Mandatory Evacuation issued for Ocracoke Island

The Ocracoke Control Group met at 9:00 a.m. today, July 31, 2020, to discuss the need for an evacuation order for Ocracoke Island in advance of Hurricane Isaias affecting the Eastern North Carolina area. The group has recommended that the Hyde County Board of Commissioners enact a mandatory evacuation of the island.

Based on the recommendation from the Ocracoke Control Group, The Hyde County Board of Commissioners has ordered a mandatory visitor evacuation of Ocracoke, effective at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2020. A mandatory resident and nonresident property owner evacuation of Ocracoke will be effective at 6:00 a.m., Saturday, August 1, 2020.

Ocracoke entry is currently restricted to residents, homeowners, vendors, and other essential personnel requested by Federal, State, or County officials until the evacuation orders begin. You will need an Ocracoke re-entry pass or adequate documentation on the vehicle to be allowed on any ferries inbound to Ocracoke. Once the evacuation orders are active, only emergency personnel will be allowed entry to the island.

Individuals should be aware that the sound-side ferry routes are already operating at a greatly reduced capacity due to shoaling in a key channel. It is highly recommended that you utilize the Ocracoke-Hatteras ferry route as the sound routes will reach capacity fast. Everyone should begin their evacuations as soon as possible.

The latest report from the National Weather Service has Hurricane Isaias’s wind measured at 80 mph. The first impacts from this system will likely be increased swell/rip current risks beginning today and continuing through early next week. There is no major difference in the track as of yet but confidence in the track is increasing. The Storm Surge Probability estimates have not yet been issued. The current earliest time of tropical-storm-force winds is currently predicted for Sunday night.

The Hyde County Emergency Operations Center has been activated and can be reached at 252-926-3715. The Hyde County Emergency Services Department will continue to monitor the forecast for Hurricane Isaias and issue advisories as appropriate. For the most current and official information please monitor the National Hurricane Center website at  https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/.

FERRY SCHEDULE DURING THE EVACUATION

Per the NCDOT, the Ocracoke-Hatteras route will run its published schedule, with an additional ferry making unscheduled runs as necessary. The final departure to Hatteras will be Sunday afternoon or evening depending on conditions.

The schedule for the Pamlico Sound ferry routes will be as follows:

Friday, July 31:

• Cedar Island to Ocracoke 4:30 p.m.
• Ocracoke to Swan Quarter 8:00 p.m.
• Swan Quarter to Ocracoke 4:30 p.m., 11:00 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 1:

• Ocracoke to Cedar Island 7:30 a.m.
• Cedar Island to Ocracoke 10:30 a.m.
• Ocracoke to Swan Quarter 1:30 p.m.
• Swan Quarter to Ocracoke 4:30 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 2:

• Ocracoke to Cedar Island 7:30 a.m.
• Cedar Island to Ocracoke 10:30 a.m.
• Ocracoke to Swan Quarter 1:30 p.m.

The Ocracoke Express passenger ferry has suspended service until further notice.

“Hurricane Isaias is approaching quickly, and has the potential to create serious flooding and storm surge on Ocracoke Island,” said Ferry Division Director Harold Thomas. “We hope everyone will heed the evacuation orders for their own safety.”

Evacuation procedures will remain in effect for all Ocracoke-bound ferries until Hyde County emergency officials lift the evacuation orders.