The Lifeguard beach was getting back to normal Friday afternoon (Aug. 22). Photo: C. Leinbach/Ocracoke Observer
From our news services–updated 5:35 p.m.
The Hyde County Board of Commissioners have lifted the evacuation order for Ocracoke Island visitors and they will be allowed back on the island starting at 9 a.m. Saturday.
The Ferry Division will run its full summer schedules beginning Aug. 23 as follows:
Swan Quarter – Ocracoke: 7 a.m.*, 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Ocracoke – Swan Quarter: 7 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:45 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. Cedar Island – Ocracoke: 7:30 a.m.*, 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Ocracoke – Cedar Island: 7:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
(*Note: The Saturday, Aug. 23, 7 a.m. departure from Swan Quarter and the Saturday 7:30 a.m. departure from Cedar Island will be restricted to residents, property owners and essential personnel per Hyde County’s reentry procedures).
The evacuation order for essential personnel, residents, and property owners was lifted at noon today.
Highway 12 from Oregon Inlet to the Hatteras Ferry and Highway 12 on the north end of Ocracoke Island is still closed from the pony pens northward.
While NCDOT is working to clear that section of highway and resume access to South Dock for ferry service to Hatteras, there is no current access, and travelers should have confirmed lodging accommodations on Ocracoke Island, as they will not be able to travel north for those purposes.
Also, while access to the north is still unavailable, access for emergency medical services to transport patients off the island will also be impeded.
This route remains the most timely access for emergency medical services to transport patients off the island, other than medevac, and it is not available at this time.
The NCDOT Ferry Division will resume its normal summer schedule on the sound class routes on Saturday, August 23.
However, the first ferry run on Saturday will still be restricted for visitors and will be based on the following priority: essential personnel, residents, and property owners.
Starting at 8 a.m., the NCDOT Ferry Reservation System will be back online and available for bookings.
Robin Snyder, deputy superintendent of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, reported that the Park Service staff is assessing the beach as to when to reopen it to drivers.
NCDOT reported at 5 p.m. via Facebook that the north of the Pony Pens is covered in sand. “It is going to take a lot of work to get this road ready for traffic again,” the post says. “We will continue working to reopen NC12 on the north end of the island as quickly as possible.”
For real-time travel information, please check NCDOT’s DriveNC.gov and the NCDOT Ferry Division social media accounts. People can also receive text or email notifications on ferry schedules and changes through the Ferry Information Notification System, or FINS.
NC12 on Ocracoke at the sandbag area. NCDOT photo
Another view of the sandbag area on NC12 at the north end of Ocracoke. NCDOT photo
Road repair equipment for Ocracoke loads onto the Hatteras ferry. NC Ferry Division photo
The NCDOT just posted on Facebook that reinforcements have arrived today (Aug. 22) from Tyrrell, Hyde and Currituck counties to help with the recovery process on NC Highway 12.
Here is the message: “We are very grateful for their help!
“At this point, we’d like to answer the dozens of questions we’re receiving about a timeline to reopen the highway.
“The answer is, we don’t have one yet. Before we can schedule a reopening, three things need to happen:
“1. Hurricane Erin needs to STOP sending us her ocean overwash. The coastal flood advisory ends at 1 a.m. tomorrow, so we’re hopeful that the tides will be kinder to us going forward.
“2. We need to repair the dune breaches and clear the highway of standing water and sand, and then check to make sure there is no pavement damage (so far, we have no indications of any pavement damage).
“3) Assuming no pavement damage, we clear the road as best we can so it is safe to travel and then reopen it. If there is pavement damage, that will be a longer process.
“We understand that Saturday is ‘turnaround day’ on the Outer Banks. We understand how badly you want to get here. Trust us, no one wants to see this highway reopened more than we do.
“When we have a timeline on reopening, we will say so here. We will issue a press release. We’d shout it from the mountaintops if there were any mountains around here to shout it from.
“But safety is Job One, and we won’t be reopening Highway 12 until it is safe to do so.”
NCDOT will post more information on Facebook when it becomes available.
