Imelda strengthened into a hurricane Tuesday morning.
The storm is on track to move away from the Bahamas and approach Bermuda late Wednesday and early Thursday.
Imelda is expected to approach the U.S. Southeast coast on Tuesday. Due to no landfall expected, the flooding threat is now lower.
On Saturday, North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein declared a state of emergency ahead of the possible heavy rain and flooding.
NC 12 on Ocracoke Island has been closed between the northern Ferry Terminal and the National Park Service Pony Pens because of high winds and ocean overwash, the North Carolina Department of Transportation said Tuesday afternoon.
The Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry route has suspended service because of weather conditions.
The road is expected to reopen by 10:30 a.m. on Thursday.
Due to weather conditions caused by Hurricane Imelda, a Coastal Flood Warning has been issued for Dare County, beginning at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, until 8 p.m. on Friday.
In addition, a Wind Advisory is in effect beginning at 8 p.m. on Tuesday through 8 p.m. on Wednesday.
A High Surf Advisory remains in effect until 8 a.m. on Saturday.
The National Weather Service office in Morehead City has issued a Red Flag Day due to high rip current risk.
The warning includes beaches from Duck to Ocracoke on the North Carolina Outer Banks.
NWS says ocean conditions will bring powerful rip currents and dangerous breaking waves, making swimming unsafe.
The strongest rip currents often occur a couple of hours either side of low tide.
As of Tuesday 8 a.m., Imelda has strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane. It is on track to move away from the Bahamas and approach Bermuda late Wednesday and early Thursday.
