Outer Banks

There is some wash over from Hurricane Teddy. This is from NCDOT website.

NC-12 CLOSED NEAR OCRACOKE ISLAND

NC-12 is closed in both directions just south of the Ocracoke Ferry dock to just north of the Pony Pen beach area, due to standing water in the roadway.
The road is expected to reopen by Monday at 1:00 PM.


NC-12 CLOSED NEAR RODANTHE

NC-12 is closed in both directions from the town of Rodanthe to the Bonner Bridge, due to standing water in the roadway.
The roadway is expected to reopen by Monday at 1:00 PM.

They tried to build the new Bonner bridge longer to get around the flood prone area but the environmental groups sued the state. The compromise was to make it shorter. So much for that idea?

 

Just north of Rodanthe...

 

This is what they originally wanted to do. It would have been a 17.5 mile bridge all the way around the problem areas.

 

We were supposed to stay until Sunday. Left on Friday to beat all this. Not a popular decision with half of the traveling party at the time, but glad we did.

 

They extended the closures until Tuesday.

NC-12 CLOSED NEAR OCRACOKE ISLAND AND RODANTHE
Due to standing water in the roadway, NC-12 is closed in both directions just south of the Ocracoke Ferry dock to just north of the Pony Pen beach area.
The roadway is also closed in both directions from the town of Rodanthe to the Bonner Bridge.
The roadway is expected to reopen by Tuesday at 2:00 PM.

 

Figures a Jeep guy tried to drive through 3ft of sand and water.

 

I’d be surprised if that timetable holds.

 

Thursday. Maybe.

 

Hey everyone. My wife and I have never been to the OB. We're planning to drive over next week from Knoxville. It's an 8.5 hour drive so I just want to make sure we're not going to get there and find issues. Our plan is to take the ferry from Davis, NC and camp on the south core bank. My understanding is that I need to reserve a spot on the ferry. How are current weather conditions? I'm assuming the pictures posted above are from more northern areas of the OB?

 

I am supposed to head there next Friday hope all is good by then for me but more importantly all the locals.

 

Bad weather can develop in a hurry in the OBX for sure. But as of right now you should be ok. Haven’t seen or heard about any access issues to CaLo area. Sounds like a great trip, I’m jealous. Its on my bucket list for sure.

 

Here is the latest from DOT’s website.

NC-12 REOPENED IN HYDE AND DARE COUNTIES

NC-12 reopened on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands at noon, Thursday, 9-24-20.
NC-12 motorists are advised to drive with extreme caution on both Hatteras and Ocracoke, as sand and salt water remain on the road in several locations. NCDOT crews will also be on the highway to continue clearing the road and shoring up dune lines. Lane closures may be in effect in some sections.

Ferry service between Hatteras and Ocracoke will resume on Thursday, 9-24-20, with departures from Hatteras at noon, 2 PM, 3 PM, 6 PM, 9 PM and midnight, and departures from Ocracoke at 1:30 PM, 3:30 PM, 4:30 PM, 7:30 PM, and 10:30 PM.

 

If you’re planning to take one of the vehicle ferries, you need to book that well in advance, it’s pretty busy right now. Call them ASAP and see if a spot is available.

 

I haven't heard of any issues in the CALO area. I will be going over from Davis on Oct 22-26th. Normally try to make the trip 1-2 times a year. Be ready for high wind camping.

 

Definitely saving this for future trips, thanks for the link!

 

We called and made our reservations last week and they are both pretty booked up in late OCT. Be prepared to head over very early in the morning or very late at night. Typical rule of thumb is book 1-2 months in advance if you want certain ferry times.

 

When I called the Davis ferry last week they were booked until November! They told me to call the ferry that launches out of Atlantic. I was able to reserve a spot with them Friday at 5pm but now we're not sure if we're going to go. The weather Sunday is looking questionable. 50-60% chance of rain depending on which weather app I use. I don't want to drive 9 hours just to get rained on Sunday. It also says rain Monday morning when we would be trying to pack up camp and make breakfast. I'm really bummed. I've been talking about going all summer but every time I checked the weather in July/August the heat index in Davis was over 100. Amazing how quick the temperature changed but then the ferry's get booked up immediately.

 

I have camped there in tropical storm conditions. It has rained every trip we have made there. Weather is the hardest component of planning a trip to CALO. Also you should try to give Cape Lookout Cabins and Camp a call. They are another ferry service that runs out of Davis.

 

We ended up going and I'm glad we did. We both had a great time despite terrible weather. The north island was almost empty by Sunday.

 

It is all part of the adventure. Glad you had a good time.