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Mattamuskeet Campus. Courtesy Hyde County Schools

Mattamuskeet Campus. Courtesy Hyde County Schools

Mattamuskeet Campus. Courtesy Hyde County Schools

Mattamuskeet Campus. Courtesy Hyde County Schools

Ocracoke School. Courtesy Hyde County Schools

Ocracoke School. Courtesy Hyde County Schools

Ocracoke School. Courtesy Hyde County Schools

Ocracoke School. Courtesy Hyde County Schools

Ocracoke School. Courtesy Hyde County Schools

Ocracoke School. Courtesy Hyde County Schools

Ocracoke School. Courtesy Hyde County Schools

Ocracoke School. Courtesy Hyde County Schools

Superintendent of Hyde County Schools Stephen G. Basnight III issued the following statement late Friday after Hurricane Dorian moved through the area:

“After extremely preliminary assessments of our two campuses, Ocracoke School and community have received the most severe damages from the storm. The blessing is that we currently know of no loss of life, so we are just looking at repairing school buildings. Beyond that, the devastating flooding in the Ocracoke Island community surpasses anything in recent memory in amount and speed.

“Our Maintenance Director has completed a walkthrough of the mainland Mattamuskeet campus. It initially appears we have two significantly damaged roofs, broken windows, damage to the baseball facility, and some walkway covers destroyed.

“I have been in constant contact with the Principal at Ocracoke School throughout the storm. During the flooding, we had water in every building on campus including the gym. The surrounding grounds are littered with debris. On top of that, almost all of our staff members and students are dealing with significant flooding issues in their homes and businesses. I will be traveling to Ocracoke Island tomorrow (Saturday) with a team to do a more detailed assessment and formalize our clean-up plans.

“We ask that everyone please keep our students and staff in thoughts and prayers. Thank you to all those who have reached out to us offering your support. We are working to do what we can to get the lives of the members of our community back to normal as quickly as possible.”

As of Tuesday morning, the Mattamuskeet campus had been cleared of all debris and the broken windows were replace. The rest of the damage (roofing issues, awning missing, playground for pre-k partially damaged, fencing issues) are going to be repaired this week and next. Hyde County Schools has been in contact with the pertinent companies to provide the service, but have been advised that it may take some time. These damages would not hinder the regular class schedule for students.

Shared on the school system’s social media pages was the following message:

“Thank you so much to everyone who has reached out to our school system in different ways and have asked how to possibly help Ocracoke School in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian. At this particular time, they cannot take any physical items. However, if you would like to send a donation that will go to Ocracoke School, please send it to our central office so we can accept it on their behalf while they work on cleaning up!

“Again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the kind well wishes and messages that everyone has sent asking about Ocracoke School and the entire Ocracoke community. We appreciate every single one of you. It’s been a very trying time but we are stronger than the storm.  ️

“Please send all donations to:
Hyde County Schools
Ocracoke School Donation
PO Box 217
Swan Quarter, NC 27885”

School officials advise that it is too early to estimate repair costs.

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