NCDOT

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is opening a temporary roadway to restore travel on N.C. 12, the vital coastal route through the Outer Banks frequently damaged by storms and washouts. The interim road will let drivers and residents move through the affected stretch while permanent repairs are completed. Local residents and travelers who depend on the route for access to barrier-island communities are watching the reopening closely.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation says sections of Highway 12, the main route along the Outer Banks, remain closed after ocean water washed over the road. Drivers are being kept off the affected stretches while crews assess conditions and wait for water to recede. Travelers in the area should expect delays and check updates before heading north or south along the barrier islands.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation says sections of NC 12, the main route along the Outer Banks, remain closed after ocean overwash covered parts of the road. Drivers are being warned to expect disruptions until crews can clear sand and water and confirm the highway is safe to reopen. NC 12 is the only road linking many Outer Banks communities, so closures typically affect residents, visitors and emergency access.