Hurricane Ophelia’s slow assault on North Carolina has resulted in a number of flooded and closed roadways throughout the state.

According to Lisa Crist Crawley, public information officer for the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the most severe reports of flooding are in Brunswick County, including:

• U.S. 17;
• North Carolina Highway 133;
• North Carolina Highway 130;
• North Carolina Highway 211;
• North Carolina Highway 904; and
• North Carolina Highway 87.

However, other counties are also experiencing road closures due to flooding, roadway debris and downed power lines. The list of counties affected includes:

• New Hanover County, including North College Road near Castle Hayne;
• Secondary roads in Onslow, Pamlico and Pender Counties;
• Carteret County, including North Carolina Highway 58 on the Bogue Banks, the South River area, and U.S. 70 east of Beaufort.

Crawley said ocean overwash has been reported along North Carolina Highway 12 on Hatteras Island and Ocracoke, but staging crews are already in place to remove sand and debris from the roadway.

Even if flooded roadways appear to be safe, Crawley said, drivers should not use them if they are under any water.

“We are certainly urging motorists not to drive through flooded roads, even if there’s not that much water on the roadway,” Crawley said. “You don’t always know the condition of the roadway underneath. So definitely play it safe and use caution out there along our coastal areas.”

– By Aaron Ladage, staff writer
aaron_ladage@landlinemag.com