Ocracoke Island notes: The Variety Store hours will be 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The sandbag area as of 7 p.m. Aug. 21. Photo by Ben Knight
From our news services
The Hyde County Board of Commissioners have lifted the evacuation order for Ocracoke Island for essential personnel, residents, and property owners effective at noon today (Aug. 22) and sound class ferries will begin running this afternoon.
Access will immediately be allowed to Ocracoke essential personnel, residents and property owners who will be allowed access to the island in that order of priority pending NCDOT Ferry availability.
Today’s (Aug. 22) schedule will be: Swan Quarter – Ocracoke: Noon and 4 p.m. Ocracoke – Swan Quarter: Noon and 4 p.m. Cedar Island – Ocracoke: Noon and 4 p.m. Ocracoke – Cedar Island: Noon and 4 p.m.
The two routes will resume their regular summer schedules tomorrow.
The visitor evacuation order will remain in effect pending an assessment of NC Highway 12 at the north end of Ocracoke.
There was constant ocean overwash of that area and significant sand accumulation during the event. NCDOT is working to clear that section of highway and resume access to NC Hwy 12 and the Ocracoke to Hatteras Ferry service.
Hyde County will strive to reopen to visitors as soon as possible.
Please be advised that while access to the north is still unavailable, access for emergency medical services to transport patients off the island will also be impeded. This route remains the most timely access for emergency medical services to transport patients off the island, other than medivac.
The ferry reservation system is not available while an evacuation order is active. Spots will be available on a first-come, first-served basis with priority given in the following order: essential personnel, residents, and property owners.
You will need a Hyde County-issued reentry tag or picture ID with an Ocracoke address listed to gain access to the island.
For real-time travel information, please check NCDOT’s DriveNC.gov and the NCDOT Ferry Division social media accounts.
People can also receive text or email notifications on ferry schedules and changes through the Ferry Information Notification System, or FINS.
Even though Erin is moving far away from the Eastern Seaboard, impacts continue today for the Outer Banks especially between Oregon Inlet and Ocracoke due to continued large swells and wave run-up on the badly compromised dune structures.
NCDOT reported at 7 a.m. that this morning’s high tide cycle has already opened up two new dune breaches along NC Highway 12.
The first is a 200-foot long breach at the Canal Zone just south of Oregon Inlet. The other a 30-foot breach in a dune at the Pea Island Visitor Center. Plus, there is more overwash at Buxton, north of Hatteras and on the north end of Ocracoke Island.
NC12 remains closed on northern Ocracoke Island and the Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry service is suspended until the roadway opens.
The good news from NCDOT is that the crews who are out clearing and rebuilding dunes have seen no indication of pavement damage.
There is no word yet from the NC Ferry Division on when the Cedar Island and Swan Quarter ferries will resume.
Hyde County Manager Kris Noble will give updates on Hurricane Erin’s aftermath on “What’s Happening on Ocracoke” at 11:30 a.m. today (Friday) on WOVV FM 90.1, http://www.wovv.org.
Ocracoke Village experienced some minor high tide water on the roads again and no power outages during this stormy week.
Friday morning on the island sees the sun is peaking through the clouds, mid-70s temperatures and winds down to 10 mph.
Canal Zone just south of Oregon Inlet Friday morning, Aug. 22. Photo from NC DOT
The parking lot north of the pony pens. Photo by Byron Atkinson
NCDOT reported late this afternoon that NC HIghway12 remains closed south of the Basnight Bridge to Hatteras Village and on the north end of Ocracoke Island.
Crews were out today shoring up a few of the hotspots in preparation for what could be the most severe of the high tide cycles.
“We expect to see more overwash at tonight’s high tide at 7 p.m. and possibly tomorrow morning’s at 7:30 a.m.,” the post said. ‘The good news is, we have not found any indication of pavement damage yet. If that remains the case, it will make the reopening process quicker.”
The National Weather Service out of Morehead City reported that coastal flooding, storm surge, and overwash will peak with this evening’s high tide, around 7 p.m. Tropical Storm Warnings remain for the coastal waters from Ocracoke north to Duck.
Conditions will slowly improve Friday as Hurricane Erin races northeast away from the North Carolina coast.
