Storm Updates
Situation resulting from the 9/23/26 Nor'easter
Below are links to authoritative resources for you to monitor about the status of NC-12, the North Carolina Ferry System and accessibility on and off of Hatteras Island.
We cannot guarantee that news on this page will be kept current, and strongly recommend that you follow the Facebook pages of the following sources.
Resource Links:
NCDOT NC 12 Facebook Page
North Carolina Ferry System Facebook Page
Hatteras Island Community Response Team Facebook Page
Dare County Government Facebook Page
9/26/26 7:50 AM NCDOT Facebook Page Update
Good morning. NC12 remains CLOSED between the Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe, as well as on Ocracoke between the ferry terminal and the pony pens. The road is open elsewhere, but we are experiencing sound side flooding in places like the Tri-Villages and Hatteras.
Severe ocean overwash continues this morning at the Canal Zone and the Visitor Center. We are also seeing more pavement damage near the Visitor Center (pictured).
Crews will be out today working to re-establish the protective berm and clearing where they can.N.C. Highway 12 remains closed at Pea Island and there is currently no road access to or from Hatteras Island.
9/25/2026 7:28 AM NCDOT NC 12 Facebook page update:
Good morning. NC12 remains CLOSED between the Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe due to severe ocean overwash and pavement damage. In addition, we are also closing NC12 on Ocracoke Island between the NPS Pony Pens and the Ferry Terminal due to severe overwash. Elsewhere, there is sand and water in several places, and 1-6" of soundside flooding in Hatteras Village between Eagle Pass and the Hatteras Ferry Terminal. We expect similar conditions to continue over the next few high tide cycles until the storm passes. There is currently no timeline on reopening the highway.
9/25/2026 9:15 AM Hatteras Island Community Emergency Response Team Facebook Update:
Friday, 9/25 morning update: Pea Island is still overwashing, several hours past high tide. Both north and south bound lanes of Highway 12 have visible cracks in the pavement. Canal Zone dune is compromised, NCDOT crews are currently working to rebuild.
Sound tide is up in Hatteras Village, and there is flooding in Rodanthe and on Ocracoke. If you must be out driving today on Hatteras or Ocracoke, please be aware this is salt water.
9/24 Press Release from NCDOT (link to the release)
RODANTHE – N.C. 12 remains closed between the Marc Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe, as a September nor’easter continues to cause major ocean overwash on a damaged section of the road near the Pea Island Visitor Center.
The N.C. Department of Transportation closed the highway early Thursday morning after extreme tides broke through protective sand dunes and covered, then undermined, the roadway.
About 500 feet of asphalt has been damaged, and road crews are in the process of assessing the extent of the damage and needed repairs. Meanwhile, the storm is likely to cause continued overwash during the next several high tide cycles before conditions improve Saturday.
At this point, there is no estimate as to when the road will reopen. Travelers should monitor DriveNC.gov or the N.C. 12 Facebook page for updates.
If you purchased Travel Insurance, you may want to contact your insurance provider to ask questions about your coverage. They are the only ones who can answer questions about your eligibility to file a claim for any missed days or other covered expenses.
If you booked your reservation on Vrbo, Booking.com or Airbnb:
Please contact the third-party booking platform directly for information regarding your travel insurance coverage and the claims process.If you booked your reservation before November 1, 2025 your coverage is with Play Travel Protection.
📞 Claims Hotline: 1-833-610-0736
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 PlayTravelProtection.com
If you booked your reservation after November 1, 2025 your coverage is with Red Sky Travel Insurance.
📞 Call: 1-866-889-7409
📧 Email: [email protected]
🕒 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM ET (except holidays)
🌐 RedSkyInsurance.com policy information
🚨 File a claim with Red Sky
Earlier Updates from Dare County
We have provided here the alerts released by Dare County regarding this storm. They are in descending chronological order. The current update from the county is at the top of this page.
