Friday, April 10, 2026
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Stalled storm prompts WWII talk postponement, curtails ferry service

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Sound water breaches the bulkheads in Oyster Creek on Ocracoke. Photo: C. Leinbach

By Connie Leinbach

The Ocracoke Preservation Society has postponed the World War II talk scheduled for Wednesday due to impacts from a low pressure system parked off the Outer Banks.

High winds have suspended the ferries to Ocracoke since late Sunday afternoon and a coastal flood warning remains in effect from Duck to Buxton through Thursday morning.

N.C Highway 12 is closed from Oregon Inlet to the village of Rodanthe, the NCDOT said in a press release today.

The storm has brought strong winds and large waves to the Outer Banks for the last three days.

As a result, N.C. 12 is covered with sand and deep ocean over wash at the Pea Island Visitor Center and at the ‘S-Curves’ just north of Rodanthe, the N.C. Department of Transportation said. Conditions at other locations on N.C. 12 between Rodanthe and Hatteras Village are passable but difficult, with sand and standing ocean water at several locations. 

NC 12 on Pea Island. NCDOT photo.

NCDOT crews spent Tuesday morning and much of the afternoon trying to clear the roadway and build a protective berm to prevent the road from being undermined. As conditions allow, crews will continue to clear the road on Wednesday so it can be reopened to traffic as soon as possible. The weather forecast calls for slowly improving conditions beginning late Wednesday into Thursday.

The National Weather Service at Newport/Morehead City said over wash—particularly on Hatteras Island—may continue to occur through at least Wednesday evening.

“We’re sorry that it can’t happen this week to help us remember and honor the fallen crew of the HMT Bedfordshire,” said Sundae Horn, OPS event coordinator, about the talk cancellation.

She said they will reschedule the talk later this summer.

Duffus, author of “War Zone,” about World War II on the Outer Banks, was to present a talk, “War Zone: When World War II Was Fought off Ocracoke’s Beaches,” which includes video interviews with several now-deceased Ocracokers about life on Ocracoke during that time.

“It’s a disappointment, certainly, but our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this week’s nor’easter,” Duffus said about the cancellation. “I have been excited for the opportunity, thanks to Ocracoke Preservation Society, to share the memories of some of the island’s beloved residents and how their lives were impacted by World War II. They may all be gone but their voices are still alive, thanks to the interviews I did with them in 2001.

“They will still get to tell their story when we are able to reschedule my presentation, hopefully this summer, which will continue to be the 80th anniversary of the tumultuous summer of ’42.”

The talk was to be part of the 80th British Cemetery Ceremony at 11 a.m. Friday remembering the sinking of H.M.T. Bedfordshire, a British trawler, off the North Carolina coast on May 11, 1942, and which have been remembered every year since except for 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following that sinking, the bodies of four British sailors washed up on Ocracoke. They are interred in the British Cemetery, a small patch of England, along British Cemetery Road.

There’s no word yet as to whether Friday’s ceremony will be postponed.

Rising waters like this on Back Road can be seen all over Ocracoke. Photo: C. Leinbach

Mail has not arrived on the island for two days, said Celeste Brooks, Ocracoke’s postmaster, and she does not expect mail to get here on Wednesday, though she was optimistic about Thursday.

The NCDOT reported that the Tuesday night’s high tide was the worst one so far in this storm. High tide today was at 3:30 p.m.

The NCDOT said this on Twitter:

“In Buxton and Hatteras, there is deep water and sand on the roadway. While passable, it is not something you should drive through unless absolutely necessary.

“If you live on Hatteras Island, today is a day to stay off the roads and wait for the weather to calm down and for our crews to do their work.

“Keep in mind that ocean water, sand and debris can easily damage a vehicle and that other hazards—including significant road damage—may be hidden by flood waters.”  