The NC Ferry Division posted that all reservations for the Swan Quarter ferry on Friday (Aug. 22) have been canceled and payments refunded.
Hyde County Manager Kris Noble will give updates on Hurricane Erin’s aftermath on “What’s Happening on Ocracoke” at 11:30 a.m. Friday on WOVV FM 90.1, http://www.wovv.org.
Part of the sandbag area along NC 12 is flattened. Photo by Shanon Eiben
The ocean at the lifeguard beach has receded Thursday a few hours before high tide at 7 p.m. Photo: C. Leinbach
Tide waters returned at Irvin Garrish Highway and Silver Lake Drive an hour before Thursday evening’s high tide. Photo: C. Leinbach/Ocracoke Observer
The tide was rising in some of the hot spots on Ocracoke an hour before high tide. Photo: C. Leinbach/Ocracoke Observer
N.C. 12 north of the pony pens is closed while NCDOT crews work on the damaged areas. Photo: C. Leinbach/Ocracoke Observer
By Connie Leinbach
Hurricane Erin is on its way away from North Carolina, but it has left a damaged N.C. 12 in its wake.
The National Weather Service reports that significant inundation and overwash are ongoing on the Outer Banks from Hurricane Erin, and these will peak with both this morning’s and this evening’s high tide cycles.
High tide Thursday morning was at 6:30 and this evening’s high tide will be at 7 p.m.
Some flooding in Ocracoke Village is occurring on the roads that have drains, which are overflowing due to the high water, and near the mosquito control canals and marsh areas.
Water is especially high at Ocracoke Seafood Company, along Back Road and Sunset Drive at Trent.
The highest water levels are expected to occur with this evening’s high tide, around 7:15 p.m. on Ocracoke, so remain vigilant until the storm moves further offshore.
Amazingly, there was just a bit of rain as Hurricane Erin passed by.
Ocracoke’s county commissioner Randal Mathews this morning noted that while Ocracoke Village was largely spared, N.C. Highway 12 north of the pony pens was not.
In fact. N.C. 12 remains closed at the Marc Basnight Bridge this morning as Hurricane Erin continues to make a mess of things on NC12, according to a post on NCDOT’s Facebook page. Photos on that page show flattened dune areas but do not identify where the shots were taken.
Secretary of Transportation Joey Hopkins said on State Affairs Pro that the 148-mile N.C. 12 is the “interstate” of the Outer Banks and Gov. Josh Stein said “people love our Outer Banks. It’s a national treasure and we need to be able to get to them.”
NCDOT said on Facebook that it does not know when the road will reopen but reported the following road conditions: Kitty Hawk – No issues, minor blown sand, roadway is passable. Pea Island – Some overnight overwash and deep blown sand on roadway. Section closed. Buxton North End – Overwash occurred most of last night and during this morning’s tide. Sand and standing water on roadway. Section closed. Hatteras – Major overwash with dune breaches at yesterday high tide. Deep sand, water, and debris covering the roadway. Section closed. Ocracoke – Major overwash. Large sections of the protective dune are flat. Section is closed. Rodanthe – Significant overwash on several secondary sections.
Mathews said he is in touch with the NCDOT’s maintenance supervisor as to how progress is going on the road but had no specifics to report.
“N.C. 12 will be a challenge,” he said, adding that he and Hyde County Manager Kris Noble have talked with numerous state officials this morning. “EMS can’t go north and that’s going to be a major consideration as to when visitors can get back.”
As for when the ferries will run, that is up to the N.C. Ferry Division, who first have to make test runs to assess the channels in the Hatteras Inlet and the Pamlico Sound.
“Today is a wash,” Mathews said. “There’s no point in anyone thinking any decisions can be made until we coordinate with the Ferry Division and NCDOT.”
High water from the drain in front of the Ocracoke Seafood Company. Photo: C. Leinbach/Ocracoke Observer
High water on Back Road. Photo: C. Leinbach/Ocracoke Observer
Widgeon Woods near Lighthouse Road at high tide Thursday morning. Photo: P. Vankevich/Ocracoke Observer
The ocean at the Lifeguard Beach is much receded as high tide fades Thursday morning. Photo: C. Leinbach/Ocracoke Observer
Islanders check out the raging surf at the pony pen beach. Photo by Jeffrey Dippold
Observer staff report
Coastal flooding and overwash began ahead of this evening’s high tide at 6 p.m. for Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands.
