From our news services
The Ocracoke Access Alliance (OAA) is calling on Gov. Josh Stein to take immediate emergency action to address the escalating threat to North Carolina Highway 12, the sole ground transportation link serving Ocracoke Island.
The Alliance strongly supports recent requests submitted by state Senator Bobby Hanig and Hyde County officials urging Stein to issue a State Disaster Declaration for NC-12.
Such a declaration could unlock critical Federal Highway Administration emergency funds needed to stabilize and protect this vital corridor.
“Ocracoke’s access is at risk, and delays put our community, economy and public safety in jeopardy,” said Justin LeBlanc, executive director of the Ocracoke Access Alliance. “Emergency action is necessary now to ensure safe and reliable access for residents, businesses, and the hundreds of thousands of visitors who depend on NC-12 each year.”
The Alliance has formally requested a meeting with Stein to discuss emergency and long-term actions and stands ready to work collaboratively with state leaders to protect NC-12 and the future of Ocracoke Island, LeBlanc said
On Ocracoke, immediate sandbag reinforcement work is currently planned to begin this spring. OAA expressed appreciation to Stein, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, and Highway Division 1 for their continued efforts to keep NC-12 passable under increasingly challenging conditions. The Alliance urged that every possible step be taken to expedite this work.
Beyond emergency stabilization, OAA emphasized the importance of pursuing long-term solutions.
Hyde County Board of Commissioners Chair Randal Mathews identified beach nourishment as a critical next step. Once evaluated, the Alliance urges that the permitting process for beach nourishment move forward without delay.
“The National Park Service already approved a Sediment Management Plan in 2023,” said LeBlanc. “With federal approval in place, we must act swiftly to secure state permits—or appropriate waivers—to fast-track this work before conditions worsen.”
According to NCDOT Highway Division 1, approximately $18 million has been spent since 2019 maintaining NC-12 on Ocracoke alone, underscoring the financial case for larger, more durable investments that could reduce long-term costs and repeated emergency repairs.
OAA also stressed the importance of community involvement as decisions are made about long-term solutions.
“Our residents and business owners live with these challenges every day,” LeBlanc said. “Their experience and insight are essential to identifying solutions that work for both the island and the state.”
The Ocracoke Access Alliance is a nonprofit advocacy organization composed of local businesses and residents dedicated to securing safe, reliable, and efficient access to the island.
The organization focuses on sustainable funding for the North Carolina Ferry System and long-term solutions for recurring NC-12 “hotspots” in both Dare County and on Ocracoke Island.
More information, visit www.ocracokeaccessalliance.org.
