4 feet of flooding as storm risks, NC Highway 12 closures continue on Outer Banks

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A storm is battering the North Carolina coast, closing sections of a major highway and leaving part of the Outer Banks under 4 feet of water.

Threats of large waves, strong winds and flooding from the Nor’easter are expected to continue Friday, Sept. 25, and could affect parts of the state through the weekend.

“Coastal impacts of minor to moderate coastal flooding, beach erosion and ocean overwash at vulnerable locations remain possible, especially north of Ocracoke Inlet,” N.C. Emergency Management wrote in an email update. “Roads along the Outer Banks may be dangerous to traverse.”

Pics from Pea Island this morning. The road is currently covered in 4′ of water in some areas, as well as deep sand. At this point, it is impossible to assess the extent of any road damage, but once we do, we will have a better idea of repair/reopening options. pic.twitter.com/6lx5zQBSzk

Photos posted online show parts of N.C. Highway 12, the main thoroughfare on the Outer Banks, were underwater. As of early Sept. 25, the N.C. Department of Transportation said the highway is closed at these stretches:

On Pea Island, officials said parts of the road are covered in sand and 4 feet of water, making it “impossible to assess the extent of any road damage.”

Meanwhile, up to 6 inches of water was reported in Hatteras Village.

“We expect similar conditions to continue over the next few high tide cycles until the storm passes,” officials wrote on the N.C. 12 Facebook page. “There is currently no timeline on reopening the highway.”

On Sept. 24, the N.C. Ferry System said it suspended several routes “due to high winds and tidal conditions. We will resume operations at each location as soon as it becomes safe to do so.”

As storm risks continue near the coast, forecasters urge drivers to be cautious.

“Remember that salt water and vehicles don’t work well together,” the National Weather Service Wakefield wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Avoid closed roads and follow detours!”

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This story was originally published September 25, 2026 at 11:58 AM with the headline “4 feet of flooding as storm risks, NC Highway 12 closures continue on Outer Banks.”