Outer Banks highway closed Monday as Hurricane Teddy continues flooding NC, SC coasts
Hurricane Teddy has forced an Outer Banks highway to remain closed as it continues bringing dangerous conditions to the North and South Carolina coasts Monday.
The storm was located about 150 miles east-southeast of Bermuda and was moving north-northeast at 14 mph with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph, the National Hurricane Center said at 11 a.m. EDT Monday. Its current track doesn’t show it making landfall in the United States as it heads toward Canada.
But “large swells” and “life-threatening” rip currents are impacting the east coast of the United States on Monday, forecasters say.
Strong rip currents, large breaking waves, coastal flooding and ocean overwash are all expected “into this week,” the NWS’s Wilmington office tweeted Sunday.
“Please use extra caution if heading to the beach,” the tweet says.
Portions of N.C. 12 on North Carolina’s Outer Banks closed Sunday due to ocean overwash, according to the NWS’s Newport/Morehead office.
Now officials say the highway could stay closed until Tuesday afternoon as water and “deep sand” are covering the roadway.
Additionally, the passenger ferry that runs between Harkers Island and Beaufort will halt this weekend, officials announced Friday, according to McClatchy News.
“No swimming” flags were also posted on some area beaches Sunday.
“The ocean is demanding respect today,” the NWS tweeted.
The North and South Carolina coasts remain under a high rip current risk Monday, according to the National Weather Service.
“The surf zone is dangerous for all levels of swimmers. Stay out of the water. Remember to heed the advice of the local beach patrol and flag warning systems,” the weather service says.
Flooding was also reported in the Charleston, South Carolina, area early Sunday afternoon. Some roads were closed in response, officials said. Flooding was possible along the entire coast line.
Coastal flooding in the area is expected to continue Monday, the NWS says.
Dangerous conditions are expected to continue into this week.
The northern Outer Banks and Hatteras Island are under a coastal flood warning until 2 p.m. Monday, a high surf advisory until 8 p.m. Wednesday. Two to 4 feet of flooding are possible and breaking waves could reach between 8 and 12 feet, forecasters say.
Coastal Onslow and West Carteret counties are under a coastal flood advisory until 8 p.m. Monday and a high surf advisory until 8 a.m. Tuesday, the NWS says. Between 1 and 2 feet of inundation are possible.
“Flooding will extend inland from the waterfront threatening some homes and businesses,” the weather service says. “Numerous road closures and flooding of vehicles will be possible. Dangerous swimming and surfing conditions and localized beach erosion. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water.”
East Carteret and Ocracoke Island are under a coastal flood advisory until 8 p.m. Monday and a high surf advisory until 8 a.m. Wednesday. Between 1 and 3 feet of inundation are possible and waves could reach between 6 and 8 feet in the surf zone, forecasters say.
The NWS’s Wilmington office also issued a coastal flood advisory in effect until 2 p.m. Monday. A high surf advisory is in effect until 2 p.m. Tuesday for coastal Pender and New Hanover counties.
Breaking waves could reach 8 feet and 1 to 2 feet of inundation are possible in “low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways,” the weather service says.
The South Carolina coast is also under a high surf advisory until late Monday afternoon, forecasters say, with parts under coastal flooding watches, warnings and advisories through much of Sunday. “Nearshore” waters are also under Gale warning through early Monday, with small craft advisories needed likely through the middle of the week.
A high rip current risk is also expected along the entire coast through Monday, with a moderate risk starting Tuesday, the NWS’s Charleston office says
Along the coast, forecasters recommend allowing extra time for travel due to potential road closures.
“Do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth. Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property,” the weather service says.
North/northeast winds are expected to persist until Tuesday along the coast.
The impacts come just days after remnants of Hurricane Sally brought “widespread flooding” to the North Carolina coast, McClatchy News previously reported.
This story was originally published September 20, 2020 at 12:22 PM.