Additionally, the Cape Hatteras National Seashore has confirmed that an unoccupied house at 24265 Ocean Drive, Rodanthe, collapsed this afternoon. This is the second unoccupied house collapse of the day at the Seashore.

The beach near Ocean Drive is closed and law enforcement officials will close Ocean Drive shortly. Visitors are cautioned to stay away from the beach in this area. As photos and videos from near the collapsed house sites are taken, they will be posted to the Seashore’s Flickr page.

For real-time travel information along the Outer Banks, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.

Continue to monitor updated weather conditions from the National Weather Service at www.weather.gov/mhx. 

Windy South Point on May 10. Photo: C. Leinbach

Portsmouth Island Homecoming returns

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The Portsmouth village post office that was open for the Homecoming. Photo: P. Vankevich

By Peter Vankevich and Hannah Bunn West

Time on Portsmouth Island moves more slowly than much of the world elsewhere, so they say.

But with regards to the Portsmouth Homecoming, even the most ardent supporters of the unhurried nature of village time wished it would carry them more quickly toward the long-awaited event.

Since 1992, the Portsmouth Homecoming ceremony has taken place every two years. But like many events in 2020, it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making it a painfully long four year wait to once again celebrate the island’s rich cultural and natural heritage. This year’s theme was “Portsmouth Rises,” fitting for post-pandemic life but also for Portsmouth’s recovery after Hurricane Dorian pummeled the village in September 2019.

About 400 attendees, many being descendants of the island’s families, arrived on April 23 by boat under a pristine Outer Banks sky and strolled through the historic village whose last three inhabitants left the island in 1971.

Also present was a film crew. The Tamassee Group, a nonprofit independent filmmaking group in collaboration with The Southern Documentary Fund, is producing a documentary for North Carolina-PBS on the cultural and environmental history of North Carolina’s Outer Banks. They found the return to Portsmouth Island and its restored village an ideal place to begin filming.  Of the remaining  20  buildings on the island, 11 were open including the church, the lifesaving station, and the schoolhouse.

Mellissa Sharber, of the Ocracoke post office, and Vivian Barnett, Hatteras post office, use the Portsmouth Post Office cancellation stamp during Portsmouth Homecoming. Photo: P. Vankevich

Inside the Portsmouth Island post office were Melissa Garrish Sharber, on assignment from Ocracoke’s post office, and Hatteras post office Postmaster Vivian Barnett. They processed post cards and envelopes with the Portsmouth Island cancellation stamp.

Former village caretaker Dave Frum, left, of Ocracoke catches up with two of his former bosses, Jeff West and Bob Vogel. Photo: P. Vankevich

Former village caretaker, Dave Frum, was in attendance as well. While not an ancestor of Portsmouth, one could say Frum is the next best thing. For 28 years he looked after the village part-time, taking his skiff over from Ocracoke. He retired in 2016 and was pleased to have a reunion with West, his former boss, and his predecessor, acting superintendent Bob Vogel.

The homecoming has a tradition of an hour-long formal ceremony beginning with a Presentation of Colors by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Kathy McNeilly, president of the Friends of Portsmouth Island, welcomed the crowd. Jim White, author of several books on the history of Portsmouth Island, served as emcee. His grandmother, Lucy Beacham Gilgo, moved to Portsmouth in 1922 to teach, and married Tom Gilgo. His grandfather’s family’s connection to Portsmouth dates to the early 1800s.

The Homecoming formal ceremony under the big white tent. Photo: P. Vankevich

History professor David Quinn provided a history of the island. He is the grandson of Dot Salter Willis who, until her death in 2010, was the last living person born on Portsmouth.

“Home is where you go to find solace,” he said in his opening remarks. Descendants had the opportunity to seek solace as they reunited with friends, visited former homesteads and laid flowers in family cemeteries nestled in the village.

