Outer Banks Highway Closed Again Due to Weather Conditions

DARE COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) – The main highway on the Outer Banks is closed in several areas due to severe weather. The Department of Transportation reported that Highway 12 is shut down on Ocracoke Island between the National Park Service Pony Pens and the State Ferry Terminal. It is also closed in Dare County on Pea Island, between the Marc Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe. The closures are caused by dangerous ocean overwash, which is leading to hazardous driving conditions.

The Department of Transportation anticipates that the road will reopen around noon on Wednesday. This comes as a low pressure system travels up the North Carolina coast, bringing wet and windy weather.

Residents are warned to take precautions, as high winds could exceed 50 mph along the Outer Banks. The system is creating large waves and further ocean overwash, increasing the risk of home collapses.

On Tuesday, five homes fell into the ocean, with two additional homes washed away around 11 a.m. One was located on Ocean Drive and the other on Tower Circle Road. Both homes were unoccupied. Earlier in Buxton, two homes were also destroyed by the waves.

The National Weather Service has issued a Coastal Flood Warning for Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands through Wednesday. High tide at Hatteras is expected at 12:38 p.m. Tuesday, and again on Wednesday at 1:02 a.m. and 1:36 p.m.

In light of the situation, the Cape Hatteras National Seashore has alerted the public via social media about the possibility of more homes collapsing due to these hazardous conditions. The Outer Banks has experienced some of the most severe erosion rates on the east coast in recent years, exacerbating the threat to coastal properties.