Friday, September 25, 2026 at 3 p.m.:
N.C. Highway 12 Remains Closed at Pea Island; No Road Access to or From Hatteras Island
Dare County continues to coordinate with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) regarding the closure of N.C. Highway 12 and access to Hatteras Island due to impacts from the ongoing coastal storm.
Access to Hatteras Island
There is currently no road access to or from Hatteras Island due to pavement damage along N.C. Highway 12 near the Pea Island Visitor Center.
Travel between the villages on Hatteras Island remains open, and essential services—including power, water and communications—remain operational.
Those with upcoming reservations on Hatteras Island are encouraged to contact their accommodations provider before traveling to the area and should not travel toward Hatteras Island without first confirming that access has been restored. Visitors who are currently on Hatteras Island and need to extend their stay due to the road closure should contact their accommodations provider as soon as possible to discuss available options.
Highway Repairs
According to NCDOT, crews will continue to assess the damage as conditions allow to determine what repairs will be necessary. NCDOT has advised Dare County that crews are prepared to begin road repairs once the full extent of the damage is known and conditions allow work to proceed. At this time, it is too early to know the scope of the repairs or when N.C. Highway 12 may reopen.
Motorists should not attempt to travel through closed or damaged portions of N.C. Highway 12 and should obey all barricades and traffic-control measures.
Ferry Service
NCDOT has advised it is consulting with partners and stakeholders to determine whether emergency ferry service will be activated, and the agency is completing the tasks now to efficiently establish service when that decision is made. If activated, it will likely take several days to mobilize and begin operations. Ferry operations are also dependent on weather and sea conditions being safe for vessels to operate.
As NCDOT restores regular ferry service between Ocracoke Island and Cedar Island and Swan Quarter, these routes may provide an option for those traveling to or from Hatteras Island once Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry service resumes and N.C. Highway 12 reopens on Ocracoke Island. Travelers should check with the N.C. Ferry Division for the latest information regarding ferry schedules and availability.
Coastal and Ocean Conditions
According to the National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City office, the greatest coastal impacts occurred this morning (Friday, September 25, 2026), and conditions will slowly improve as we move into the weekend.
While conditions will be improving, additional beach erosion and ocean overwash should be expected, particularly during upcoming high-tide cycles. Hazardous ocean conditions will persist, keeping ocean swimming life-threatening.
Dare County will continue to coordinate with NCDOT and share confirmed information as it becomes available regarding N.C. Highway 12 access and ferry operations.
For current road conditions and closures, visit DriveNC.gov. Updates specific to N.C. Highway 12 on Hatteras Island are also available from NCDOT NC 12 on Facebook.
Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at 10:30 a.m.
Press Release from Dare County (link to press release)Dare County Emergency Management Issues Coastal Storm Update; Significant Ocean Overwash Likely on Hatteras Island
Dare County Emergency Management continues to closely monitor the strong coastal storm that will affect the Outer Banks this week. The National Weather Service at Newport/Morehead City has issued additional watches, warnings and advisories as weather conditions are expected to deteriorate today, with the most significant impacts expected Thursday into Friday.
Hatteras Island will likely experience the greatest effects, where hazardous ocean conditions are forecast to build throughout the day today, (September 23, 2026). The National Weather Service has issued a Coastal Flood Warning for Hatteras Island, as well as a Coastal Flood Advisory for the northern beaches, a Wind Advisory and a High Surf Advisory.
These expected impacts include:
2 to 4 feet flooding inundation at vulnerable locations on Hatteras Island
1 to 3 feet flooding inundation for the northern beaches of Dare County
Moderate to strong N to NE winds with gusts of 40 to 50 mph
Ocean overwash along N.C. Highway 12 on Hatteras Island
Large waves bringing very dangerous surf conditions, life-threatening rip currents and beach erosion
Residents and visitors on Hatteras Island should be prepared for hazardous travel conditions and the possibility of temporary closures of N.C. Highway 12.
Everyone is encouraged to minimize unnecessary travel as conditions deteriorate. If you encounter a flooded roadway, turn around, don’t drown. Never drive around barricades or other barriers that have been placed to close a road.
