Beachgoers on all of the Outer Banks this week are being warned to expect rough breaking waves and rip currents as Tropical Storm Cristobal passes well offshore Tuesday night into Wednesday. The rip current risk is high on Hatteras and Ocracoke beaches today, and that is expected to continue into mid-week, said Laura Patano, forecaster […]
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Rough shorebreak and rip currentsforecast as Cristobal passes offshore
Coastal Review Online
Local economies are getting bang for the bucks that fund coastal restoration projects, according to recent federal report. Coastal restoration projects completed throughout the U.S. in 2011 created more than 470 jobs and contributed $35.6 million in local economic stimulus, according to a Fish and Wildlife Service study. “Restoration Returns: The Contribution of Partners for […]
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As sand rushes into Oregon Inlet, a deadline looms
A legislative task force is hurrying to meet a May 1 deadline for a report on the potential state takeover of Oregon Inlet and adjacent land on the Outer Banks in Dare County. Meanwhile, the inlet is again showing how cantankerous and unruly it can be to whoever wants to try and corral it. The […]
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Ocracoke Real Estate: Are we ever going to catch a break?
Ocracoke Real Estate: Are we ever going to catch a break? I have often felt like the Lone Ranger, living in one of the small communities in which our livelihoods, homes, and property are totally at the mercy of the weather. When you are in the middle of it, you think that you are […]
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Ocracoke awaits long-sought fire break between village and park
Ocracoke may see a long-sought fire break for the island between the village and the National Park Service land as early as the end of March. Ed Fuller, Cape Hatteras National Seashore district ranger for Ocracoke, confirmed last week that Deputy Superintendent, Daryl Echols, assured him that the Park Service will hire a “marsh-master” cutter […]
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Ocracokers can’t get a break
Ocracokers are a tough bunch of people, used to dealing with problems getting on and off their island, which is accessible only by boat or plane. However, their latest round of ferry woes has got to be trying their patience and challenging their resilience and ingenuity. Highway 12 finally reopened just before Christmas, making travel […]
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Taking measure of a storm’s potent punch – the storm surge By BRAD RICH Coastal Review Online
As Hurricane Irene moved up the East Coast just about a year ago, Joseph DiRenzo, the chief of operations analysis for the Coast Guard Atlantic Area, placed a phone call from his office in Portsmouth, Va., to Rick Luettich, director of the University of North Carolina’s Institute of Marine Sciences in Morehead City. DiRenzo was worried about […]
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Living shorelines require careful planning By BRAD RICH Coastal Review Online Last of two parts
Living shorelines offer many benefits over the wooden and rock walls that are customarily used to control erosion along estuarine shores. But researchers say they have to be carefully planned and sited to make sure that “living shoreline” projects aren’t little more a bunch of rocks with a little grass thrown in. Rachel Gittman knows […]
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Seas rising faster along northern Outer Banks By Frank Tursi Coastal Review Online
With state legislators still wading through the issue of rising seas, a new federal report released yesterday seems to further muddy the water. Contrary to what we heard from some legislators the last few weeks, not only does the sea seem to be rising along the state’s northern coast, but it’s doing so at a […]
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Commentary: Water quality solutions for Silver Lake Harbor
A year and a half ago, in the fall of 2010, a handful of Ocracoke volunteers joined a professional staff from North Carolina State University (NCSU) to study the water quality of Silver Lake Harbor. The Ocracokers were concerned about a number of potential sources of pollution that may exist in the harbor. There are […]
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Commentary: NPS refusal to drain stormwater is a point of contention for islanders and visitors
Sometimes it seems as though if I sit back and wait long enough, the National Park Service will yet again create a situation, or allow a situation to occur, that boggles the mind. In fact, when it comes to how this region is managed by both NPS and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, at least […]
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Dramatic rescue of Hatteras waterman follows annual blessing of the fleet …WITH SLIDE SHOW
By IRENE NOLAN By IRENE NOLAN This past weekend was one of blessings for Hatteras Island watermen. On Friday evening, Sept. 30, Hatteras islanders came together for the annual blessing of the fleet. Prayers were offered for the watermen who have lost their lives on the seas and for the watermen who continue to go […]
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Tropical storm and coastal low could threaten temporary power lines
Tropical storm and coastal low could threaten temporary power lines Officials at the Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative are keeping their fingers crossed late this week and into the weekend as swells from Tropical Storm Maria and a coastal trough that will form behind a cold front bring heavy seas to an already damaged area on […]
