N.C. 12 is now closed between the Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe due to moderate to severe ocean overwash. Cape Hatteras elementary and secondary schools are closed for the day.
Overwash was also reported in the Kinnakeet Shores area of Avon and at the motels on the north end of Buxton.
NCDOT officials say they expect to reopen the road by 6 p.m.
Overwash is expected to continue as a nor’easter stalls off the coast, bringing rough surf and higher-than-normal tides.
Seas will run between 10 to 14 feet just offshore from Cape Hatteras North, and a high surf advisory has been posted until Saturday morning for breaking waves of 6 to 9 feet onshore.
South of Cape Hatteras, seas will run 6 to 9 feet and an onshore break of 4 to 6 feet.
The most likely time of overwash will be at high tide Friday at 7:18 a.m. and 7:26 p.m., and at 7:51 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday