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The Ocracoke Control Group met Tuesday morning, August 4, 2020 to receive an update on conditions affecting the island. The NCDOT Ferry Division conducted test runs of the ferry channels and reported that the ferries are able to navigate safely to the island. The USCG has authorized them to resume service. NCDOT reports that Hwy 12 did not suffer any significant damage and is passable.

Based on the recommendation from the Ocracoke Control Group, the Hyde County Board of Commissioners have terminated the evacuation order for Ocracoke residents, property owners and vendors effective immediately. After the evacuation order is lifted; residents, property owners and vendors will immediately be allowed to access Ocracoke Island pending NCDOT Ferry availability.

The evacuation order for Ocracoke Island visitors will be terminated effective Wednesday, August 5 at 6 a.m.

The sound route test runs have not been completed at this time and ferries from Swan Quarter and Cedar Island will not begin until this is done and they receive approval to begin service again, according to information from Hyde County.

“There are currently no obstructions on the major highways in Hyde County,” stated the county’s press release. “However, if you are traveling from out of the area, check http://www.drivenc.gov for road conditions between you and your destination.”

The North Carolina Ferry Service will resume operations between Hatteras and Ocracoke Tuesday afternoon. There will be a limited schedule while boats are moved back into position.

Tuesday’s schedule is:

From Hatteras: 3 p.m., 6 p.m., 9 p.m. and midnight.
From Ocracoke: 4:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

On Wednesday, Aug. 5, the temporary schedule will be:

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 route will return to its full published schedule on Thursday, Aug. 6 with the Ocracoke Express passenger ferry also returning to service that day pending channel assessment.

The Aurora-Bayview and Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach ferry routes have also resumed service. Other N.C. Ferry routes will reopen after ferry channels are checked for debris and approval is given by the Coast Guard.

READ ABOUT MORE NEWS AND EVENTS HERE.