The NCDOT posted on their Facebook page that NC12 will be CLOSED until further notice on the north end of Ocracoke Island between the Pony Pens and the Ferry Terminal. They will reopen the road as soon as it is safe to do so.
The ocean overwashes at the vulnerable sandbag area. Photo credit unknown
Later it posted that, unfortunately, Hurricane Erin’s storm surge was too much for NC12 and they closed NC12 from Oregon Inlet to Hatteras Village at 6:30 p.m. “Conditions are too unsafe for people to be driving in. If you come across any flood waters, turn around; don’t drown.”
Hurricane Erin may experience fluctuations in strength over the next 24 hours, according to a report from the National Weather Service out of Morehead City.
Conditions worsened in the evening with increasing large waves, coastal flooding and storm surge, along with tropical storm force winds. Storm surge could be 2 to 4 feet.
Coastal flooding/storm surge will be significant at multiple high tide cycles starting this evening and lasting into at least Friday for some of our coast. The period of strongest winds will be tonight (Wednesday) and Thursday.
The Pamlico Sound ferries stopped running Wednesday morning and the ferry to Hatteras stopped after the 5:30 p.m. run today.
The National Park Service facilities at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore) remain closed until further notice.
The Seashore is urging the public to stay away from beachfront areas as swells from Hurricane Erin impact the coast.
All areas of the Seashore are under a Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge Warning and the forecasts indicate the potential for life-threatening surf conditions along area beaches.
Ocean overwash has been observed at numerous Highway 12 hotspots within the Seashore and waves are washing over and through dune areas along some beach boardwalks, off-road vehicle ramps, and village roadways adjacent to the beachfront. Soundside flooding is expected on Thursday afternoon and evening.
Ocracoke Island Wednesday Aug. 20. Photo: P. Vankevich/Ocracoke Observer
The dune breech at the northern pony pen parking lot. Photo: C. Leinbach/Ocracoke Observer
The Ocracoke ponies in their pasture Wednesday afternoon. Photo: C. Leinbach/Ocracoke Observer
The sandbag area a few hours before high tide. Photo: C. Leinbach/Ocracoke Observer
Dangerous surf already arrived by Tuesday late afternoon. Photo: P. Vankevich/Ocracoke Observer
Heavy surf on Tuesday afternoon Aug. 20 around high tide laps at the dunes north of the pony pens on Ocracoke, but the biggest impacts are a day or two away. Photo: C. Leinbach/Ocracoke Observer
See notes at the bottom of this story.
By Connie Leinbach
After visitors evacuated Ocracoke Monday, the island was quiet Tuesday afternoon as it awaited the arrival of Hurricane Erin.
Though forecast to stay well off the coast, the storm, one of the largest ever, is bringing high surf, and at high tide Tuesday afternoon around 5 p.m. is overwashing Highway 12, which is Ocracoke and Hatteras island’s main lifeline.
Updates from the National Weather Service have issued a storm surge and tropical storm warnings for the Outer Banks, from Ocracoke to Duck in Dare County. Wave heights might reach 20 feet.
The Hyde County commissioners declared an emergency on Sunday night and ordered a mandatory evacuation for visitors and residents, which followed the earlier action by Dare County ordering an evacuation of Hatteras Island.
Erik Heden of the National Weather Service in a webinar Tuesday afternoon said that the heaviest winds will arrive Wednesday afternoon into Thursday.
He said some sound side water elevation will occur on Thursday afternoon, diminishing that night and into Friday.
“The seas will be very rough with lots of wave energy,” he said, and multiple days of big swells will cause beach and dune erosion.
Reports say storm surge could be up to three feet.
On Tuesday, while the day was clear and relatively calm, the surf was not and has already become dangerous. People should use extreme caution when venturing out.
A truck pulled into the parking lot just north of the pony pasture only for the driver to be surprised as water poured onto the lot from the beach.
