Governor Josh Stein visited Dare County on Friday to review the aftermath of Hurricane Erin. The governor toured affected areas, including Frisco, where he met with small business owners and thanked emergency responders for their efforts during the storm. He was accompanied by NCDOT Secretary Joey Hopkins, NC DPS Secretary Eddie Buffaloe, NC Emergency Management Director Will Ray, Major General Todd Hunt of the North Carolina National Guard, and local officials from Dare County.
“While Hurricane Erin remained offshore, flooding and high winds impacted roadways along the Outer Banks, and the closure of NC 12 means that small businesses have had their livelihoods cut off during peak season,” said Governor Josh Stein. “I am thankful to the emergency officials and first responders for their tireless work to prepare for and respond to this storm, and I am confident they will work quickly to ensure folks’ safe return.”
The State Emergency Response Team is still active but plans to shift to Enhanced Watch monitoring status on Saturday. Teams from Swift Water Rescue, the North Carolina National Guard, and the U.S. Army Reserve that were deployed in response to Hurricane Erin are set to demobilize. The Outer Banks continue to face travel disruptions due to damaged dune structures and ongoing large waves at high tide. Minor coastal flooding may still occur in low-lying regions near shorelines and tidal waterways. Damage assessments are scheduled over the coming days.
NC 12 remains closed between key points: from the Northern Ferry Terminal to the National Park Service Pony Pens on Ocracoke Island, as well as from Marc Basnight Bridge to Hatteras Village on Hatteras Island because of overwash and breaches in dunes. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is working on reopening these sections by pumping out floodwater, clearing sand and debris, and rebuilding dunes.
Ferry service has resumed today between Ocracoke-Swan Quarter and Ocracoke-Cedar Island after Hyde County lifted its evacuation order for residents, property owners, and essential personnel. According to NCDOT’s Ferry Division guidelines aligned with Hyde County’s reentry policies, both routes will return to regular summer schedules tomorrow. However, ferry service between Hatteras-Ocracoke remains suspended since NC 12 is still closed between those locations.
Travelers can find up-to-date information at DriveNC.gov or through NCDOT’s social media channels (https://drivenc.gov/). Additional updates from state emergency management are available at ReadyNC.Gov/Erin (https://readync.gov/erin).
