Based on current forecasts for the arrival of Hurricane Arthur, the North Carolina Department of Transportation's Ferry Division will suspend operations on its Ocracoke-Hatteras ferry operation at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 3 to enable crews to secure boats and shelter in safe locations before the storm arrives.

"We urge everyone who is evacuating Ocracoke Island to get to the ferry terminal as soon as possible," said NC Ferry Division Director Ed Goodwin. " Safety is always our first priority, and by suspending operations after our 5 p.m. departure, we will get evacuees to Hatteras in time to drive off the island before the worst of the storm hits, while also allowing our ferry crews to keep themselves and our boats safe."

In addition, the Ferry Division's routes between Ocracoke-Swan Quarter and Ocracoke-Cedar Island will suspend operations after their 4 p.m. departures. All routes will resume operations as soon as it is safe to do so.