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Outer Banks, NC Traffic Alert: NC 12 Closed, Flooding Oct. 27-29
Morehead City, NC – Coastal flooding is creating hazardous conditions across eastern North Carolina Tuesday, Oct. 27, with portions of NC Highway 12 closed on Hatteras Island as unusually high tides t
By Audrey Sloan · 2026-10-27T11:21:35.933Z
Morehead City, NC – Coastal flooding is creating hazardous conditions across eastern North Carolina Tuesday, Oct. 27, with portions of NC Highway 12 closed on Hatteras Island as unusually high tides threaten roads, parking lots and low lying coastal communities through Thursday, Oct. 29.
According to the National Weather Service in Newport/Morehead City, persistent king tides are producing minor coastal flooding across the Outer Banks, Crystal Coast, Down East communities and portions of Onslow County.
Floodwaters could reach 1 to 2 feet above ground level in affected low lying areas.
NC 12 Remains Closed on Hatteras Island
The National Weather Service reports that NC 12 between the Marc Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe remains closed because of ocean overwash.
No reopening timeline has been announced in the supplied update.
The greatest oceanside flooding impacts are expected along Hatteras Island, where elevated water levels continue to threaten vulnerable stretches of coastline.
Motorists should avoid flooded roads and monitor official transportation updates before traveling.
King Tides Peak Tuesday and Wednesday
Coastal flooding concerns will continue through Thursday, with the highest impacts expected Tuesday and Wednesday.
Along the Outer Banks, oceanside high tides are expected around 8:30 a.m. and 9 p.m. Tuesday.
Farther south, soundside high tides are expected around 10:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m., with Tuesday morning's tide forecast to be higher.
Flooding has already affected some parking lots, yards and roads in vulnerable coastal communities.
Warm Weather Does Not Eliminate Flood Risk
Despite the flooding concerns, eastern North Carolina will experience partly cloudy skies and above average temperatures Tuesday.
New Bern and Jacksonville could reach 76 degrees, while Morehead City is forecast near 72 degrees.
The National Weather Service indicates that lighter winds have reduced flooding concerns along portions of the Neuse and Bay rivers, although coastal impacts remain possible elsewhere.
Residents should avoid driving through flooded roadways and continue monitoring tide forecasts as Halloween weekend approaches.
Additional updates are available at weather.gov/mhx .