OCRACOKE HURRICANE INFORMATION

HURRICANE AND STORM INFORMATION

The Atlantic hurricane season is officially from June 1st to November 30th.  However, in addition to hurricanes, the Outer Banks experiences other storms which may affect travel.  While no one wants to think about a hurricane happening during their vacation, it is important to know what to do if a hurricane threatens.

In the event of an approaching storm we will update this page with current information and status, so please check back frequently.

If a Hurricane Watch is issued by the National Weather Service, this means a hurricane MAY impact the area, typically within 48 hours. A Hurricane Warning means a hurricane is EXPECTED to impact the area, usually within 36 hours.

In the Event of a Hurricane

Don’t panic. Keep your car filled with gas in case an evacuation becomes necessary and pack food and refreshments for travel. Use this time to plan your route and consider possible hotels in case of an evacuation.

If there is a mandatory evacuation, you are required to leave. Please pack all belongings including food and leave as soon as possible. Be sure to bring everything, because you may not be able to come back, depending on the storm’s duration and severity. The weather is often beautiful and sunny in the days before a hurricane, but this is deceiving. High winds and flooding can arise suddenly, and roads and bridges will become congested, so please plan to leave as early as possible. Please note that ferries stop running at designated wind speeds and in advance of a storm, so please plan accordingly.

Trip Insurance

If you purchased trip insurance, you will be reimbursed for any vacation time lost due to a mandatory evacuation. Please remember that this applies to a mandatory evacuation only. To file a claim, visit the Red Sky website. If you have any questions concerning trip insurance, call Red Sky at 1-866-889-7409.

Re-entry

The decision to allow re-entry to Ocracoke Island after a storm is made by Hyde County officials.  However, please keep in mind that you may be traveling through other counties affected by the storm.  Please check their websites for updates. We will post information here as soon as it becomes available. Please refrain from calling our offices unless absolutely necessary, as staff will be out opening homes back up, or may be unable to get to work because of damage to their own homes. Re-entry is sometimes accomplished in phases, with homeowners and workers being allowed back on first. Please do not attempt to return before re-entry is allowed.

Visitors are encouraged to monitor the Hyde County website for detailed and updated information regarding access to Ocracoke Island. Hyde County Advisories are available at the Hyde County Website and Hyde County Emergency Services Facebook Page. News Releases are available at the North Carolina Ferry Division Website, via NCDOT Ferry Facebook, NCDOT Ferry Division Twitter and on NCDOT NC12 Facebook page.

Other Important Links and Information:

Dare County – Website http://www.darenc.com/emergencymanagement/

Carteret County Emergency Services http://www.carteretcountync.gov/

Local Radio Stations:

90.1 WOVV, Ocracoke Radio

99.1 WVOD, The Sound

Local TV Stations:

Local Cable Channels 7, 9 and 12

The Weather Channels – Channel 35