Featured Outer Banks News

What's New

N.C. 12 remains open; Coastal Flood Warning Issued for Hatteras an ...

September 23, 2022 | Local News

N.C. Highway 12 remains open and passable after Friday morning’s 6:30 a.m. high tide, however, moderate to major ocean overwash is now possible for Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands, per a recent update from the National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City office. Wave runup from powerful swells will bring ocean overwash to locations with vulnerable dunes. Beachfront [...] Local News |  Full Article

Minor ocean overwash reported with Thursday evening’s high t ...

September 22, 2022 | Local News

Minor ocean overwash was reported north of Hatteras village and on northern Ocracoke Island with Thursday evening’s high tide, however, North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) crews are clearing the roadway, and N.C. Highway 12 remains open and passable throughout Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands. NCDOT stated in a social media update that they are preparing [...] Local News |  Full Article

Cape Hatteras Schools to operate on a 3-hour delay on Friday, Sept. 22

September 22, 2022 | Local News

Cape Hatteras Elementary School and Cape Hatteras Secondary School will operate on a 3-hour delay on Friday, September 23, due to anticipated road conditions and possible flooding from distant Hurricane Fiona. While Fiona is expected to remain well offshore, strong long-period swells from the hurricane will result in several days of dangerous rip currents, minor [...] Local News |  Full Article

Meet the Outer Banks SPCA Pet of the Week Max

September 21, 2022 | Community News Brief

Meet the Outer Banks SPCA pet of the week, Max, courtesy of their latest video produced by Dare County’s CURRENT TV. For more information on Max, and the many other Outer Banks pets currently up for adoption, visit the Outer Banks SPCA website at https://www.obxspca.org/, or their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/obxspca/

Hurricane Fiona to bring dangerous rip currents and possible ocean ...

September 21, 2022 | Local News | By: Joy Crist

While Hurricane Fiona is expected to have no direct impacts to the Outer Banks, there will be an extended period of dangerous rip currents developing Thursday and continuing into the weekend, due to long-period large swells from the strengthening hurricane, per an update from the National Weather Service (NWS) Newport/Morehead City Office. In addition, some [...] Local News |  Full Article

Lighthouse builder Dexter Stetson laid sturdy foundations

September 20, 2022 | Island Features | By: Kipp Tabb | From The: Coastal Review

The three lighthouses north of Ocracoke on the Outer Banks, Cape Hatteras, Bodie Island and Currituck Beach, built between 1869 and 1875, have withstood hurricanes, nor’easters and the harsh coastal environment, although the Hatteras light was moved landward in 1999 to spare it from the encroaching Atlantic. The trio all share design features that were [...] Island Features |  Full Article

Gordon Thompson

September 20, 2022 | Obituaries

FRISCO — Gordon Thompson, 71, of Frisco, North Carolina, died on September 13, 2022, at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital of complications following successful surgery for cancer. He was born on May 26, 1951, in Glen Ridge, New Jersey, to Elliott A. Thompson and Eleanor Bromley Thompson. A graduate of New England College, he lived and [...] Obituaries |  Full Article

N.C. 12 remains open; Coastal Flood Warning Issued for Hatteras an ...

September 23, 2022 | Local News

N.C. Highway 12 remains open and passable after Friday morning’s 6:30 a.m. high tide, however, moderate to major ocean overwash is now possible for Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands, per a recent update from the National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City office. Wave runup from powerful swells will bring ocean overwash to locations with vulnerable dunes. Beachfront [...] Local News |  Full Article

Minor ocean overwash reported with Thursday evening’s high t ...

September 22, 2022 | Local News

Minor ocean overwash was reported north of Hatteras village and on northern Ocracoke Island with Thursday evening’s high tide, however, North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) crews are clearing the roadway, and N.C. Highway 12 remains open and passable throughout Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands. NCDOT stated in a social media update that they are preparing [...] Local News |  Full Article

Cape Hatteras Schools to operate on a 3-hour delay on Friday, Sept. 22

September 22, 2022 | Local News

Cape Hatteras Elementary School and Cape Hatteras Secondary School will operate on a 3-hour delay on Friday, September 23, due to anticipated road conditions and possible flooding from distant Hurricane Fiona. While Fiona is expected to remain well offshore, strong long-period swells from the hurricane will result in several days of dangerous rip currents, minor [...] Local News |  Full Article

Hurricane Fiona to bring dangerous rip currents and possible ocean ...

September 21, 2022 | Local News | By: Joy Crist

While Hurricane Fiona is expected to have no direct impacts to the Outer Banks, there will be an extended period of dangerous rip currents developing Thursday and continuing into the weekend, due to long-period large swells from the strengthening hurricane, per an update from the National Weather Service (NWS) Newport/Morehead City Office. In addition, some [...] Local News |  Full Article

Coastal management staff to draft revised septic setbacks

September 16, 2022 | Local News | By: Trista Talton | From The: Coastal Review

State rules on where septic tanks can be located on oceanfront properties are likely to change in the coming months. The North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission Thursday gave the green light to Division of Coastal Management Director Braxton Davis to move ahead with proposed changes to existing rules, including setbacks and permit requirements. Davis indicated [...] Local News |  Full Article

Waterways Commission navigates new hurdles to schedule fall dredgi ...

