With wind speeds in the 40’s and gusts of 50 mph and above, five of the ferry system’s seven routes are shut down including all ferry service to and from Ocracoke Island. According to Ocracoke ferry office Operations Manager Randy Barrow, the decision was made about 5:30 AM on Friday morning to discontinue service. When will service resume? “When conditions improve.”

According to the National Weather Service windy conditions are expected to persist through the weekend although the wind speeds will begin to diminish.

The decision to resume service depends on a variety of factors including wind speed and direction. Tim Hass, the Public Information Officer said that downtown Manteo is flooded. There is soundside flooding on Highway 12 between Avon and Rodanthe and blowing sand. He says “If you can stay home, stay home. If you have to drive, proceed with extreme caution."

The sound ferries have already been on a reduced schedule while dredging in the Big Slough Channel continues. Dredging was delayed by a few days while waiting for a part to repair the dredge. That has been done and the work should be finished within a week or two. Until dredging is complete the only ferries available to travel to Swan Quarter and Cedar Island are the Motor Vessels Silver Lake and Cedar Island. Although longer than the newer ferries they draw less water so they are able to navigate the diminished channel.

Until the winds die down, if you’re here, you’re here. In the words of Bob Dylan, “Tie yourself to a tree with roots, you ain’t going nowhere”.