DARE COUNTY, N.C. (WAVY) - Flooding as deep as half a foot was reported across Dare County, N.C. Wednesday afternoon.
According to Chief Deputy Steve Hoggard, high water was reported on Highway 12 (N.C. 12) in both directions from Rodanthe to the southern end of Dare County. Only high-clearance, four-wheel drive vehicles are allowed on the road.
The sound side flooding on Highway 12 south of the Oregon Inlet Bridge began around 2:30 p.m. A new temporary inlet bridge is in place at that location, after Hurricane Sandy washed out the road last year.
The lanes are not expected to reopen to all traffic until the water recedes, which is predicted to happen around mid-morning Thursday.
There is also some flooding in the Tri-Village (Rodanthe, Salvo, Waves) area, all from the sound side.
High winds also caused the Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry route to stop operations. The ferry will resume operations when conditions are deemed safe. Travelers can also call 800-293-3779 (BY-FERRY) and Press 1 for up-to-date ferry information, or sign up to receive Tweets on their personal cell phones by going to www.twitter.com/ncdot_ferry .