Interstate 95 through North Carolina is now reopened to all traffic, Gov. Roy Cooper announced Sunday night.

Floodwaters that covered the interstate following Hurricane Florence receded sooner than expected, allowing the North Carolina Department of Transportation to complete the inspections and repairs needed to reopen the road.

The N.C. Department of Transportation has identified three safe alternate routes the public may use to access Wilmington, which was flooded by Hurricane Florence.

These are the recommend routes:

  • From the south, take U.S. 17
• From the north, travel on Interstate 40 East to N.C. 24 East (exit 373), then onto U.S. 17 South
• From Fayetteville, take N.C. 87 to U.S. 701 South to N.C. 211 East to U.S. 74 East

Additionally, people may use I-40 to exit 373 and N.C. 24 to reach Jacksonville.

State transportation officials recommend people avoid any unnecessary travel in these hard-hit counties where the risk of flooding remains: Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Duplin, Jones, Lenoir, Pender, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland, and southeastern Wayne (south of U.S. 70 Business and east of U.S. 117).

NCDOT is making progress on reducing the number of road closures, which statewide totaled 550 this morning. However, rivers are cresting through this weekend in southeastern North Carolina, where many roads remain impassable, including sections of I-40 closer to Wilmington. NCDOT must wait for the water to recede, then inspect for damage and make any necessary repairs before reopening the roads.

For the latest information on road conditions, visit  DriveNC.gov or dial 511.