Just as music was a vital part of village life in years past, it plays a key role at the homecoming celebrations. Folk singer Connie Mason sang her stirring composition “Marian’s Song,” in honor of Marian Babb, one of the last residents of the island. Descendant Carol Scheppard, granddaughter of Sarah Lincoln and James Archie Newton, the lighthouse keeper at Cape Lookout during WWII, sang a cappella the Mingulay Boat Song for the crowd before performing it on bagpipes.

Jeff West, superintendent of Cape Lookout National Seashore that administers the village, provided an update on its current state and the many building repairs following Hurricane Dorian. He extended a heartfelt thank you to his staff and volunteers for their dedication to saving the village while others would have written it off.

In a bittersweet moment, Jeff West acknowledged longtime volunteers Ed and Renee Burgess for more than 20 years of service in the village, noting that this year will be their last.

Though ending their many years of service to Portsmouth Island’s preservation, these and other devoted members of the older generation have illuminated the way for the next.

Earlier in the morning, Pastor Ivey Belch of Ocracoke’s Life Saving Church performed a christening, and the long silent sanctuary of the Portsmouth Methodist Church was once again filled with a chorus of voices young and old for the traditional hymn singing that took place afterwards.

Following the ceremony, the return of a traditional and enormous potluck was welcomed by the many hungry revelers, concluding a festive day.

For more information on Portsmouth Island and how you can contribute, visit Friends of Portsmouth Island.

History professor David Quinn, grandson of Dot Salter Willis. Photo: P. Vankevich

Hannah Bunn West is a writer and educator. She has just published her first book, Remarkable Women of the Outer Banks.

Ocracoke events May 9 to 14

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Monday, May 9
A community meeting to discuss the findings of a UNC team studying affordable housing on Ocracoke, 6 p.m. Ocracoke Community Center.

Wednesday, May 11
Ocracoke Community Library temporarily in the Deepwater Theater, School Road. Story time for toddlers: 10 am through May.
Ocracoke Oyster Company: Ray Murray, 7 pm
Ocracoke Community Center: “War Zone” talk by Kevin Duffus on the impacts of World War II on Ocracoke, 7 pm.—Canceled

Thursday , May 14

Ocracoke Decoy Carvers Guild open meeting, Community Center, 7 p.m. Canceled

Friday, May 13
British Cemetery Ceremony: 11 am; reception follows at Ocracoke Preservation Society museum, 49 Water Plant Rd.

Ocracoke Oyster Company: Barefoot Wade, 7 pm

The Breeze: The Eli Craig Band, 9:30 pm

Saturday, May 14
Ride the Wind Full Moon Kayak Tours, 7 pm. Sign up at http://www.surfocracoke.com or call 252-928-6311
The Breeze: The Eli Craig Band, 9:30 pm

Sunday, May 15
Ride the Wind Full Moon Kayak Tours, 7 pm. Sign up at http://www.surfocracoke.com or call 252-928-6311

Severe weather system will stick around until Wednesday, ferry service affected–updated May 10

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Tuesday morning (May 10)

Per NCDOT NC 12 Facebook: Current conditions at Mirlo Beach. High tide brought in deep overwash here and at the Pea Island Visitor Center. Again, Highway 12 is NOW CLOSED between Oregon Inlet and Rodanthe. We’ll have a better idea of how long it will take to reopen the road after first light this AM.

Ferry Service update: per Twitter, the Hatteras Inlet Ferry Operation route is still suspended due to high wind conditions. We are monitoring this weather closely, resuming operations when we can make safe passage. Call 252-996-6000 for updates and additional info.

For the Pamlico Sound ferries, per Twitter, 8 a.m.: Due to high winds Ocracoke to Cedar Island and Ocracoke to Swan Quarter ferries are cancelled this morning May 10th, 2022. We will reassess the situation this afternoon. Call 1-800-293-3779 for more information. The
10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Swan Quarter to Ocracoke cancelled today, May 10 due to high winds. We will reassess the situation this afternoon for the 4:30 p.m.

