Ocracoke was spared the brunt of the “bombogeneisis” storm Thursday affecting the East Coast, though it still had freezing conditions, a brief power outage and a light covering of snow and ice.
As the storm departed Thursday morning, Ocracoke was sunny but cold Thursday with daytime temperatures above freezing prompting a melt. Below-freezing temperatures will continue tonight (Thursday) with temperatures in the lows in the low 20s through Sunday night.
Daytime highs will be in the 20s and low 30s Friday through Sunday, with temperatures climbing into the low 50s on Monday and higher through Saturday, according to Weather Underground.
Tommy Hutcherson, owner of the Ocracoke Variety Store, noted that “plenty of people” on the island have come into the hardware store to repair burst frozen pipes.
“If you have an extended freeze, you have burst pipes,” he said, and suggested that people leave a faucet on in a steady stream, not just a drip.
Ferry service was suspended Wednesday night and into Thursday.
Due to road conditions, Hyde County Government offices will be closed on Friday, Jan. 5. Hyde County Manager Bill Rich said the convenience site on Ocracoke will open Friday at 10 a.m. It was closed Thursday.
Ocracoke School has a half day Friday beginning at 11:55 a.m.
Tideland EMC, which serves Ocracoke, reported a power outage at 5:53 a.m. Thursday owing to an “issue” in Frisco, but power was restored by 8 a.m.
National Park Service properties—Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and Wright Brothers National Memorial—will remain closed on Friday.
Beach access ramps will remain open to off-road vehicles and pedestrians at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, but some beach routes may be hazardous and impassable during both high and low tide conditions, said National Parks of Eastern North Carolina Superintendent David E. Hallac.
Rangers observed significant erosion of many beachfront areas over the last 24 hours.
“I am hopeful that all of our visitor centers and off-road vehicle permit offices will reopen this weekend and I urge everyone to use caution when driving or walking along beaches that have experienced significant erosion,” Hallac said.