Ocean water pours into the north pony pasture parking lot. Photo: P. Vankevich/Ocracoke Observer
At high tide Tuesday afternoon, in the multiple banks of waves, the height appeared to be at least 10 feet, noted Aaron Walker, a Park Service employee, who watched the roiling surf at the northern pony pen parking lot where the water had already breached the dunes and was flowing over the parking lot and into the road.
Other islanders were out looking at the rising water in various places on the island.
Hyde County emergency services officials arrived on Ocracoke Tuesday afternoon and will stay until the storm passes.
Brook Cox, Randal Mathews, Joey Williams and Kris Cahoon Noble set up emergency operations in the Ocracoke Community Center. Photo: C. Leinbach/Ocracoke Observer
But they said they are not so much worried about storm surge flooding in the village as they are the impacts the ocean battering will have on Highway 12.
Randal Mathews, Ocracoke’s county commissioner and board of commissioners chair, Hyde County Manager Kris Cahoon Noble, Joey Williams, Hyde County Emergency Management director, and Brook Cox, the EMS director, were set up in the Ocracoke Community Center Tuesday afternoon because Hurricane Erin will impact Ocracoke more than mainland Hyde County, Noble said.
All EMS personnel are remaining on Ocracoke, she said.
Williams said he ordered pallets of water and MREs for the island and Mathews said Tideland Electric Membership Cooperative has brought over electric poles, nine trucks and 14 additional linemen in case the power goes out.
“I’d rather be overprepared,” Williams said.
If communications go out, the island is equipped with an emergency WiFi system called Tekniam.
Tekniam modules are located at the Hyde County Sheriff’s office, the Community Center, the Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Company, the community ballfield, the old firehouse where WOVV broadcasts, and several other locations throughout the village.
When an outage occurs, islanders can go to any of the buildings listed above, or just go outside, and search for Hyco-PubEmgyAccess and no password is needed.
However, this system is for WiFi calling, emails and text messages only, Mathews said. It does not compete with existing providers, such as Brightspeed, and so it cannot be used for web surfing or watching videos.
The Ocracoke United Methodist Church also has a Starlink connection that does not need a password.
Ocracoke visitors ordered to evacuate the island on Monday wait for hours at the north end to catch the ferry to Hatteras. Photo: C. Leinbach/Ocracoke Observer
On Monday, visitors queued up at the north end to depart, some only having just arrived on Ocracoke a day or two before for vacations.
Joe Vaccaro of Charlestown, West Virginia, was with a group in a total of three cars at about 2 p.m. Even though they were somewhat near the front of the line of about 100 cars, they had been in line since 11:30 that morning.
Not wanting to totally lose their vacation, Vaccaro said the group rented a house in Kitty Hawk, which was not under evacuation.
Christopher Morgan of Richmond, Virginia, was in line for three hours and expected to take the next ferry to Hatteras Island. He has been visiting Ocracoke for four years, enjoying activities like music, hiking, photography and kayaking.
He had just arrived on the weekend. While enjoying the music at 1718 Brewing Ocracoke, he received a text from his mother-in-law who was tracking Hurricane Erin and told him there was a mandatory evacuation. Disappointed but not deterred, he said he plans to return for Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree in October, which coincides with his anniversary.
Notes: The Ocracoke Variety Store closed at 7 p.m. Tuesday and will close at 7 p.m. Wednesday unless deteriorating weather prompts an earlier close time.
Hyde County Public Information issued the following: Hurricane Erin evacuation shelter is at Warren County Parks & Rec, 113 Wilcox Street, Warrenton, NC 27589. It opened Tuesday morning and can hold up to 400 people. Please take up to 7 days of clothes and medicine with you. This is a pet-friendly shelter. Please take your pets with you when evacuating.
Approximate times of high tides in the next few days are as follows: 5:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday 6:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thursday 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. Friday
The Ocracoke Convenience site will close at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20.
Peter Vankevich contributed to this story.
The sandbag area at the north end was over washed late Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Paul Amburn
The Cape Hatteras National Seashore closed the Ocracoke beach to driving, but people can still visit the beach from other public parking areas. Photo: C. Leinbach/Ocracoke Observer
Ocracoke Islanders on Monday (Aug. 19) take advantage of the growing swells from the approach of Hurricane Erin to catch some waves. Photo: C. Leinbach/Ocracoke Observer
The National Weather Service out of Newport/Morehead City this afternoon, Aug. 18, issued a storm surge watch for the Outer Banks in advance of Hurricane Erin making its way up the Atlantic.
