For the current ferry schedules to Ocracoke, click here.
Update Nov. 16, 2019. 4:30 p.m.
Due to heavy wind and rain, operations have been suspended on the ferry routes to and from Ocracoke Island, and the Currituck-Knotts Island, Southport-Fort Fisher and Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach ferries. Only the Aurora-Bayview ferry is continuing to run on its normal schedule.
The worst impacts of the storm will occur tonight and Sunday. Rain and sustained winds into the 30-plus mph range, with much higher gusts, are expected to last well into Sunday night.
DOT officials are monitoring conditions on the coast to determine when ferry operations can resume.
The N.C. Highway 12 from Oregon Inlet to Rodanthe will be closing at 5 p.m. (Nov. 16). The coastal storm has made travel along N.C. 12, the Outer Banks main thoroughfare, dangerous, NCDOT officials said Saturday afternoon. There is almost no visibility due to wind blown sand accumulating on the highway and it is becoming unsafe for NCDOT maintenance crews working to clear the road.
NCDOT crews will be back out early tomorrow to assess N.C. 12 and determine when the closure can be lifted. However, continued hazardous conditions can also be expected to continue for Sunday with ocean overwash onto N.C. 12 likely during high tide cycles later tonight and tomorrow.
On Ocracoke the next high tides are at 10:07 p.m. and 10:45 a.m. on Sunday which may bring flooding into the village.
No information was available on whether the repairs on N.C. 12 on Ocracoke have been set back. The Ocracoke Observer will post information as soon as it is known.
Nov. 15 5:49 p.m.
RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Transportation has suspended operations on one of its ferry routes and could suspend others depending on impacts from a strong storm lashing the North Carolina coast.
On Friday afternoon, the state Ferry Division suspended operations on its Hatteras to Ocracoke-Silver Lake ferry route due to the strong storm. Ferry personnel are monitoring the storm and will announce any other changes to the seven ferry routes, including when the Hatteras-Ocracoke Silver Lake route will resume operations.
A large storm packing strong winds and heavy rain is expected to deliver its greatest impacts to coastal North Carolina between Friday night and Monday morning.
Since Ocracoke is still under mandatory evacuation from Hurricane Dorian, the ferry schedules are running on a temporary schedule and only residents, vendors and recovery workers/volunteers may come to the island.
For updates, follow the Ferry Division on Twitter at @NCDOT_Ferry.
