NC12 reopens on north end of Ocracoke, state of emergency lifted nearly week after Erin
Last updated: Tuesday, August 26, 2025 12:00AM GMT
NORTH CAROLINA (WTVD) -- Hurricane Erin is moving away from the NC coast and the Outer Banks.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami reported Friday evening that Erin had weakened to a Post-Tropical Cyclone.
Erin's impact on the Outer Banks was mainly on Wednesday night into Thursday.
That said, even though the storm remained in the ocean due to its massive size, the NC Outer Banks are still dealing with the effects of it, which include flooding and overwash.
NC 12 was greatly impacted, leading to the closure of the highway indefinitely.
Dangerous rip currents created by the storm led many beaches to warn against swimming.
NC 12 remains closed as NCDOT works to clear sand, water off road
Dare County issued a few updates around 2 p.m. on Thursday on the effects of Hurricane Erin.
NC Highway 12 on Hatteras Island remains closed after extensive ocean overwash and multiple dune breaches. The most damage is at the northern ends of Buxton and Hatteras Village, as well as along Pea Island, north of Rodanthe.
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) crews are working to clear sand and water from the roadway and repair damaged dune systems. The closure will remain in place until NCDOT determines that travel can safely resume.
Aug 21, 2025, 6:10 PM GMT
Roads remain open in Dare County
As Hurricane Erin keeps being felt in the Outer Banks some conditions are improving.
There are currently no closed roads or breached dunes in Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills or Nags Head, according to a social media post from Dare County.
However, double red flags are still posted on all Dare County beaches, indicating no one can enter the Atlantic Ocean anywhere in the county.
Officials also express caution about how quickly conditions can change.
Aug 21, 2025, 3:20 PM GMT
Road conditions along Outer Banks: NCDOT Update
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has posted an update on road conditions along the Outer Banks, as Hurricane Erin continues to impact the coastline.
As of Thursday morning, NC12 remains closed at the Marc Basnight Bridge, DOT says in an updated post. Here are other roads impacted by Erin:
Pea Island - Section closed due to some overnight overwash and deep blown sand on the road.
Buxton North End - Overwash occurred most of last night and during the morning high tide. Sand and standing water on the road. This section is closed.
Hatteras - Major overwash with dune breaches from Wednesday's high tide. Deep sand, water, and debris are covering the road.
Ocracoke - Major overwash. Large sections of the protective dune are flat. The section is closed.
Rodanthe: Significant overwash on several secondary sections.
NC 12 on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025 (Photo Credit: NCDOT)
Kitty Hawk - No reported issues, minor blown sand, road is passable.
Hurricane Erin is beginning to move away from the NC coast. Crews will be out working to clear what they can. NCDOT says they don't have a time yet for when NC 12 will reopen.
The next high tide is around 7:00 p.m. Thursday and could lead to more overwash.
NC 12 on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025 (Photo Credit: NCDOT)
Aug 21, 2025, 2:29 PM GMT
Red Flag beach conditions in effect for Surf City
Although Hurricane Erin is moving away from North Carolina, dangerous water conditions remain and some coastal towns are warning about Red Flag conditions on their beaches.
Surf City beaches are still under Red flag beach conditions today.
Red flags mean high surf and dangerous rip currents.
The town is encouraging everyone to avoid going in the water in these conditions.
