If you don’t live on the Outer Banks, stay away and let those who do recover from the nor’easter that slammed the coast late last week.
Needn’t try it, officials urged Sunday, as N.C. Highway 12 is closed on Pea Island until no sooner than Wednesday morning, and visitors and nonresident property owners are not permitted to enter Hatteras Island under the Dare County’s state of emergency that took effect Saturday evening.
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For those who have legitimate business, North Carolina Department of Transportation activated Sunday emergency ferry service between Stumpy Point on the Dare County mainland and Rodanthe on Hatteras Island. A one-way trip takes about two hours.
There are no requirements for departure and anyone may use the emergency ferry to leave the island, but travelers should be prepared for long waits because of limited ferry capacity. And once visitors leave Hatteras Island, they cannot return under current entry restrictions.
The emergency ferry can accommodate both vehicles and walk-on passengers, officials said, but space is limited because the ferries can only hold about 25 vehicles.
Hundreds of cars have lined the road to the ferry launch since Sunday in the hopes of catching a departing ferry, so don’t be in a hurry. Also, ferry operations are subject to weather and marine conditions. Ferry schedules may need to be adjusted.
“Three ferries are operating, with capacity of approximately 250 vehicles over 24 hours. Due to limited capacity, long waits and significant delays continue. Travelers should be prepared with food, water, medications and other essentials while waiting,” the county said on social media Monday. “Dare County understands how difficult and frustrating these extended waits have been and appreciates the patience of those affected.”
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Effective Monday, the ferry departure times are as follows:
- Rodanthe to Stumpy Point: 2 a.m., 5 a.m., 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 5 p.m., 8 p.m. and 11 p.m.
- Stumpy Point to Rodanthe: 2 a.m., 5 a.m., 6:30 a.m., 8 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m., 8 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Under the county’s state of emergency, only Priority One and Priority Two individuals are permitted to enter the island. These restrictions apply to all ferry routes, including the emergency ferry and service between Ocracoke and Hatteras, officials said.
Priority One is for essential personnel, including utilities, government, medical and damage-assessment workers, who must present a valid entry permit and matching government-issued identification. Priority Two is for permanent Hatteras Island residents and essential personnel for critical businesses. Identification will be required, which can be a valid North Carolina driver’s license, identification card, voter registration card, or a 2026 entry permit.
Essential supplies continued arriving on Hatteras Island Monday as commercial trucks used the emergency ferry connection from Stumpy Point, Island Free Press reported. Gasoline delivery trucks and food delivery trucks were among the commercial vehicles reaching the island, helping replenish supplies after several days without normal road access to the mainland, according to the island newspaper.
The emergency ferry route between Rodanthe and Stumpy Point will remain in operation until traffic congestion on Hatteras Island subsides and officials determine the route is no longer required, officials said Monday.
Officials said there is no timeline for when visitor access will resume. Those with upcoming Hatteras Island reservations should not travel toward the island but should contact their accommodations provider directly about their reservation.
Dare County has opened an information line at 252-475-5655. Spanish translators are available.
Pea Island to reopen
N.C. 12 on Pea Island is expected to open to northbound traffic on Wednesday morning, state transportation officials said Monday.
The section of highway between the Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe has been closed since early Thursday when a 1,000-foot section of pavement near the Pea Island Visitor Center was damaged by repeated ocean overwash during a powerful nor’easter.
“After tidal conditions eased Sunday, work began on re-creating a protective sand dune along the highway while removing asphalt and grading for a one-lane onsite detour. Work continued early this morning, and crews are now confident that a Wednesday morning reopening will take place,” officials explained Monday in the press release.
Once the roadway reopens, a temporary detour for northbound traffic will be set up until congestion is cleared. There is no timeline for when the road will reopen to southbound traffic.
“Traffic volume is expected to be very high upon reopening, so motorists are advised to be patient and drive through the area with extreme caution,” officials continued. “After congestion on the Hatteras side is cleared, Dare County officials will announce when southbound traffic will be allowed. At that point, the one-lane detour will be controlled by automated signals.”
Ocracoke Island
The Cedar Island and Swan Quarter ferry routes to Ocracoke Island resumed Saturday.
Travel from Ocracoke to Hatteras Island is subject to Dare County’s emergency entry restrictions and on a limited schedule.
The ferry division website had the following schedule listed as of Monday afternoon:
- From Hatteras: Midnight, 6 a.m., 9 a.m., noon, 3 p.m., 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
- From Ocracoke: 4 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Cape Hatteras
Cape Hatteras National Seashore experienced significant impacts from the recent coastal storm, including damage to the Avon Fishing Pier, and the National Park Service advises the public to avoid entering the ocean because of storm debris.
The National Park Service said Monday afternoon that the pier sustained structural damage during the storm and is working with the pier’s lessee to evaluate the extent of the damage and determine next steps.
Entering the ocean should be avoided due to the potential for poor water quality associated with damaged septic systems.
Some of Hatteras island’s public beach access boardwalks have been buried or damaged from wave action and the beach remains closed from the northern boundary of Rodanthe to the pier in Rodanthe.
“A significant amount of private beach stairs and boardwalk decking, septic system parts, and wooden and metal debris from houses are littering the beach. Seashore staff and volunteers are working to clean up these items during routine patrols,” the park service said.
Cape Point and Frisco campgrounds remain closed at this time due to Dare County’s State of Emergency declaration. The campground is only open to campers who have not been able to leave Hatteras Island due to limited transportation options.
Most off-road vehicle ramps have reopened. Check real-time updates go.nps.gov/beachaccess. Routes may be hazardous because of debris.
Seashore information and updates are available at www.nps.gov/caha. For N.C. Highway 12 conditions, check drivenc.gov, for the ferry visit ncferry.org, and the Dare County website for updates to its State of Emergency declaration.
