The North Carolina Ferry System reported Tuesday morning that 866 vehicles and 1,810 people were evacuated from Ocracoke Island as Hyde County’s mandatory evacuation order went into effect ahead of Hurricane Erin.
Officials stressed that Ocracoke residents should take advantage of the ongoing ferry operations today, warning that rising water and high winds from the approaching storm may soon cut off access.
“We had some minor ocean overwash on the north end of Ocracoke Island at high tide this morning, and it will only get worse from tonight’s high tide through Friday as Hurricane Erin approaches,” the N.C. Ferry System said in a statement. “There is a very real probability that NC12 will be closed, quite possibly for several days. Please take this opportunity to keep you and your family safe.”
Hurricane Erin is expected to bring tropical-storm-force winds, ocean overwash, and coastal flooding to the Outer Banks beginning late Tuesday and continuing through at least Thursday. Mandatory evacuations are also in effect for Hatteras Island, while Dare County and Hyde County remain under states of emergency.
For more information on expected impacts from Hurricane Erin, click here.
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