Cancellations so far for today 7:30 a.m. Cedar Island to Ocracoke; 10 a.m. Ocracoke to Swan Quarter, 1:30 Swan Quarter to Ocracoke and 4:30 Ocracoke to Cedar Island. For Hatteras-Ocracoke info call 252-996-6000.

For updates on the Ocracoke, Cedar Island and Swan Quarter runs, call the Ocracoke office at 252-996-6200 or 252-996-6201.

The National Weather Service out of Morehead City today (May 8) predicts that the robust low pressure system will persist offshore of the Outer Banks through mid-week, bringing several coastal hazards, including ocean overwash, coastal flooding, strong winds and dangerous surf conditions. 

There will be some intermittent rain showers, including possible thunderstorms, but this is primarily a wind event.

The Pamlico Sound ferries running from Ocracoke to Cedar Island and Swan Quarter were canceled for at least Sunday afternoon.

As of 2 p.m. the Hatteras Inlet ferries were still running on a reduced schedule for today and tomorrow, but the runs will be canceled when deemed unsafe. To see if the Hatteras Inlet ferries are running, call 252-996-6000. Update: Sunday, 3:30 p.m. : Hatteras ferry services is suspended due to high winds. The suspension may continue into tomorrow.

World War II talk on Wednesday will focus on Ocracoke’s part; British Cemetery Ceremony set for Friday

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Some long-passed Ocracoke Islanders during a talk at 7 p.m. May 11 in the Community Center will tell how Ocracoke was on the front line of World War II, when the island lost its innocence, and the lives of the ‘greatest generation’ were irrevocably changed. Graphic by Kevin Duffus

By Connie Leinbach

Long gone voices from Ocracoke’s past will be heard describing life here during World War II in a special presentation by North Carolina historian Kevin Duffus at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 11, in the Ocracoke Community Center.

Duffus’s talk, “War Zone: When World War II Was Fought off Ocracoke’s Beaches,” will be part of the 80th British Cemetery Ceremony remembering the sinking of H.M.T. Bedfordshire, a British trawler, off the North Carolina coast on May 11, 1942.

Following that sinking, the bodies of four British sailors washed up on Ocracoke. They are interred in the British Cemetery, a small patch of England, along British Cemetery Road.

The community will remember their sacrifice and that of many others at a ceremony at 11 a.m. Friday, May 13.

Duffus, an award-winning filmmaker and historian, will give a multi-media presentation from the perspective of Ocracoke islanders whom he filmed from 1997 to 2002 and from which he created a three-hour television documentary that focused on the first six months of 1942 when German U-boats waged unrestricted warfare on Allied merchant and military vessels off the Outer Banks.

All of the interviewees, who have since passed, will be familiar to many. Among them will be Blanche Howard Jolliff, Calvin O’Neal, Ulysses Mac Womac, Owen Gaskill, Blanche Styron and Theodore Mutro.

In 2012, Duffus expanded his research and oral histories in greater detail with a 300-page book of the same title, available at Books to Be Red.

Although Duffus has presented the “War Zone” lecture many times across the state, on Ocracoke, for the first time, he will combine the lecture, the filmed interviews and photos in one presentation.

“I’ve done hundreds of hundreds of lectures on various topics, and I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited about the opportunity to present a lecture as I am for this event on May 11,” he said in an interview. “It’s made me realize how significant World War II was to the development of Ocracoke and the change from the pre-war years, when life was very innocent on the island, to the post-war years when Ocracoke had become part of the world and experienced this incredible tragedy that occurred right off its beaches.”

From those interviewed, attendees will hear how the war altered islander life.

“You’ll hear Blanche Jolliff talking about how they were prohibited from going out to the beach for a good part of the war,” he said.

That’s because the government thought that Germans might try to land, he said.

“That was the fear, but it’s hard to imagine what it was like,” he said. “Every day, there was debris, and bodies and oil coming ashore.”

Duffus interviewed Arnold Tolson, who found Sub-Lt. Thomas Cunningham’s body, and described what happened afterward.

And Duffus said he has a surprise video clip that nobody’s ever seen but which is sure to be emotional.

Cunningham and Ordinary Telegraphist Second Class Stanley Craig were the only ones identified of the four sailors interred here.

The Ocracoke community, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and the Friends of the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum have worked together to care for the gravesites and honor these British sailors each year since 1942.

All are welcome to attend the graveside ceremony and reception that follows on the grounds of the Ocracoke Preservation Society (OPS) Museum. In case of rain, the reception will be in the Ocracoke Community Center.

Representatives from the British Royal Navy and Royal Canadian Navy will attend, as will members of the U. S. Coast Guard and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Ocracoke School Seniors Julian Bennink and Jackson Strange will read the names of the fallen, and Edwin Perez-Benitez and Savannah Hodson will hand out programs.

Howard Bennink will play “The Last Post” on the trumpet.

The OPS, which conducts the ceremony, welcomes donations from the public to help cover the costs of the event and is seeking volunteers for the reception. To help, contact Sundae Horn at 252-921- 0283 or sundaehorn@embarqmail.com.

The commemoration is sponsored by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the Ocracoke Occupancy Tax Board, and Ocracoke Preservation Society, a community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of Ocracoke Island’s historical and cultural heritage.

The British Cemetery Ceremony honoring the four British sailors buried on Ocracoke will be on May 13. Photo: C. Leinbach
‘War Zone,’ by Kevin Duffus is available at Books to Be Red.

Affordable housing on Ocracoke to be discussed Monday evening

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One of Sonyia Turner’s slide on the Ocracoke affordable housing study.

By Connie Leinbach

A community meeting to discuss the findings of a UNC team studying affordable housing on Ocracoke will be held at 6 p.m. Monday in the Ocracoke Community Center.

Sonyia Turner, project manager for the Development Finance Initiative of the UNC School of Government, gave an overview of the team’s finding at the May 2 Hyde County Board of Commissioners meeting, but she will go into more depth at this meeting, said Sara Teaster, Hyde County grant administrator.

Turner said her team works with municipalities across the state providing specialized real estate development and finance expertise.

Hyde County engaged her team to identify ways to increase housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income households.

The task was to identify development possibilities on up to three sites and then make recommendations on the next steps.

“Housing is affordable for households when their housing costs do not exceed 30% of their income,” Turner said in the presentation.

On Ocracoke, that translates to monthly rents in the range of $650 to $1,100, not including utilities.

Turner said the median income in Hyde County is about $58,000, yet all of the essential workers on Ocracoke earn less than this.

Most of Ocracoke’s affordable housing is not subsidized (by the government), she said, making these homes vulnerable to changes in the market, such as when a homeowner decides to turn their home into a weekly rental displacing the year-round resident.

Ocracoke’s private employers provide more than half of housing for essential workers, she said.

Of the 870 permanent residents, 630 of those are in the labor force with roughly half of them in year-round jobs.

She noted that half of the rental units were lost in Hurricane Dorian. There were 94 rental units in 2011, and 54 after Dorian.

So, she said, all essential workers are renting and competing for the 54 houses, and vacancies are little to none.

Today, there are 111 units that are “other,” or boats or campers, which are highly vulnerable to storms. In 2011, there were 106 of these kins of units, she said.

“Most people living in these do so because there’s no available housing stock on the island,” she said. “The prevalence of campers indicates there’s an existing need for affordable housing today.”

In getting to a solution, the high cost of land on Ocracoke is a factor in trying to develop truly affordable housing.

Public participation, such as “mezzanine loans,” for private developers is needed, she said, to help ease the financial burden of undertaking such development.

These loans are subordinate to the main loans a developer would obtain, but they would “reduce the amount of money the developer has to bring to the table for the project.”