Impacts are expected to begin on Tuesday, with the most dangerous conditions peaking Wednesday into Thursday as Erin makes its closest approach to the region.
North end of Ocracoke Island Aug. 18 at almost high tide. Photo: P. Vankevich/Ocracoke Observer
The “watch” is issued for the possibility of 3 feet or greater of inundation above normally dry ground, adjacent to low lying areas near the water, the NWS said in an afternoon press release.
Coastal flooding may begin as early as Tuesday afternoon, more than 24 hours before any tropical storm force winds arrive.
Flooding may likely be a long duration issue impacting Highway 12 on the Outer Banks throughout the week.
In addition, tropical storm watches have been issued.
A slight uptick in wind speeds, especially near the immediate coast, is expected.
“We continue to emphasize that even though the center of Erin is still forecast to remain well off our coast, IMPACTS will occur well away from the center,” the NWS said. “This will be an extremely large storm and we expect impacts especially along our immediate coastline.
“The highest impacts in our area remain over the Outer Banks, where significant coastal flooding is likely due to large breaking waves and significant wave run up.
“Highway 12 on the Outer Banks may be impassable for several days. The best chance for tropical storm force wind gusts would also be over the Outer Banks, and immediate adjacent waters.”
Dare County issued a mandatory evacuation for Hatteras Island.
The Hyde County Board of Commissioners enacted a State of Emergency for Ocracoke Island effective at 8 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 17, due to the anticipated flooding impacts from Hurricane Erin and potential impacts to Hwy 12.
Additionally, a mandatory evacuation order has been issued for visitors starting at 8 p.m. on Sunday, August 17, and for residents starting at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 19.
Evacuation procedures will remain in effect for all Ocracoke-bound ferries until Hyde County emergency officials lift their evacuation orders. No visitors will be allowed access to Ocracoke Island until the evacuation order is lifted.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore) has closed beach accesses and facilities. Off-road vehicle (ORV) ramps were closed 9 pm on August 18 for the safety of ORV permittees before, during and after the impacts from Hurricane Erin.
OCRACOKE – As Hurricane Erin approaches the North Carolina coast, the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Ferry Division is assisting with the evacuation of all visitors and residents from Ocracoke Island.
Hyde County has issued a mandatory evacuation order for island visitors that began at 8 p.m. Sunday. A mandatory evacuation for residents begins tomorrow morning at 6 a.m.
Evacuees line up at the North Carolina ferry terminal on the north end of Ocracoke Island on Aug. 18.
“While we don’t expect Hurricane Erin to make landfall on the Outer Banks, there will likely be large waves, ocean overwash and major coastal flooding that impact Highway 12,” said Ferry Division Director Jed Dixon. “We hope everyone will heed the evacuation orders for their own safety.”
Only residents, homeowners or vendors with an Ocracoke re-entry sticker on their vehicles will be allowed on ferries inbound to Ocracoke. No visitors will be allowed access to Ocracoke Island until the evacuation order is lifted.
Priority boarding will be suspended for all vessels leaving Ocracoke, and tolls have been waived for ferries heading from Ocracoke to Cedar Island or Swan Quarter.
The Ocracoke-Hatteras, Ocracoke-Cedar Island and Ocracoke-Swan Quarter routes will run their published schedules until the evacuation is complete. Service on the Ocracoke Express passenger ferry, which runs between the village of Ocracoke and Hatteras Island, is suspended until further notice.
The National Weather Service has issued a coastal flood watch for Ocracoke Island from Tuesday afternoon through Friday evening.
Evacuation procedures will remain in effect for all Ocracoke-bound ferries until Hyde County emergency officials lift their evacuation orders.
For real-time travel information, please check NCDOT’s DriveNC.gov and the agency’s social media accounts. People can also receive text or email notifications on ferry schedules and changes through the Ferry Information Notification System, or FINS.