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Latest watches, warnings, and local Hurricane Irene statements at http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/mhx/ MORE DARE COUNTY INFORMATION The Dare County Control Group has activated the Joint Information Section (JIS) in response to Hurricane Irene. All information regarding local government agencies in Dare County will be released through this source effective today, Wednesday, Aug. 24. The JIS is a collaborative organization that encompasses the six municipal governments in Dare County, the National Park Service, the Dare County Sheriff’s Office, and the County of Dare, all of which have representatives on the Dare County Control Group. The JIS is operated in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Manteo and managed by Dare County Emergency Management. Outlets for information include the following: The Dare County website at www.darenc.com Government Access Channel 20, Charter Cable Channel 20 Releases e-mailed and faxed to local, regional, and national press outlets Emergency Management Public Phone Inquiry Line at 252-475-5655 Other Important Numbers:
By ANNE C. BOWERS By ANNE C. BOWERS Islanders were admittedly a little nervous about Hurricane Irene all week. Once this storm made a right turn at Florida, Hatteras became the target for landfall. Forecasts read like an obituary for this little island with phrases like “It’s the big one,” “Significant ocean and soundside flooding,” […]
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Stand-up paddleboarding is an increasingly popular watersport on the islands ….WITH SLIDE SHOW
Stand-up paddleboards have become increasingly popular on the shores of Cape Hatteras over the last several years. They are versatile, easy to learn, and good in a variety of wind and water conditions. As with many other watersports, Cape Hatteras is a perfect place for this growing sport because paddleboarding is fun on the flat […]
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Avon water rescues call attention to rip current threat to ocean swimmers
Avon water rescues call attention to rip current threat to ocean swimmers By IRENE NOLAN By IRENE NOLAN By IRENE NOLAN The Hatteras Island Rescue Squad responded to four calls from the beach at Ocean View Drive in Avon on Wednesday, June 1, and assisted 12 swimmers in distress. The troublesome area yesterday and today, […]
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SEA LIFE Use caution to avoid jellyfish and stingrays. If stung by a jellyfish, do not touch irritated skin or wash with fresh water. Rather, rinse the affected area with salt water and apply vinegar. Shuffle your feet lightly while wading to avoid stepping on stingrays. LIGHTNING and THUNDER If you can see lightning or hear thunder, you are within striking distance. Seek safe shelter immediately!
Park Services lifeguarded beaches open May 28 through Labor Day Cape Hatteras National Seashore’s lifeguarded beaches will open on Saturday, May 28, for the 2011 season. Lifeguard services will be available at Coquina Beach (Nags Head), Buxton Beach (Buxton), and Ocracoke Beach Day Use Area from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. six days a week […]
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Outer Banks rip current forecasts resume for 2024
From SamWalkerOBXNews.com While water temperatures are still too chilly for most people, the National Weather Service is resuming its seasonal rip current and beach conditions forecast this month for part of the Outer Banks. Rip currents are channeled currents of water flowing away from shore, and typically extend from near the shoreline, through the surf […]
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March 18 marks the 500-year Anniversary of Verrazzano’s landfall on the Carolina Coast
Five centuries ago, on March 7, 1524, (or March 18 on our modern Gregorian calendar), La Dauphine, a 100-ton, three-masted caravel from Dieppe, France, cautiously crept westward toward the North American continent, constantly probing the turquoise depths by soundings. A week earlier, the trans-Atlantic expedition of a single vessel sponsored by the French king, Francis I, encountered […]
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Dare County Board of Commissioners take a united front on the issue of Buxton Beach
At the March 4 meeting of the Dare County Board of Commissioners (BOC), Hatteras Island Commissioner Danny Couch presented a resolution for the seven-member BOC to create a united and vocal front for the remediation efforts required to fix the environmental issues at Buxton Beach. Couch’s resolution was presented during the BOC’s individual commissioner’s business […]
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UPDATE: Boating accident off Oregon Inlet early Monday turns fatal
From SamWalkerOBXNews.com It is a sad day for the Outer Banks fishing fleet, following an incident involving a vessel trying to navigate Oregon Inlet in the dark on early Monday morning. The operator of that vessel was Capt. Charlie Griffin, according to the Facebook page for his boat “Reels Of Fortune.” Known as “Griff,” […]
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Island History: A spotlight on stories from the Outer Banks’ Life-Saving Service
The Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station (CLSS) is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, as one of the seven original Life-Saving Stations to be built in North Carolina in 1874. As such, the Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station and Historic Site in Rodanthe will be sharing stories about the seven 1874 Outer Banks stations in the months ahead, leading […]
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High Surf Advisory, Coastal Flood Advisory in effect until Friday night
A High Surf Advisory and Coastal Flood Advisory are in effect for Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands through 10 p.m. on Friday night, per an update from the National Weather Service. For the High Surf Advisory, large breaking waves of 5 to 8 feet are expected in the surf zone, and ocean overwash is possible in […]
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High Surf Advisory issued for the Outer Banks; Localized ocean overwash possible
A High Surf Advisory has been issued for the Outer Banks from Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. until Friday at 8:00 a.m. Large breaking waves of 6 to 10 feet are expected in the surf zone, which could result in localized beach erosion and ocean overwash. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) reported that minor […]
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Island History: A spotlight on stories from the Outer Banks’ Life-Saving Service
The Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station (CLSS) is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, as one of the seven original Life-Saving Stations to be built in North Carolina in 1874. As such, the Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station and Historic Site in Rodanthe will be sharing stories about the seven 1874 Outer Banks stations in the months ahead, leading […]
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Island History: The attempted rescues of the famous Outer Banks Ghost Ship, the Carroll A. Deering
One of maritime history’s most enduring mysteries involves the iconic names of Cape Hatteras, Diamond Shoals, Graveyard of the Atlantic, and the term “Ghost.” There has been much discussion about the possible explanations; there has been little about the actual Coast Guard rescue attempts. Much has been written and told about the famed ghost ship […]
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Island History: A spotlight on stories from the Outer Banks’ Life-Saving Service
The Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station (CLSS) is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, as one of the seven original Life-Saving Stations to be built in North Carolina in 1874. As such, the Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station and Historic Site in Rodanthe will be sharing stories about the seven 1874 Outer Banks stations in the months ahead, leading […]
Island Features | Full Article
Island History: A spotlight on stories from the Outer Banks’ Life-Saving Service
The Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station (CLSS) is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, as one of the seven original Life-Saving Stations to be built in North Carolina in 1874. As such, the Chicamacomico Life-Saving Station and Historic Site in Rodanthe will be sharing stories about the seven 1874 Outer Banks stations in the months ahead, leading […]
Island Features | Full Article
Dolan, Godfrey: Scientists proved Outer Banks are moving
by Gilbert M. Gaul – Coastal Review This historical profile is presented as part of Coastal Review’s 2024 yearlong examination of 50 years of the North Carolina Coastal Area Management Act, including the science that helped to inform and the advocacy and leadership that resulted in passage of the landmark 1974 legislation, as well as the coastal environmental challenges yet ahead. Robert Dolan […]
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Tickets are now on sale for annual Hatteras Island Oyster Roast on February 3, 2024
The North Carolina Coastal Federation (NCCF) is once again hosting its annual Hatteras Island Oyster Roast on Saturday, February 3, which is a popular winter fundraising event that celebrates local seafood along the waterfront of Hatteras Village. Tickets are now on sale for the Hatteras Island Oyster Roast and can be purchased via the NCCF […]
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Tickets selling fast for 2024 State of Dare County presentation on Jan. 23
From wobx.com The Dare County Board of Commissioners will deliver the annual State of the County presentation on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant in Kill Devil Hills. The doors will open for seating beginning at 8 a.m., with a full breakfast to be served starting at 8:15 a.m. The Dare County […]
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EDITOR’S BLOG: Year in Review – The stories that grabbed our attention in 2023
Since The Island Free Press (IFP) was launched 16 years ago, it has become an annual tradition to look back on the stories that grabbed our islands’ attention and left a permanent mark. Started by our co-founder and original editor, Irene Nolan, it’s a tradition that we’ve been proud to carry on since she passed away […]
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2023 in photos on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands
2023 was a unique year that will likely be remembered for a long list of milestone events and unusual stories. From the spring Rodanthe home collapse to the fall arrival of pink flamingos, (with plenty of big events and projects in between), here is a roundup of the photos that captured our attention in a […]
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Ocean overwash causes N.C. Highway 12 closures between Frisco and Hatteras, and on northern Ocracoke Island
Severe ocean overwash has closed several sections of N.C. Highway 12 as of 2:00 a.m. on Monday, per an update from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). N.C. Highway 12 in the Sandy Bay area north of Hatteras Village is closed due to multiple dune breaches. The closure begins at Sandpiper Lane and Elizabeth Drive […]
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Dare County Board of Commissioners to deliver the annual State of the County Jan. 23
The doors will open at Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant for seating beginning at 8 a.m., with a full breakfast to be served starting at 8:15 a.m. The Dare County Commissioners’ presentation—whose 2024 theme is “Teamwork”—will begin at 9 a.m. During the presentation, each of the seven Dare County Commissioners will touch on an array of […]
Community News Brief | Full Article
Buxton Navy base’s reminders not just petroleum in soils
From CoastalReview.org Petroleum spilled and partially cleaned up at a long-abandoned U.S. Navy base at Cape Hatteras recently reemerged in clumps of peat soil after a storm. Last month, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers stepped up to take responsibility for the cleanup, even though its source is technically uncertain. But the diesel smell and […]
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Island Living: The Odyssey of a “Swiftie” – and how I became one
We love Hatteras Island for so many reasons: the water, the beach, outdoor activities, the food etc. You can also find excellent food, beautiful art and great local music. What you can’t find here might be big box stores, lots of fast food, and major concert tours. With school returning, summer ending, and a return […]
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Coastal flooding possible again this weekend; High risk of rip currents expected