Turner said the Ocracoke Development Ordinance would need some revision to accommodate increased density, or, increased number units.

“That’s important in a place like Ocracoke where you have high land costs,” she said, noting that multi-family construction is essential for affordable housing because it spreads the costs across more units.

At the meeting she will go into her findings and possible solutions in more detail.

Turner and her team will attend virtually and those who can’t attend in person can watch on Hyde County’s Facebook page: Hyde County Public Information.

A slide showing some of the considerations going forward.
This slide shows how other communities addressed affordable housing.

Severe weather heading this way could include overwash

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Prolonged stormy weather can lead to overwash on NC 12. Photo: P. Vankevich

From our news services

The National Weather Service has issued a severe weather warning with the first round of thunderstorms possible beginning early this afternoon (May 6), then another round later this evening and overnight.

Beyond Friday, a prolonged period of coastal flooding is expected Sunday through Wednesday as a low pressure will remain nearly stationary off the coast Sunday through Wednesday, the NWS said in a press release. 

During that time multiple days of strong north to northeast winds will combine with offshore waves of 10 to 15 feet. This will produce severe beach erosion, minor to moderate coastal flooding, ocean over wash, dangerous surf conditions with high threats for rip currents. 

The highest threat will be oceanside from Cape Hatteras north.  This will occur over multiple high tide cycles. Elsewhere elevated water levels are expected for multiple days across sound side Hatteras and Ocracoke Island, Downeast Carteret, and the lower Neuse River.

The latest forecast said that winds are trending a bit stronger than a previous forecast, increasing confidence that the Outer Banks will experience impacts from ocean overwash and coastal flooding.

Celebration for Springer’s Point Preserve set for May 27

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A winter sunset at Springer’s Point. Photo: P. Vankevich

From our news services

In 2002, the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust, with the support of many individuals and organizations, purchased 42 acres at Springer’s Point located on the Ocracoke Inlet edge of Ocracoke village, permanently saving it from development. An adjacent 91 acres was added in 2006 with grant funds from the N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund and an additional two acres was added last year.

In May 2006, it opened to the public, and visitors since then can walk through a maritime forest, tidal red cedar forest, salt marsh and wet grasslands and enjoy a sound front beach facing Teach’s Hole, the legendary spot where Blackbeard the pirate met his demise at the hands of British naval Lt. Robert Maynard’s forces.

This year new added trails will allow visitors to experience more of the Preserve.

The Land Trust intended to celebrate Springer’s 15th year anniversary, but like many public events last year, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a cancellation.

So, this year, it’s a sweet 16 celebration and will take place at the Berkley Barn from 5 to 8 pm Saturday, May 27.

This casual wear fundraiser is to support the activities of the preserve with a suggested donation of $75 per person. RSVPs are due by May 15. Click here to RSVP.

For questions contact Stephanie Borrett, director of donor relations, at 910-790-4524×2090.

OVFD Firemen’s Ball to return May 28

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The live auction at the Firemen’s Ball. Photo: C. Leinbach

The Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department doesn’t only need people who can run into burning buildings, it needs volunteers to drive the trucks, handle hoses, do administrative work and more.

And the return of the Firemen’s Ball, will help the OVFD raise funds needed to obtain and maintain the equipment and train volunteers needed on an island like Ocracoke.

In addition to grants, this party, scheduled for Saturday evening May 28 in the Berkley Barn, adds tens of thousands of dollars to the fire department’s coffers for its work.

The schedule is as follows:

4-6:30: Silent Auction
5-6:30: Pig Pickin’ (or until the food runs out, which it always does). Plates and drinks are $15.
Inside, donations are accepted for cold beer generously donated by 1718 Brewing Ocracoke.
7: Live Auction
8:30: Live music by The Dune Dogs and The Ocracoke Rockers

The OFVD building became the command center for relief efforts right after Hurricane Dorian hit on Sept. 6, 2019, and it remained so into November.

