As Hurricane Erin approaches, with heavy rain and wind expected to create hazardous conditions, NCDOT is urging coastal residents in North Carolina to avoid road travel, according to an official statement released by the department. Although Erin is predicted to stay offshore, its effects could still cause significant flooding and damage to roadways, particularly N.C. 12, the main artery to the Outer Banks.
Despite no closures as of Wednesday morning, NCDOT has reported sand and water accumulation on parts of N.C. 12, cautioning that the situation could worsen when tropical storm force winds hit the coast late Wednesday and Thursday, the department anticipates an escalation of harsh conditions. Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins emphasized the seriousness of the storm, stating, “We have crews ready and are prepared for whatever Erin brings us,” in a statement obtained by NCDOT. Hopkins added, "But we are urging people along the coast to stay home until the storm passes and it’s safe to travel again."
The risk of flood-related drownings rises when individuals drive through floodwaters, and for this reason, Hopkins advises against attempting to drive through floods or circumventing road closures, as these measures are meant to protect the public. Real-time travel updates can be monitored on DriveNC.gov, where those concerned can filter information specific to Hurricane Erin's impacts.
Moreover, NCDOT's Ferry Division has preemptively halted ferry services from Ocracoke across the Pamlico Sound following its final Wednesday departure at 11 a.m. to Swan Quarter, ferry service to Hatteras will also be contingent on the weather, with evacuations having been underway since Sunday evening, over 2,263 individuals and 1,113 vehicles have been moved from Ocracoke Island to the mainland. As heavy equipment like front-end loaders and bulldozers buttress dunes along N.C. 12, NCDOT assures it is also prepared to dispatch its fleets of chainsaws, trucks, and loaders for rapid response in event that secondary roads in coastal areas become inundated.
Stressing readiness, NCDOT crews have readied equipment, tested vehicles, and prepared high-water signs and barricades for problematic areas, geared up to work tirelessly in shifts to evaluate roads and bridges, set up necessary signage, and collaborate with utility crews for debris clearance to facilitate road reopenings at the soonest possible time after the storm's impact on the region.
