Outer Banks, NC, October 15, 2025
News Summary
A powerful nor’easter has caused significant road closures along N.C. 12 in the Outer Banks, affecting access to crucial areas. Although major pavement damage is not reported, ocean overwash and safety concerns persist. Local crews are working to rebuild dunes, while residents check for erosion impacts on their properties. Nine homes in Buxton have already collapsed due to erosion. Emergency alerts have been issued to inform locals about the dangerous conditions and closures as high tides and storm warnings remain.
Nor’easter Causes Road Closures and Coastal Damage in North Carolina’s Outer Banks
Residents and visitors along the N.C. Outer Banks faced significant road closures on Monday morning as crews worked to clear water and sand from N.C. 12 following a powerful nor’easter that impacted the region over the weekend. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (DOT) reported that these closures began on Saturday, affecting access to crucial areas.
As of Monday morning, Jamie Kritzer, a DOT spokesman, indicated there appeared to be no damage to the main highway’s pavement. However, crews were facing challenges due to the ocean’s push and tidal conditions, leaving the timeline for reopening N.C. 12 on Ocracoke uncertain. Minor damage had been reported on Pea Island, located south of Oregon Inlet, while the remainder of the highway remained intact.
DOT workers were actively hauling sand to rebuild protective dunes, with hopes to potentially reopen the vital link by 6 p.m. on Monday. N.C. 12 serves as the main connection between the islands of the Outer Banks, playing a crucial role in the daily lives of residents who depend on it for shopping trips and medical appointments. Just a few inches of water on the road can create dangerous conditions for vehicles.
An emergency alert was issued on Saturday, informing residents about the closure of Highway 12 at Rodanthe. Many residents were also checking on their homes, fearing potential erosion that could result from the recent storms. So far, since mid-September, nine houses in Buxton have already collapsed into the ocean due to significant erosion accelerated by recent hurricanes.
The recent nor’easter caused onshore waves reaching up to 15 feet and coincided with a king tide, further heightening risks for more than a dozen buildings along Buxton’s waterfront. Fortunately, as of Monday morning, no new buildings had fallen in Buxton or Rodanthe, but high tides and ongoing storm conditions remained a concern.
Ocean overwash was responsible for the closure of N.C. 12, leading to unsafe driving conditions, and a coastal flood warning was active for Hatteras Island from Saturday through Monday morning, complemented by a high surf advisory. Other states, including New Jersey and New York, experienced similar coastal flooding, prompting emergency declarations by their governors. In New York City, the ongoing dangerous weather conditions led to the cancellation of the Columbus Day Parade.
Live drone footage has captured the active damage and erosion along the coastline, particularly in Buxton, showcasing the substantial impact of the latest weather events on this vulnerable area.
FAQ
- What caused the road closures in North Carolina’s Outer Banks?
- Residents and visitors along the N.C. Outer Banks faced road closures due to a nor’easter that brought onshore waves and flood conditions.
- When did the road closures begin?
- The road closures began on Saturday, as reported by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (DOT).
- Is there any damage to N.C. 12?
- As of Monday morning, there didn’t appear to be damage to the highway’s pavement, though minor damage was found on Pea Island.
- What are the safety conditions like on N.C. 12?
- Ocean overwash forced the closure of N.C. 12 due to unsafe driving conditions, with just a few inches of water posing dangers for vehicles.
- What emergency alerts were issued regarding the road closures?
- An emergency alert was sent out on Saturday notifying residents about the closure of Highway 12 at Rodanthe.
- What are the ongoing risks for buildings along the coast?
- More than a dozen buildings in Buxton are at risk due to erosion accelerated by storms, with nine houses having already collapsed into the sea since mid-September.
- What other states have been affected by similar flooding?
- New Jersey and New York experienced similar coastal flooding, leading to emergency declarations by their governors.
Chart: Key Features of the Nor’easter’s Impact
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Road Closures | Starting Saturday, with N.C. 12 affected. |
| Wave Height | Onshore waves of up to 15 feet. |
| Houses Affected | Nine houses in Buxton collapsed due to erosion. |
| Flood Warnings | Active coastal flood warning for Hatteras Island. |
| Other States’ Conditions | Emergency declarations in New Jersey and New York. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
N.C. Highway 12 Reopens in Hatteras; Ocracoke Island Highway Still Closed
Severe Ocean Overwash Forces Shutdowns of NC Highway 12
Nor’easter Batters Buxton, North Carolina with Flooding
Sections of NC 12 Closed Due to Ocean Overwash in Outer Banks
High Surf Advisory and Evacuations in Outer Banks Due to Hurricane Erin
Coastal Flood Warning Issued for Northern Outer Banks
Ocracoke Island Highway Closure Due to Severe Weather
Severe Erosion Crisis Hits Buxton, North Carolina
Beach Hazards Statement Issued for Northern Outer Banks
Hatteras Island Welcomes Residents as N.C. 12 Reopens
Additional Resources
- CBS 17
- Wikipedia: Nor’easter
- USA Today
- Google Search: Nor’easter News
- Fox Weather
- Google Scholar: Nor’easter Impact
- 13 News Now
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Nor’easter
- WRAL
- Google News: Nor’easter North Carolina
Author: STAFF HERE OUTER BANKS WRITER
The OBX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOBX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in the Outer Banks, Dare County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Outer Banks Seafood Festival, NC VIP Fishing Tournament, and NCBBA Red Drum Tournament. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce and Outer Banks Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in tourism, retail, and hospitality that power the local economy such as Kitty Hawk Kites, Outer Banks Mall, and Avon Fishing Pier. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HERERaleigh.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
