Outer Banks' only highway closes as ocean threatens to wash away cars

The only highway connecting the fragile barrier islands of North Carolina’s Outer Banks was closed just before 7 a.m. Friday as rough surf tore through dunes and washed across travel lanes.

Department of Transportation officials tweeted they were closing N.C. 12 after travel became increasingly dangerous during high tide.

“We have moderate to severe ocean overwash in several places along NC 12 between the Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe,” NCDOT said just after 8 a.m. “As a safety precaution, we are closing that entire stretch of road until conditions improve....Unfortunately, more of the same is expected over the next few high tide cycles.”

Reports on social media said some vehicles had become stuck in the area of the highway known as “the S curve” after being hit by waves.

Read more: https://www.greensboro.com/news/state/outer-banks-only-highway-closes-as-ocean-threatens-to-wash/article_86622302-32ee-53c8-87aa-dfb1be12a56c.html