Minor to moderate coastal flooding is possible again this weekend and early next week, per a Friday morning update from the National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City office. Strengthening and persistent northeasterly onshore flow will develop this weekend, and will linger into next week. This will occur in tandem with the peak of the current king […]
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Coastal Flood Advisory, High Surf Advisory issued for Wednesday
A Coastal Flood Advisory and High Surf Advisory have been issued for the Outer Banks area until 9 p.m. on Wednesday, September 27, per an update from the National Weather Service. Large breaking waves of 5 to 8 feet are expected in the surf zone, and up to 1 to 2 feet of inundation above […]
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Budget strips certain powers from local governments
by Trista Talton and Jennifer Allen Assembly approved a long-awaited state budget that includes provisions that strip counties and municipalities of certain governing powers. The Republican-controlled legislature last Friday passed a $30 billion budget, one that boosts Medicaid, bans local governments from regulating the use of plastics, grants millions in funding for living shorelines projects, and […]
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September 18 marks 20 years since Hurricane Isabel made landfall
One of the most destructive Outer Banks storms in living memory made landfall 20 years ago on September 18, 2003, destroying homes and businesses in Hatteras village and creating a temporary inlet that separated Hatteras from the rest of the world for more than two months. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), Hurricane Isabel […]
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Conditions begin to ease, but ocean overwash concerns will continue into Saturday
Though N.C. Highway 12 was not heavily impacted by Friday’s 8:30 a.m. high tide, and conditions are beginning to ease as Hurricane Lee continues its offshore northern trek, ocean overwash and coastal flooding will remain a possibility through Saturday, per an update from the National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City office. Hurricane Lee brought ocean overwash to […]
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N.C. Highway 12 remains open on Friday morning; Ocean overwash possible through Saturday
A Coastal Flood Warning remains in effect for the Outer Banks, with large, dangerous surf and possible oceanside flooding due to distant Hurricane Lee, per an update from the National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City office. Significant ocean overwash continues to be a threat for Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands, which will likely impact portions of N.C. […]
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High risk of rip currents continues on Thursday; Coastal Flood Warning in effect for the Outer Banks
A high risk of rip currents continues along the Outer Banks on Thursday, while a Coastal Flood Warning goes into effect starting at 4:00 p.m., with ocean overwash and impacts to N.C. Highway 12 possible due to distant Hurricane Lee. While Hurricane Lee is expected to remain well offshore, the Outer Banks may experience a […]
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Coastal Flood Warning issued for the Outer Banks; Impacts to N.C. Highway 12 possible
A Coastal Flood Warning has been issued for the Outer Banks starting at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, September 14, with ocean overwash and impacts to N.C. Highway 12 possible due to distant Hurricane Lee. While Hurricane Lee is expected to remain well offshore, the Outer Banks may experience a range of coastal hazards from […]
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Coastal Flood Watch in effect from Thursday afternoon through Saturday morning
In addition to a High Surf Advisory for large breaking waves of 7-12 feet in the surf zone, and a Beach Hazards Statement for dangerous rip currents, the Outer Banks is now under a Coastal Flood Watch beginning on Thursday, September 14, due to distant Hurricane Lee. 2 to 3 feet of inundation above ground […]
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High risk of rip currents continues on Wednesday for all Outer Banks beaches
A high risk of rip currents continues for Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands on Wednesday, September 13, as distant Hurricane Lee impacts the Outer Banks shoreline. A high risk of rip currents means that the surf zone is dangerous for all levels of swimmers, and beachgoers should stay out of the water. The public should check […]
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Dare County Emergency Management warns of hazardous ocean conditions and potential ocean overwash due to Hurricane Lee
Hurricane Lee—currently a Category 3 storm that is forecast to move through the western Atlantic Ocean this week—will create hazardous conditions along all Dare County beaches over the next several days and through the weekend as it passes offshore, according to the National Weather Service’s Newport/Morehead City, N.C. office. Impacts to Dare County will include life-threatening […]
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High risk of rip currents forecast for Tuesday throughout the Outer Banks
A high risk of rip currents is forecast for Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands on Tuesday, September 12, as distant Hurricane Lee continues to impact the Outer Banks shoreline. A high risk of rip currents means that the surf zone is dangerous for all levels of swimmers, and beachgoers should stay out of the water. The […]
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High risk of rip currents forecast for Monday on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands
A high risk of rip currents is forecast for Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands on Monday, September 11, as distant Hurricane Lee begins to impact the Outer Banks shoreline. A high risk of rip currents means that the surf zone is dangerous for all levels of swimmers, and beachgoers should stay out of the water. The […]
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