The company heard from many how grateful they were to have that building, where dozens of emergency responders descended to help the people of Ocracoke who lost so much in this unprecedented disaster.

Being an island, Ocracoke needs the best equipment and all personnel ready to go as help from any other fire department is at least two hours away, which puts the island in a very vulnerable position.

During a recent meeting of the Ocracoke Occupancy Tax Board to review grant requests, Assistant Fire Chief Ernie Doshier noted that the ladder truck, from which a volunteer can pump water onto a roof, was instrumental in containing the fire November 2017 at the Pirates Chest.

It also is important to have this kind of truck because of all the houses being raised on Ocracoke.

“That ladder truck is certified to get people out of high places,” Doshier said.

So having equipment like that is crucial on an island like Ocracoke.

Currently, the company is fundraising for a new pumper truck since the one they have is more than 20 years old, he said.

Unlike other counties, Hyde County has no fire tax and so the company relies heavily on individual and business donations for operating costs.

Anyone wishing to help can consider a donation or sponsorship or donating goods or services for the live and silent auctions. (See graphic below.)

Event organizers make sure that individuals and businesses are recognized for all donated products and services and May 10 is the deadline for getting your name in the print advertising options.

For details about donating visit http://www.ocracokefiremensball.com.

Ocracoke Planning Board seeks moratorium on approving food truck permits

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By Connie Leinbach

The Ocracoke Advisory Planning Board at its April 13 meeting voted to ask Hyde County to put a moratorium for several months on approving food truck applications for Ocracoke.

This would have to be approved by the Hyde County commissioners preceded by a public hearing.

A meeting of the planning board will be held at 3:30 p.m. Thursday (May 5) in the Ocracoke Community Center. Board Chair Corky Pentz said the issue of a moratorium will be on the agenda.

The reason for the moratorium is because the regulation governing these businesses is vague and Hyde County Health Department has received three requests for permits, it was reported.

However, a check with Roni Collier of the Hyde County Health Department, who inspects food service concerns, said there are no pending food truck permit applications.

“Every spring I’ll get quite a few requests and they think they’re going to park at the Lifeguard Beach,” Collier said. She tells them that’s NPS property and they have to be the ones permitting that and then she no longer hears from them.

Currently, the only food trucks on Ocracoke are Eduardo’s, Suazo’s Taqueria, the recently opened Kayla’s Country Kitchen, and Old Salt Sandwiches and Such, which, she said, technically is a “food stand.” She said she will discuss these and the different state regulations at the meeting.

True food trucks need to be mobile while adhering to state health regulations.

Some of the food trucks already on the island have placed picnic tables outside, which invite customers to sit and linger. So, does that make them a restaurant? some local restaurateurs have asked.  

If so, they need adequate parking (one parking space for every four-top), the same as all the other fixed-site restaurants do.

And is there adequate septic for patrons?

These are questions the board tossed about that need a lawyer’s attention.

“It’s beyond the scope of this board to rewrite the regulation without a comprehensive plan,” said Garrick Kalna.

A moratorium would give the board time to review the outdoor sales regulations added in 2013 to the Ocracoke Development Ordinance

This issue is part of the growing pains the island has undergone in the last two years as more houses have been built and visitors wanting to escape the COVID-19 pandemic flooded the island last year and in 2021.

“It’s getting tricky,” said Sue O’Neal, one of the board members. “We have growing pains, but we can’t just let it be a free for all.”

Parking all over the island is an issue, but it’s especially acute around some of the food trucks.

“I want to talk to DOT for possible no parking signs where there are safety issues suggested by local law enforcement,” said Ocracoke’s commissioner Randal Mathews. “We know local businesses use the right of way but there is a lot of pedestrian traffic, so we need safe areas on the shoulders.”

The planning board deals with the Ocracoke Development Ordinance and is in the process of reviewing this document.

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