Getting Back to the Sandbar

Sunday, September 16, 2018 - 22:06 Press Release

The Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry route remains CLOSED to the public today, but we did get some road crews and heavy equipment over to Ocracoke to work on clearing, inspecting, and repairing a closed section of NC12 between the ferry terminal and the Pony Pens.

NCDOT Ferry Division

Swan Quarter open to residents; no changes to re-entry restrictions for visitors.

Press Release #12: Hurricane Florence

Ocracoke Reentry Procedures for Monday, September 17, 2018 / Hyde County Offices Opening

At this time, no changes to the Ocracoke Island reentry procedures have been made. The only ferry terminal that will be in operation is the Swan Quarter Terminal. The Hatteras Terminal is still not operational due to the damage on Hwy 12 in Ocracoke. NCDOT crews are on site and working hard to get repairs done. The Cedar Island Terminal has not be assessed yet. There is no time table on when they will be operational.

The following reentry passes and vendors will be allowed to board the ferry in the following priority and will be strictly enforced:
1. Red Passes- Emergency Personnel
2. Yellow Passes - Essential Island Personnel
3. Vendors - See below for vendor priority listings
4. Green Passes - Permanent Residents

Vendor Priority List:

1 - Emergency Personnel and Equipment
2 - NCDOT Highway and Power Company Personnel and Equipment
3 - Sanatation Personnel and Equipment
4 - Mail and Parcel Delivery
5 - Commodities and Fuel Vendors

If you are not one of the above pass holders or a vendor, do not attempt to gain entry to the island. Entry is first come first served, there are no reservations. However, you will be bumped in line by anyone with a priority pass higher than yours. The ferry schedule for the Swan Quarter - Ocracoke route for Monday, September 17, 2018 will be as follows:
Swan Quarter Departures - 9:30 am, 10:30 am, 3:30 pm, and 4:30 pm
Ocracoke Departures - 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm, 6:30 pm, and 7:30 pm

Route schedules for after Monday have not been determined yet. As soon as we receive that information we will release it. If you are returning from out of town, check http://www.drivenc.gov for road conditions between you and your destination. You can also call 511 for road conditions.

At this time, there has been no determination on when non-resident property owners and visitors will be allowed back to the island. We will reassess conditions daily to evaluate the safety of allowing full reentry to the island.

The state of emergency for Hyde County is still in effect. The restriction of alcohol sales was lifted at noon today, Sunday, September 16, 2018 . The curfew order has also been lifted.

Hyde County offices will be opening for normal operations starting tomorrow, Monday, September 17,2018. Hyde County Convenience Sites will also be staffed.

If you have any questions or need assistance, call the Hyde County Emergency Operations Center at 252-926-3715.