monday.
Slow roll on @NCDOT_NC12 due to overwash in Avon this afternoon… https://t.co/700AKNXUSb
— Sam Walker OBX Today🎙📻📰 (@SamWalkerOBX) September 20, 2020
“Travelers to and from Hatteras Island are asked to avoid travel at high tide…on Sunday into Monday,” Dare County Emergency Management said in a statement issued Saturday afternoon.
The ocean began streaming under the Cape Hatteras Motel and onto N.C. 12 in north Buxton Saturday morning, which is typical with many wind and wave events.
Now in north Buxton. @JMorrowweather @mikeseidel @weatherchannel @theouterbanks @SamWalkerOBX @WAVY_News @kellycass pic.twitter.com/F5WeTGAPo7
— Janet Morrow Dawson – Cape Hatteras Motel (@JanetMDawson) September 19, 2020
Unnamed systems can create just as much havoc as a hurricane. @theouterbanksnc …#hatterasisland #obx…
Posted by Cape Hatteras Motel on Saturday, September 19, 2020
Sea water on N.C. 12 was also reported at the Canal Zone on Pea Island south of the Marc Basnight Bridge, at Mirlo Beach in Rodanthe, the Kinnakeet Shores area of Avon and at the north end of Hatteras village.
Posted by The Island Free Press on Saturday, September 19, 2020
Most recent N.C. Department of Transportation traffic camera images:
Pea Island Canal Zone
Mirlo Beach
Buxton motels
Ocracoke N.C. 12
Travelers are advised to drive slow and use caution when driving through standing water, as saltwater can heavily damage vehicles.
Water from the Pamlico Sound has also slowly risen to at least one foot above ground in parts of Ocracoke village.
Posted by Ocracoke Observer on Saturday, September 19, 2020
Those traveling to and from the four-wheel drive areas north of Corolla, including Swan Beach and Carova Beach, should also expect the beach strand to become impassible at high tide.
From the entrance at high tide. Anyone wanting to send pictures I am not going out In that mess! Thanks Brandon for the shot!
Posted by Corolla Beach Idiots on Saturday, September 19, 2020
Along the northern beach towns from Duck to Nags Head, conditions continue to be blustery. Other than some waves running up to the dunes there have been no reports of any issues so far.
Swells from distant Major Hurricane Teddy and higher than normal tides will combine to create the potential for beach erosion and overwash into early next week.
The strong winds and rough surf will also result in an increased risk of strong rip currents. Even the most experienced swimmers are advised to stay out of the ocean due to the dangerous surf conditions throughout the weekend.
National Weather Service forecast for Nags Head, as of Sunday, 5 a.m.:
