NC officials warn key OBX highway will be impassible from Hurricane Erin ‘for several days’ possibly

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — North Carolina transportation officials are now plainly saying that a key Outer Banks highway will be submerged because of flooding and high surf from Hurricane Erin.

The first — and massive — hurricane of the season, Erin

is forecast to remain off the North Carolina coast, but the National Weather Service has warned of 20+ feet breaking waves along the Outer Banks coast.

N.C. 12, the main road through the Outer Banks, has flooded in the past from high surf and tidal changes. An evacuation order was issued starting Monday for Hatteras and Ocracoke islands.

Now, the N.C. Department of Transportation is warning about flooding.

“We cannot put this more bluntly: we now EXPECT there will be times over the next week that NC 12 becomes impassable due to significant ocean overwash,” the NCDOT said on an N.C. 12 social media account late Monday morning.

NCDOT traffic cameras showed lines of cars on Monday around 10 a.m. at the Ocracoke Ferry Dock North.

“In a worst-case scenario, the highway could be closed for several days. Please heed the evacuation orders and keep you and your family safe,” the N.C. 12 Facebook page said.

Meanwhile, the N.C. Ferry System said it would have maximum runs with evacuations.

“Ferries to Hatteras, Cedar Island and Swan Quarter will be running their full schedules until the evacuation process is complete,” the N.C. Ferry System wrote on Facebook late Monday morning.