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North Carolina travel advisory issued, I-95 and I-40 closed as Florence flooding worsens

Eric Miller and Grace Pateras
USA TODAY Network

An advisory issued by the North Carolina Department of Transportation is warning motorists to avoid driving through large swaths of the state due to flooding.

Authorities are asking motorists to avoid all roads south of US 64 and east of I-73/74. NCDOT is recommending motorists driving between states use routes taking them around the state.

Also, because of “the uncertainty of flooding conditions,” I-40 is closed between Wilmington and I-95, an area that has already seen extensive flooding.

To avoid driving through North Carolina, NCDOT makes the following recommendations:

  • If traveling south on I-95 drivers should use I-64 West in Virginia to I-81 south, to I-75 south in Tennessee to I-16 East in Georgia back to I-95. This is an extremely long detour, but it is the detour that offers the lowest risk of flooding at this time, the NCDOT site states.
  • Through traffic from I-95 in Georgia is advised to use I-16 West to I-75 North to I-81 North to I-64 East back to I-95 in Virginia.
  • If you are already in North Carolina on I-95 you may use US 64 west to I-540 west to I-40 west to I-85 south into South Carolina. Follow South Carolina DOT instructions to return to I-95.

I-95 remains closed

All lanes of Interstate 95 in North Carolina are closed for about 16 miles in both directions due to flooding in the Dunn area, north of Fayetteville. The closure is between Exit 81 (I-40) and Exit 65 (NC-82), according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

More about Tropical Depression Florence and historic North Carolina Flooding:

Rising waters:With unprecedented flooding expected, Fayetteville mayor: Evacuate or notify next of kin

Flood damage:Florence rains cause breach at coal ash landfill near Wilmington

Florence moves inland:Sunday will be 'main event' for storm in Western North Carolina