HATTERAS, N.C. (WAVY) — Both Hatteras and Ocracoke islands are reopening after issuing mandatory evacuations ahead of Isaias.
After facing minimal impacts from tropical storm Isaias, Dare County officials say Hatteras Island reopened with unrestricted access at 2 p.m. Tuesday.
Hyde County officials also reopened Ocracoke Island for residents, property owners and vendors effective at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. Ocracoke would reopen for visitors at 6 a.m. Wednesday.
NCDOT announced Tuesday the U.S. Coast Guard gave permission for the Hatteras Inlet ferry route to resume service Tuesday afternoon.
The route will run this limited schedule for the rest of the day Tuesday:
- From Hatteras: 3 p.m., 6 p.m., 9 p.m., midnight
- From Ocracoke: 4:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 10:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, Aug. 5, the temporary schedule will be as follows:
- From Hatteras: 5 a.m., 6 a.m., 7 a.m., 8 a.m., 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 9 p.m. and midnight
- From Ocracoke: 4:30 a.m., 6:30 a.m., 7:30 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
The ferry will resume its regular schedule Thursday, Aug. 7.
Meanwhile, more inland areas of the state were hit hard, including Bertie County, where at least two people are dead after tornadoes touched down early Tuesday morning.
Gov. Roy Cooper held a press conference to discuss the state’s storm response at 3 p.m.
Dare County Emergency Management says some sand and water may be in low-lying areas, including Highway 12 south of the Etheridge Bridge, but damage has been relatively small. No ocean overwash was reported on NC 12.
Though officials say delays should be expected and drivers should check road conditions ahead of time at www.drivenc.gov. Surf conditions are still dangerous and ocean swimming is prohibited at this time.
Hyde County officials warn those traveling to Ocracoke that there may be delayed with the ferries.
OBX parks
Outer Banks national park sites are safe to reopen by Wednesday. Those sites include Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and Wright Brothers National Memorial.
Facilities and operations that have been closed and/or suspended due to COVID-19 safety precautions will still remain closed.