Hyde County officials are pleased to announce that Ocracoke Island will be open to visitors starting Thursday, October 8, 2015. 

NC HWY 12 on Ocracoke is currently closed between the Pony Pens and the Hatteras Ferry terminal but will reopen Thursday morning, October 8th.

The Ferry Division will make one run from Ocracoke to Cedar Island at 4:00 p.m. and one run from Swan Quarter to Ocracoke at 5:00 p.m. this afternoon. As a reminder, visitors are not allowed access to Ocracoke until tomorrow, October 8, 2015.

The Cedar Island and Swan Quarter ferry routes will resume normal operations at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow, Thursday, October 8. A final decision about the Hatteras ferry will be made later this afternoon, and if conditions allow the Hatteras-Ocracoke route will also resume normal operations at 7:00 a.m. Thursday, October 8. Please check the NC Ferry website for updates and schedule information.

All major roads on the Hyde County mainland are clear. The shelter at O.A. Peay School is no longer open. 

All Hyde County government offices, including the Hyde County Health Department and Hyde County solid waste convenience sites will resume normal operations Thursday, October 8. The Hyde County Board of Commissioners meeting has been rescheduled to Monday, October 12, 2015.

  Safety Information

• Drivers should continue to exercise caution on roads with standing water. 
• Please read the following Public Safety Announcement from the Hyde County Health Department:

 

PROTECTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND PREVENTION OF ILLNESS and INJURY FOLLOWING FLOODING

  Be safe in days following local flooding   The public and visitors in Hyde County are strongly encouraged to avoid direct contact with flood waters due to potential exposure to bacteria and other potentially harmful substances.  This is especially encouraged for young children, elderly, and immune compromised individuals.

This includes secondary exposure to young children from boots, waders, clothing, etc. stored in garages, mudrooms, houses.  

Also, everyone is strongly encouraged to use caution when inspecting, repairing and generally recovering from flooding affects in and around their homes and businesses - wildlife, bees, insects, rodents, snakes, etc. are potentially present in unexpected places where they may have been escaping flood waters.  

Finally, if anyone who has had skin or otherwise direct exposure to flood waters and becomes ill, go directly to one's medical provider of choice for treatment, or contact the Hyde County Public Health Department beginning 8:00 AM Oct 8, 2015 when our offices re-open.  If a need is evident for tetanus vaccinations and/or boosters we may be able to obtain a supply to administer.