Isaias spares Ocracoke, most of Outer Banks; mainland Hyde dealing with power outages

From our news services

Since the track of Tropical Storm Isaias moved west of the Outer Banks on Monday, Ocracoke fared very well overnight with some wind-driven rain and a few gusts of wind.

There’s no storm surge; no damage, including on NC Highway 12, and the island did not lose power.

Isaias is working its way up the northeast and winds on Ocracoke will be decreasing throughout the morning.

According to Hyde County Public Information, emergency personnel are currently out doing damage assessments. The Hyde County Emergency Operations Center is active. If you have any needs or wish to report something, call 252-926-3715.

According to Tideland EMC’s outage map, Swan Quarter, Engelhard and the White Plains area have widespread power outages. The Fairfield area has a few scattered power outages. Crews have been assigned per the outage map.

Once it is safe to do so, the Ferry Division will make a test run on all routes and report their findings to the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard must approve them to begin operations again.

A Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge Warning remain in effect but are expected to be lifted today.

As for the Outer Banks north of Ocracoke, initial reports indicate that minimal damage occurred overnight as Isaias moved west. Scattered power outages are reported throughout the Outer Banks due to downed trees along with soundside flooding in some low-lying areas. No water is blocking traffic. While some soundside waters continue to rise, conditions will improve throughout the day as the storm moves away. 

Dare County will allow unlimited access starting at 2 p.m. today.

Staff at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and Wright Brothers National Memorial will begin post-storm assessments this morning. Once a determination is made on the status of park beaches and facilities, the Operational Status Report web page for each national park unit will be updated.