OCRACOKE N.C. (WAVY) — The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has announced that NC12 on Ocracoke Island will remain closed for the next several days due to severe ocean overwash.
On Sunday, March 24 a low pressure system moved into the area causing major ocean overwash and dangerous driving conditions between the National Park Service pony pens and the South Dock ferry terminal.
Ferry service will remain suspended between Hatteras and Ocracoke until the highway reopens.
Alternatively, those who need to access or leave Ocracoke Village can use the Ferry System’s Pamlico Sound routes.
Currently, the Pamlico Sound route is operating on the following schedule.
- Ocracoke to Swan Quarter: 7 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
- Swan Quarter to Ocracoke: 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
- Ocracoke to Cedar Island: 7:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
- Cedar Island to Ocracoke: 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
NCDOT says crew are working diligently to reopen the road as soon as possible when road conditions improve.
NC12 on Pea and Hatteras islands were open Wednesday and remain passable, NCDOT said. Some secondary Hatteras Island roads were hit hard, as deep sand covered some parts of them. Crews were expected to start clearing those Wednesday.