September 16, 2022 | Local News | By: Catherine Kozak

Absent emergency measures, bureaucratic snares could yet again hinder navigational safety in Hatteras Inlet, leaving members of the Dare County Waterways Commission worried about a lackluster fall fishing season because of poor channel conditions. At its first in-person meeting since the Coronavirus pandemic began in March 2020, held Monday evening at the county Administrative Building [...] Local News |  Full Article

Imperiled beach houses a problem fraught with legal perils

September 14, 2022 | Local News | By: Catherine Kozak | From The: Coastal Review

Big houses falling into the ocean on the Outer Banks earlier this year had many people wondering why the government didn’t do more to proactively get the houses off the beach before they collapsed, with debris spreading for miles. The changing climate has added urgency to already complex balances between private property rights and public [...] Local News |  Full Article

Virtual Sea Turtle Nest Excavation scheduled for Thursday, September 22, at 6:00 p.m.

September 21, 2022 | Seashore News | By: Joy Crist

Biological science technicians from the Cape Hatteras National Seashore will excavate a sea turtle nest on Ocracoke Island on Thursday, September 22, and Outer Banks Forever will be streaming the event live on their Facebook page, starting at 6:00 p.m. During this excavation, a park biologist will dig up a recently hatched nest, count the empty shells, and collect unhatched eggs for research. Park staff will also share information about the sea turtles that nest on the Outer Banks beaches, and will also explain what is going on throughout the excavation. The event may be postponed or canceled due to inclement weather. Please stay tuned to Outer Banks Forever’s Facebook page for any updates on the date and time of this excavation. For more information and to learn about additional upcoming nest excavations, the public can contact the Cape Hatteras National Seashore sea turtle nest ex [...] Seashore News |  Full Article

25th Annual Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival is Returning for 2022 on October 18-23

September 24, 2022 | Island Features

After a two-year shutdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival, (which is celebrating its 25th year in 2022), is returning to the Outer Banks, and registration is currently open for any visitor or resident who wants to join in this Outer Banks-wide and multiple-day event. The festival will be held from October 18-23, (with a special Encore weekend on December 9-11), and folks can register online in the weeks leading up to the event at https://2022wingsoverwater.my-trs.com/. This national wildlife refuge fundraising event was initially launched in 1997 with just a few offered activities, and in the past 25 years, the event has grown to include more than 90 birding, paddling, photography, art, and natural history programs. The festival takes place in six national wildlife refuges over six northeast North Carolina counties, and locally, many activities t [...] Island Features |  Full Article

Lighthouse builder Dexter Stetson laid sturdy foundations

September 20, 2022 | Island Features | By: Kipp Tabb | From The: Coastal Review

The three lighthouses north of Ocracoke on the Outer Banks, Cape Hatteras, Bodie Island and Currituck Beach, built between 1869 and 1875, have withstood hurricanes, nor’easters and the harsh coastal environment, although the Hatteras light was moved landward in 1999 to spare it from the encroaching Atlantic. The trio all share design features that were [...] Island Features |  Full Article

Island Real Estate: Hatteras Island home sales and trends as of September 2022

September 15, 2022 | Real Estate | By: Stephen Smith

We have seen lots of changes in the market since the Federal Reserve started rapidly raising their funds rate earlier this year. The average 30-year mortgage has seen an increase from 3.41% in early January to 6.3% as of this writing. This has had a huge impact on sales volume, as buyers are more inclined to wait out the storm and hope for lower rates in the future before buying. How much of an impact do these rising rates have? If we take the YTD $620,000 median sales price for Hatteras Island properties and assume a 20% down standard loan, this is quite a difference on the principal+interest portion of a mortgage payment: If you bought at January 3rd rates, the principal+interest would be $2,202.42 per month. If you bought at today’s rates, the principal+interest would be $3,070.11 per month. That’s a difference of $867.69 per month! That’s how much buying power has evaporated o [...] Real Estate |  Full Article

OBAR Releases May Real Estate Statistical Report

June 17, 2022 | Real Estate | 4

The Outer Banks Association of REALTORS® (OBAR) has released their May 2022 real estate statistical report.  The report highlights year-to-date and month-to-month sale comparisons for residential, commercial, and lot/land properties included in OBAR’s Multiple Listing Service (MLS). The report shows 2022 year-to-date sales for all property in the MLS has declined slightly for the last [...] Real Estate |  Full Article

