The state Department of Transportation says storm surge from Hurricane Irene has completely washed away segments of Highway 12 on Hatteras Island. The storm cut several channels through the road just north of Rodanthe. Highway 12 connects the island to the rest of the Outer Banks and the mainland. DOT spokeswoman Greer Beaty says much of the road is still impassible.
Greer Beaty: "We have significant issues on Highway 12. Those issues range from what we call breaches to sand covering a couple of miles of road, where basically a dune has just come across the road. There are many challenges that await us in our recovery efforts out on 12."
Routes for the general public have been cut off to Hatteras Island, which usually attracts thousands of tourists on Labor Day weekend. The DOT is using emergency ferries to get supplies and road crews to the island.