State of Emergency Continues

Jenny Scarborough
It all depends on the roads.
It all depends on the roads.
Photos courtesy of Mazie Smith

The first ferries left Ocracoke at 11 a.m. on Tuesday.

The normal winter schedule for both the Swan Quarter and Cedar Island routes will resume Wednesday, October 31, said ferry division Director Harold Thomas.  The Hatteras route may carry equipment to clear the road, but won't be open for non-essential runs until the north end of Highway 12 on Ocracoke is passable.

"We're all in this together.  We want to get you back to normal, and make sure you have everything you need," said Thomas.

A 400 foot section of the dune line has been overwashed, reported Ocracoke EMS head Eric Godbey.  "Waves are running up to and over Highway 12," he said.  NC DOT crews will begin clearing the road when the tide falls.

At the Tuesday morning emergency management meeting, it was decided that residents and visitors alike are free to leave the island.  Residents who are off island can return via Cedar Island at 1 p.m. or 4 p.m. today; and via Swan Quarter at 4 p.m.  The next ferry leaving Ocracoke will be to Cedar Island at 4 p.m.

Hydroplaning is dangerous.  Drive with care through standing water.
Hydroplaning is dangerous. Drive with care through standing water.

Mail, delivery trucks, and residents can travel on these routes toll free until the Hatteras ferry resumes operations.  "There is a lot of vendor traffic needing to roll through in the next few days," said Tommy Hutcherson, owner of The Variety Store.

Visitors and non-resident property owners will have to wait until at least Wednesday to come to Ocracoke.  The airstrip remains restricted as well.

Hatteras Island residents may use the emergency route between Stumpy Point and Rodanthe.

The emergency team will re-evaluate the condition of highway 12 this afternoon, and meet at 4 p.m. today to determine if visitors can make plans to come to the island for the weekend. 

"I'd like be be able to let guests know," said David Scott Esham, owner of the Pony Island Motel.  "It would be a busy weekend."  The AA Jamboree is scheduled.  If route 12 is blockaded north of Quork Hammock, "business can still go on as usual in the village," suggested Esham.

Road meets ocean.  Ocean wins.
Road meets ocean. Ocean wins.

During Irene last year, there were problems with allowing unrestricted access to Ocracoke before Highway 12 on Hatteras was clear.  People trying to get to Hatteras took a route through Ocracoke, and ended up stranded, said Sergeant Jason Daniels and NPS Rangers Ed Fuller and Shane Bryan.   It was a problem, all three agreed.

"We don't have the resources to turn people back," said Daniels. 

The decision for blocking the road and responsibility for enforcing a road block lies with the Highway Patrol.  Hyde Emergency Director Justin Gibbs will contact that agency to request their assistance.

The team awaits concrete information on the Oregon Inlet bridge and the "little bridge" over the inlet Irene opened on Pea Island last year. 

Everything hinges on those two bridges, said Hutcherson. 

Commissioner Darlene Styron reported that a visual inspection of Oregon Inlet showed only cosmetic damage to the structure, with some twisted guard rails.  Divers will have to check the bridge supports before it can re-open.

The little bridge is intact, but the road leading up to the bridge may be compromised. 

Ocracoke EMS resumed normal response at 8 a.m. today, reported Godbey.  Most areas of the island are navigable to EMS vehicles, and air operations are in place if a medical evacuation is necessary.

The Health Center is open, and the pharmacy is fairly well stocked, said Jamie Carter. 

The boat ramps and bulkheads at the NPS docks are tore up, which is not unusual, said Ocracoke District Head Ranger Ed Fuller.  The beach is open to pedestrians, but will not be open for ORVs until biotechs sweep the beach for nests that were unhatched prior to the storm, and rangers have the opportunity to replace signage. 

Centurylink is working to restore internet service to the homes and businesses which have lost their connectivity, said Gibbs.

Everything is good at the school, said Principal Laura Kelly.  "Even the shop is totally dry."  Students returned to school at 11:55 a.m. today, and they are back on schedule. 

The Pirate Festival may be delayed for another week.  "We've got to coordinate with all the pirates," said Connie Leinbach.

Ocracoke had power and water throughout Hurricane Sandy.  Though many homes had water inches from their door, this was a clean hurricane, said Esham.  No trees went down, and clearing up floating debris is all that remains to do.

 

 

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