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.
NCDOT will close NC 12 on the north end of Ocracoke Island after the arrival of the last ferry from Hatteras that is about 2:15 p.m.
Increasing ocean overwash is making the highway hazardous for drivers, according to NCDOT
It is expected to remain closed until at least tomorrow.
Five unoccupied houses collapsed in Buxton on Tuesday as rough conditions continue with Hurricane Imelda and Hurricane Humberto continuing to churn in the Atlantic Ocean.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore said no one was in or near the houses when they collapsed between 2 p.m. and 2:34 p.m. People are asked to stay away from the sites and use caution for several miles south, as potentially hazardous debris may be in the area.
Authorities said three of the collapsed houses were on Cottage Avenue and two were on Tower Circle Road.
The entire beachfront from northern Buxton through off-road vehicle (ORV) ramp 43 is closed for public safety. ORV drivers using ramps 38 should avoid traveling to the south, and anyone using ramp 43 should avoid traveling north.
Up in Rodanthe, officials closed East Point Drive south to Surfside Drive because of oceanfront structures at risk of collapsing.
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.