Update: Division of Marine Fisheries announces scoping period for striped mullet

September 20, 2022 | Fishing

The Division of Marine Fisheries is developing Amendment 2 to the N.C. Striped Mullet Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The division will hold a public scoping period Sept. 26 to Oct. 7 to solicit public input on potential management strategies for the upcoming amendment and discuss stakeholder priorities. Scoping is the best opportunity for the public to inform the plan. The primary management strategy for Amendment 2 is long-term sustainable harvest in the striped mullet fishery. The benchmark stock assessment indicates the resource is overfished and overfishing is occurring. A scoping document outlining assessment results and potential management strategies can be found on the division website under Information on Striped Mullet FMP Amendment 2. Beginning Sept. 26, the public may provide feedback through an online form available on the Information on Striped Mullet FMP Amendment 2 webpag [...] Fishing |  Full Article

Meet the Outer Banks SPCA Pet of the Week Max

September 21, 2022 | Community News Brief

Meet the Outer Banks SPCA pet of the week, Max, courtesy of their latest video produced by Dare County’s CURRENT TV. For more information on Max, and the many other Outer Banks pets currently up for adoption, visit the Outer Banks SPCA website at https://www.obxspca.org/, or their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/obxspca/

Dare County announces details of 2022 Angel Gift program for Hatte ...

September 19, 2022 | Community News Brief

The coalition that implements the Hatteras Island Angel Gift program is seeking sponsors, donors and applicants for the upcoming holiday season.  The program is provided in collaboration with individuals, businesses, churches and other organizations committed to providing Christmas joy for children on Hatteras Island.  The Dare County Department of Health & Human Services works with [...] Community News Brief |  Full Article

State officials announce availability of fiscal year 2022-2023 gra ...

September 19, 2022 | Community News Brief

The N.C. Division of Coastal Management (DCM) is accepting applications for grants for local government planning and management projects for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Local governments in the 20-county coastal area are invited to apply for funding for projects that are anticipated to begin Dec. 1 and to be completed by June 2023. Beach, shoreline, [...] Community News Brief |  Full Article

Sponsors & applicants needed for Dare County Thanksgiving Bas ...

September 13, 2022 | Community News Brief

The Dare County Department of Health & Human Services partners with community groups each year to provide a Thanksgiving Assistance Program. Sponsors and applicants are needed. Participation is welcome from all Dare County residents. Applicants will be approved based on need, availability of sponsorship and funds. Hatteras Island The Fessenden Center & Dare County Department [...] Community News Brief |  Full Article

Ernest (Rick) F. Kerber, Jr.

September 21, 2022 | Obituaries

August 5, 1946 – September 9, 2022 NAGS HEAD — On September 9, 2022, Ernest (Rick) F. Kerber, Jr., 76, of Nags Head, NC, passed away comfortably at his home with a full moon glowing over the Roanoke Sound. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Teresa; his loving, thoughtful, and compassionate [...] Obituaries |  Full Article

Marc George Standley

September 21, 2022 | Obituaries

November 30, 1930 – August 3, 2022 KITTY HAWK — Marc George Standley of Kitty Hawk, NC was born in Antananarivo on the island of Madagascar to French and British parents. From there, he began a successful and adventurous life: He grew up with his siblings exploring that island before moving to London to attain [...] Obituaries |  Full Article

Dina Sample Lane Etheridge

September 21, 2022 | Obituaries

March 2, 1946 – September 18, 2022 NAGS HEAD — Dina Sample Lane Etheridge, age 76, of Nags Head, North Carolina, passed away on Sunday, September 18, 2022, surrounded by her family, after a long battle with Dementia. Dina was born in Richmond, Virginia on March 2, 1946, to Roy Winfred Lane and Ina Brothers [...] Obituaries |  Full Article

Loretta Lynn Gibbs Long

September 21, 2022 | Obituaries

July 15, 1981 – September 13, 2022 KILL DEVIL HILLS — Loretta Lynn Gibbs Long, 41, of Kill Devil Hills, NC died Tuesday, September 13, 2022. Born in Elizabeth City, NC on July 15, 1981, she was the daughter of Maude Midgett Gibbs and James Ray Gibbs. In addition to her parents, Loretta is survived [...] Obituaries |  Full Article

James Alfred Speener, Jr.

September 21, 2022 | Obituaries

KILL DEVIL HILLS — James A. Speener, Jr, 61, transitioned from this life naturally at his home in Colington, NC September 15, 2022.  Jamie, as he was lovingly known, was born in Peoria County, Illinois on March 20, 1961. After proudly serving his country in the United States Army, Jamie worked hard developing various skill [...] Obituaries |  Full Article

Wesley Jarvis Payne, Sr.

September 21, 2022 | Obituaries

August 26, 1933 – September 17, 2022 WANCHESE — Wesley Jarvis Payne, Sr., 89, of Wanchese, NC passed away at home surrounded by family on Saturday, September 17, 2022. Mr. Payne was born in Wanchese and was a former employee of the North Carolina Department of Transportation. He was the son of the late Wesley [...] Obituaries |  Full Article