Postmaster Celeste Brooks said that after discussing the situation with the Greensboro district, which processes mail bound for Ocracoke, it was decided to route the truck through Swan Quarter rather than Hatteras Island.

No mail was delivered Thursday, and the truck could not get reservations until Saturday morning, when it will catch the earliest boat from Swan Quarter.  Normal delivery will resume then, said Brooks, who admits the office is "playing it by ear," while Hatteras Inlet remains shallow and crossings are infrequent.

Postal workers will work as long as necessary to get all the mail into post office boxes on Saturday, she said.  Three days worth of mail will be arriving, and Brooks expects everything will be in boxes by 4 p.m.

Prescriptions arrived at Ocracoke Health Center Thursday morning, said Tiana Smith.  Beach Pharmacy arranged for Dwight Burrus to fly medications into Ocracoke.  "We're trying," said Smith.  "If we get it, we get it.  If we don't get it, we're sorry." 

Ocracoke Station manager Laurie Death said fuel was delivered on Monday, and there is no risk the tanks will run dry anytime soon.  Coke and Pepsi might run out, she said, and bags of ice are all gone. 

Ferrell Gas was unable to make its usual Friday deliveries, and hopes to come on Monday.

US Foods, Sysco and the Coors beer truck all arrived Thursday on the Swan Quarter ferry, and drivers spent the night on the island after re-supplying restaurants and grocers.

Weekly wine and beer deliveries from Tryon and Mutual Distributors did not make it to the island, but stock is adequate, said Roy Revels of Zillie's Island Pantry. 

Books to Be Red owner Leslie Lanier reported that the UPS truck will come by way of Swan Quarter Friday morning. 

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