HATTERAS ISLAND INFORMATION
Highway 12 and Emergency Ferry Service
Highway 12 on Hatteras Island, north of Rodanthe, remains closed due to impacts from ocean overwash. Based upon NCDOT’s initial assessment, it is projected that Highway 12 from Oregon Inlet to Rodanthe will open by Thanksgiving. Currently, Highway 12 is clear between all the villages of Hatteras Island.
The emergency ferry service established by NCDOT will continue service from Stumpy Point to Rodanthe that will operate with restricted entry on the following basis -
Departing Stumpy Point at 6 a.m., 8, 10, noon, 2 p.m., 4 and 10; and
Departing Rodanthe at 7 a.m., 9, 11, 1 p.m., 3, 5 and 7.
According to Dare County Emergency Management, Priorities One, Two and Three will have access to and from Hatteras Island. Visitors will not be allowed to enter Hatteras Island yet, but will be allowed to depart. Essential commodities, as determined by DCEM will have top priority.
Priority One includes – Essential personnel (utilities, government, assessment teams, medical/health care), white Disaster Re-entry Permit/Critical Personnel Pass required;
Priority Two includes – Hatteras Island residents (must have a valid NC driver’s license with Hatteras physical address), personnel of crucial businesses (Orange re-entry permit/Priority II personnel pass required); and
Priority Three includes – Non-resident property owners and employees of Hatteras
Island businesses (2012-2013 Burgundy reentry permit required, or present a tax receipt with valid identification for reentry)
There will be law enforcement in place at the emergency route to determine re-entry status. Contact Dare County Emergency Management at (252) 475-5655 for additional information on re-entry guidelines.
Important Information for Visitors –
At this time, visitors are not allowed entry to Hatteras Island. Dare County officials are working with state and local authorities to determine when conditions will allow visitors to return. Visitors are encouraged to continue to check www.darenc.com for updates and to keep in contact with their accommodations provider.
NCDOT Inspection of the Bonner Bridge –
Crews have done an on-site inspection of the top part of the bridge and examined the water depth around the support columns. NCDOT will be releasing the results of these inspections; meanwhile the Bonner Bridge remains closed to traffic until NC12 on Pea Island can be restored.
Electric and Phone Service – Hatteras Island
Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative is now on normal operations with service to all Hatteras Island Villages. CenturyLink has repaired a damaged fiber link, which has restored cell phone and internet service on Hatteras Island.
Community Meeting –
The Avon Volunteer Fire Dept. is hosting a community meeting at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, November 1. Everyone on Hatteras Island is invited to hear updates from NCDOT and representatives of Dare County, and ask questions about the Hurricane Sandy recovery effort.
Updates from Dare County Emergency Management will continue to be released as updated information is available. The Dare County Emergency Operations Center may be reached at 252-475-5655. Visit www.darenc.com for updated information.