North Carolina State Senator Bobby Hanig (R-SD 1) has formally submitted a written request to Governor Josh Stein urging the declaration of a State of Emergency for portions of North Carolina’s Outer Banks, specifically N.C. Highway 12 on Hatteras to Ocracoke Islands, in response to accelerating erosion and the resulting infrastructure damage in the Buxton and northern Ocracoke Island areas
In his correspondence to the Governor, Senator Hanig noted that, over the past six weeks, the Buxton community has suffered the loss of fifteen homes and more than two hundred feet of shoreline, resulting in the washout of N.C. Highway 12 south of Oregon Inlet—the sole access route for residents, emergency personnel, and visitors. The Senator emphasized that this event meets the statutory criteria for state intervention under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 166A-19.20.
“Local emergency and county resources are fully exhausted and cannot respond effectively without state assistance,” Senator Hanig wrote. “This situation clearly meets the conditions under state law for a declaration of emergency, as it threatens life, property, and critical infrastructure across multiple communities.”
The Senator’s request further highlighted the disruption to local schools, with students missing valuable classroom instruction and extracurricular activities due to transportation barriers, as well as the economic consequences for the tourism, commercial fishing, and small-business sectors that rely heavily on Highway 12 access.
“Our coastal residents are facing a crisis that extends beyond property loss. It is impacting education, livelihoods, and essential access for public safety,” Hanig stated. “Immediate state action is required to stabilize the situation, restore connectivity, and safeguard the economic and social well-being of the region.”
Senator Hanig reiterated his appreciation for the efforts of local emergency management and county officials, while underscoring that the magnitude of the damage now exceeds local capacity and warrants state-level support.
The post Hanig seeks state support for Hatteras Island, Ocracoke after coastal damage appeared first on Island Free Press.
Add to favoritesCredit: Original content published here.
