Communications outage reported on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands; 911 service may be impacted

A communications outage was reported on Wednesday morning at approximately 11:00 a.m., affecting cell phone and internet service on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands.

According to an alert from the Dare County Sheriff’s Office, 911 service on the islands may be impacted. Residents and visitors who need emergency services or communications are advised to try texting to 911, or to go to their nearest fire department or EMS station.

The outage is not affecting the power grid, and there are currently no power outages on the islands, according to an update from Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative.

According to multiple reports, the outage is affecting some but not all cell phone and internet customers, and affected providers include Verizon, Brightspeed, AT&T, and others.

As of 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, there is not an estimated time of restoration.