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Hatteras Island began to reopen for business with a phased re-entry that started with residents, property owners and workers at 2:30 p.m. today, Dare County Eemergency Management announced. Visitors will be welcome on the island starting at 3 p.m. Sunday
The announcement urged drivers to keep in mind that there is still standing water and sand along some areas of N.C. Highway 12. Proceed with caution and drive slowly through standing water as creating wake will cause damage to vehicles and nearby properties.
The NC Ferry Division stated today that the Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry is not running at this time. N.C. 12 South on Ocracoke from the ferry terminal to the village remains closed. Hyde County is expected to have an announcement on re-entry on Sunday morning.
The National Park Service announced today most visitor services and facilities at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Wright Brothers National Memorial will reopen at 7 a.m. Sunday, Sept.16, following Dare County’s re-entry notice for non-residents to areas north of Oregon Inlet. Visitor facilities on Ocracoke Island will reopen when Hyde County lifts its mandatory evacuation orders
Services north of Oregon Inlet will reopen at 9 a.m. Sept. 16:
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site
Wright Brothers National Memorial
Visitor facilities and Bodie Island Lighthouse and Visitor Center
Oregon Inlet Campground open for camping
Some visitor facilities and services south of Oregon Inlet will reopen at 3 p.m. Sept. 16 following Dare County’s reentry notice for non-residents to areas south of Oregon Inlet beginning at the same time.
Frisco Campground will open for camping but Cape Point Campground will remain closed until conditions improve.
Hatteras Island Visitor Center will reopen at 9 a.m. Sept. 17
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse will reopen for climbing the morning of Sept. 17
Beach access ramps and routes will reopen as assessments are completed. Beach access status updates will be posted regularly at http://go.nps.gov/beachaccess over the next couple of days.
Beach-goers should be aware of ocean debris that may have washed ashore and buried items that were exposed during recent severe weather conditions.
Also, it is important to be aware that life-threatening ocean conditions are present along all Outer Banks beaches. Dare County’s state of emergency, which prohibits entering the Atlantic Ocean, remains in effect. Visitors should stay out of the Atlantic Ocean until the state of emergency is lifted, and ocean conditions improve.
