Mandatory evacuation order for Hyde County residents is lifted

Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018. 10:34 a.m.

Please read this entire release if you are trying to get back to Ocracoke Island.

The Hyde County Board of Commissioners at 9:30 a.m. today lifted the mandatory evacuation order for Hyde County residents, essential personnel and vendors only.

At this time the only ferry terminal that will be in operation is the Swan Quarter Terminal. The Hatteras Terminal is not operational due to damage to N.C. 12 on Ocracoke. The Cedar Island Terminal has not been assessed yet. There is no time table on when they will be operational.

The following reentry passes and vendors will be allowed to board the ferry in the following priority and will be strictly enforced:

1. Red Passes- Emergency Personnel
2. Yellow Passes – Essential Island Personnel
3. Vendors – See below for vendor priority listings
4. Green Passes – Resident Property Owners

Vendor Priority List:
1 – Emergency Personnel and Equipment
2 – NCDOT Highway and Power Company Personnel and Equipment
3 – Sanitation Personnel and Equipment
4 – Mail and Parcel Delivery
5 – Commodities and Fuel Vendors

If you are not one of the above pass holders or a vendor, do not attempt to gain entry to the island. Entry is first-come, first-served; there are no reservations. However, you will be bumped in line by anyone with a priority pass higher than yours. The ferry schedule for the Swan Quarter-Ocracoke route for Sunday, Sept. 16, will be as follows:

Swan Quarter Departures – 9:30 am, 10:30 am, 3:30 pm, and 4:30 pm

Ocracoke Departures – 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm, 6:30 pm, and 7:30 pm

Route schedules for after Sunday have not been determined yet. As soon as we receive that information we will release it.

Hyde County officials surveyed all major roadway entries into the county this morning. There are still a few areas that have standing water up to 6 inches but are passable. We advise that citizens travel at their own risk and drive slowly. There is a coastal flood warning for areas along the Pungo River until 2 p.m. with flooding up to four feet above ground level possible. Please travel with caution.

At this time, there has been no determination on when non-resident property owners and visitors will be allowed back to the island. We will reassess conditions daily to evaluate the safety of allowing full reentry to the island.

The state of emergency for Hyde County is still in effect. The restriction of alcohol sales will be lifted at noon today, Sunday, Sept. 16. The curfew order has also been lifted.

The Ocracoke Convenience Site will open at 9 a.m. No recyclables will be accepted at this time, but we expect full services to be restored very soon.

For any questions or need assistance, call the Hyde County Emergency Operations Center at 252-926-3715.