Editor’s note: The Observer just learned at 12:40 p.m. that the Ocracoke to Swan Quarter ferry will run at 1:30 p.m. and the 4:30 p.m. from Swan Quarter to Ocracoke will run.
By Peter Vankevich
As of Sunday morning, all ferry routes for Ocracoke were suspended (Oct. 12) due to unsafe conditions, but the N.C. Ferry Division just reported that the Swan Quarter to Ocracoke ferry will run this afternoon. (See Editor’s note above.)
The Hatteras Inlet ferries cannot run until NC12 on the north end of Ocracoke Island is cleared of sand and reopened. DriveNC.gov said the NC12 on Ocracoke and Hatteras is expected to be open by noon on Monday, Oct. 13.
The Outer Banks were battered overnight with high northeast wind gusts up to 60 mph and heavy rain. The worst flooding, upgraded to expected 3 to 5 feet of inundation above ground, beach erosion and hazardous surf could occur with today’s high tide at 12:30 pm, according to a Sunday morning briefing by the National Weather Service (NWS) Newport/Morehead City office.
Ocracoke village is already experiencing some flooding.
Storm warnings remain in effect for all coastal waters and the Pamlico Sound. High wind warnings and high surf advisories cover the Outer Banks from Cape Lookout north through Duck.
The impacts of the nor’easter will linger into early this week, improving slowly by midweek.
Dare County Emergency Management Director Drew Pearson said Sunday morning that water levels have risen beyond earlier forecasts. “Inundation levels are now 3 to 5 feet—an increase from two to four,” he said.
NC 12 on Hatteras Island was open Sunday morning, according to NC DOT but cautioned that travel is dangerous.
Dare County Emergency Management also advised residents and visitors to stay off the roads if possible, as conditions on NC12 are expected to deteriorate before, during and after the midday high tide. Those who must travel should anticipate flooding and potential closures, drive with extreme caution, and yield to NCDOT crews working in hazardous conditions to keep the highway clear and safe.
No more houses in Buxton collapsed overnight, but many remain vulnerable with the upcoming high tide.
Conditions are expected to gradually improve Monday into Tuesday, but residual flooding and beach erosion will continue into early week.
