Breaches, damage reported on NC 12 from high tides at the Outer Banks after Hurricane Erin: Officials

DARE COUNTY, N.C. (WNCN) — Officials at the Outer Banks are still cleaning up a day after Hurricane Erin came close to the coast, this time due to waves crashing against the dunes. Swimming has also been impacted by the aftermath of Erin due to potential septic exposure.

In a Friday morning update, the North Carolina Department of Transportation said the morning high tides opened up two huge breaches along N.C. Highway 12 in Dare County.

One breach was reportedly 30 feet at the Pea Island Visitor Center, and the other was 200 feet at the Canal Zone just south of Oregon Inlet.

“Our crews are out clearing and rebuilding dune, and at the very least we still have no indication of pavement damage,” officials said, “but NC 12 remains closed at the Marc Basnight Bridge and on the north end of Ocracoke at this time.”

CBS 17 previously reported that the rip current risk was high Thursday immediately following Hurricane Erin’s close encounter to the coast.

In their latest advisory at 5 a.m. Friday, the National Weather Service has issued a Coastal Flood Advisory and High Surf Advisory for the Outer Banks until midnight.

State recreational officials issued a precautionary water quality swimming advisory due to exposed septic drain fields and pumping of ocean overwash to the ocean surf. They said the advisory is in effect in and between the Villages of Rodanthe and Buxton on NC 12.

“Hurricane Erin caused extensive erosion and storm surge in this area,” officials said in a release. “State officials are monitoring the situation and will lift the advisory when bacteriological test results come back within state and federal standards and 24 hours after pumping has ceased when the risk of exposure is no longer a concern.”

Officials with the Cape Hatteras National Seashore have urged the public since Wednesday to stay away from the beach at least until the end of the week. “The Seashore has temporarily closed the beachfront in the Villages of Rodanthe and Buxton to the presence of threatened oceanfront structures that may be damaged,” officials said in a social media post. “These beach areas will be assessed as marine conditions subside and reopened as soon as any hazardous debris, if present, can be removed.”

They did not disclose how much from the septic drain fields got into shore waters.

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