Update on Post-Storm Recovery

The National Weather Service has issued a Coastal Flood Advisory for Ocracoke and counties adjacent to the Pamlico Sound for minor sound side flooding through late this evening. Continued large swells will produce dangerous rip currents especially north of Cape Lookout. High water levels across the Pamlico Sound will lead to minor sound side flooding for adjacent land areas. 

The NCDOT Ferry Division began runs from Swan Quarter and Cedar Island this morning following their regular winter schedule. At this time residents, non-resident property owners, vendors and essential service personnel are allowed access to the village. Please be prepared to show documentation of the aforementioned statuses to gain access to the island. Individuals wishing to gain access will need to have the appropriate re-entry tag or they will be required to produce evidence of property ownership or residency. There has been no determination as to when visitors will be allowed access.

The NCDOT Ferry Division reports that it is working conjunctively with the US Army Corp of Engineers and the United States Coast Guard to restore complete service on the Hatteras route and will open that route as soon as possible. Additionally, Dare County law enforcement officers will be enforcing the entry/re-entry priorities and restrictions, established by Hyde County, at their checkpoints on NC Highway 12. 

Hyde County officials will be issuing a debris removal notice to proceed. Attached, please find instructions detailing how your debris should be separated and placed within the NCDOT right-of-way to be retrieved. Please do not transport storm debris to the convenience sites as the facilities have limited capacity for the volumes expected. In addition, the convenience sites in Swan Quarter and Fairfield are closed today due to flooding and there is substantial flooding on the roadways leading to the Sladesville convenience site. 

The Fairfield Drainage District has declared a drainage emergency due to inundation from the Alligator River which is impacting mitigation structures in the district. Hyde County is coordinating with the Fairfield Drainage District and Mattamuskeet Association to identify and obtain resources for their response and recovery efforts. There is standing water on NC Hwy 94 between Fairfield and Columbia at the Northwest Fork. NCDOT and Hyde County urge commuters to find alternate routes to and from Hyde County. 

Tideland EMC reports services have been fully restored. Hatteras dropped transmission at 12 noon to replace the broken pole on Hwy 12. Tideland EMC sent a text informing Ocracoke residents that transmission restoration was underway. 

If traveling throughout North Carolina, please refer to https://www.ncdot.gov/traffictravel/ or https://tims.ncdot.gov/tims/regionsummary.aspx for the latest road closures and routes open to travel. If using the TIMS site, you will have to select the region or individual counties you are traveling through to obtain specific information regarding your travel plans. 

Please do not drive through flood waters or on flooded roads. Water only two feet deep can sweep away most automobiles. Death can occur as a result of careless or unsuspecting motorists who attempt to drive through flooded roads. Turn Around. Don't Drown. If your vehicle is flooded please disconnect the battery cables to prevent a fire from occurring. 

Please be advised, flood waters may contain sewage and other harmful contaminants. Keep children and pets out of flood waters. 

Please maintain awareness and monitor for further updates from Hyde County Public Information.