OUTER BANKS HIGHWAY: Traffic flows again on highway after nor’easter washout

Traffic is flowing again along Highway 12 in the Outer Banks, days after it was washed away in a nor’easter.

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The powerful waves generated from a developing nor’easter were no match for sand dunes that protect N.C. 12. The waves completely washed out portions of Highway 12, isolating Pea Island from the other islands. Authorities were forced to put an emergency ferry in place to get folks off the island and bring supplies in, Channel 9 meteorologist Joe Puma said.

Over the past 24 hours, crews worked around the clock to move sand and broken roadway away to rebuild the dunes and a temporary road so traffic can resume.

Traffic started moving Tuesday afternoon.

The Outer Banks are barrier islands, which means they act as a barrier for the mainland from powerful sea waves. However, with so many homes on the Outer Banks, this causes issues getting around after these powerful storms.