OUTERBANKS, N.C. — A slow-moving area of low pressure off the Carolina coast has closed access to parts of the Outer Banks.
The low-pressure system is causing strong northerly winds and rough surf. That led to ocean overwash on Highway 12 near Mirlo Beach around high tide early Tuesday morning.
The road is now closed between Oregon Inlet and Rodanthe. Even nearby areas that are passable have deep sand and water.
The NCDOT will have a tough job trying to reopen this section of Highway 12. The latest forecasts suggest ocean overwash will be a problem at high tide through much of this week.
The NCDOT has long battled high tides, winter storms and tropical systems to keep Highway 12 open.
The road is a vital link for the residents that live along the barrier islands and the businesses that depend on tourists visiting the Outer Banks.
A new bridge is slated to open soon around the section of road that was breached near Rodanthe Tuesday morning.
Mirlo Beach, or the Rodanthe "S Curves," is just one of seven hot spots that can become overwashed by the ocean or sound during storms and high tides.
Coastal geologists say more hot spots could develop in the future.
In an interview last year, Tony Rodriguez with UNC's Institute of Marine Sciences says a warming climate will cause more problems. He said, "We’ll probably have higher sea levels more frequently or even stronger storms. So, all of that will make the process of overwashing the barriers happen more frequently and probably to a greater extent."
A task force was formed last year to develop a long-term plan for Highway 12. The group consists of federal, state and local agencies.
Ferry services are also being impacted by this week's storm.
The Hatteras-Ocracoke, Swan Quarter-Ocracoke, Cedar Island-Ocracoke and Currituck-Knotts Island routes all remain suspended.
Ferry staff says they'll resume service as soon as it is safe to do so.