FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 3, 2010

Contact: Communications Office, (919) 733-2522

NCDOT CREWS CONTINUE EFFORTS TO CLEAR N.C. 12 IN OUTER BANKS
Road remains closed south of Bonner Bridge at Oregon Inlet

RALEIGH — N.C. Department of Transportation crews are working today to clear sand and water from N.C. 12 along the Outer Banks resulting from Hurricane Earl. NCDOT had stationed 24 pieces of equipment along N.C. 12 to quickly respond to the storm, and now has 31 employees working to push sand and water off the road from Ocracoke to Kitty Hawk. N.C. 12 remains closed south of the Bonner Bridge at Oregon Inlet.

Water continues to recede in Kitty Hawk and crews have cleared the majority of sand from N.C. 12 in the Canal area on the northern end of Pea Island. Further south, crews continue to push sand and water off the road and are working to clear water from the S-Curves section near Rodanthe. The sand bags and sand fence in that area withstood the storm.

There has been significant sound side flooding around Hatteras, and crews continue to assess the area. A significant amount of water and sand up to three feet deep in some places have impacted travel in Ocracoke. Crews will continue working to clear the road.

Crews have done assessments throughout the other coastal counties. With the exception of N.C. 12 in Dare and Hyde counties, all roads are open and passable.

The department continues to coordinate with local emergency management to assess the damage to N.C. 12. High tide is expected around 3 p.m. and more information will be available after that time.

***NCDOT***