Ocracoke Access Alliance

10/26/2026

Good afternoon. NC12 remains CLOSED from the Basnight Bridge to Rodanthe today. Work continues to reestablish a protective dune line, remove damaged pavement and grade the roadbed at the Pea Island Visitor Center, but high tide overwash continues to be an issue there. Meanwhile, all of NC12 north of Oregon Inlet and South of Rodanthe is open and passable, with sand and standing water in some locations.

Here is what we are currently planning for the area at the Pea Island Visitor Center. Of course, all of this is subject to weather and tidal conditions:

1) Re-establish a one-lane paved detour through the area, monitored by flaggers.
2) Reinforce the dune line with sandbags. Our vendor is currently in the process of making those sandbags.
3) Once the sandbags are in place, we will restore a two-lane roadway.

Again, please do not attempt to access the construction zone at the Visitor Center via the road or the beach. Not only is it dangerous for you, but it slows down our progress. Let our crews do their work.

Meanwhile, the Emergency Ferry Route between Stumpy Point and Rodanthe continues running a 24/7 operation. Please be patient as our ferries have limited vehicle capacity. Dare County has set up a park-and-ride service at both ends of the route to allow people to access the ferries as pedestrians. For more information see Dare County's news release here: https://www.darenc.gov/Home/Components/News/News/9692/17

As of the end of the day yesterday, ferries had carried 1,451 vehicles and 2,416 passengers on and off Hatteras Island

Also, for those coming to the Stumpy Point Terminal, the address is 100 Log Storage Road, which is south of the main entrance to the Stumpy Point village, not in the village itself.

Finally, Dare County's Emergency Evacuation Order for visitors remains in place. Visitors to Hatteras Island are not permitted. Entry to Hatteras Island remains limited to individuals who qualify under Dare County’s priority reentry categories. Travelers must present the required documentation.

10/26/2026

10/25/2026

The Hyde Country Sheriffs Office just posted this:

“Ferry update:

The Hatteras ferry route is currently running a limited schedule. Due to Dare County being under a state of emergency the only people allowed on this ferry are: Hatteras residents, Ocracoke residents, and vender/delivery trucks. All others will be turned away and not allowed to board. Ocracoke residents be advised that our understanding is the emergency ferry route to and from stumpy point is only allowing you on if you have a valid re entry permit for Ocracoke. **If you know you have to leave Ocracoke please try make reservations for the Swanquarter or Cedar island ferries as soon as you possibly can.”

10/25/2026

Thank you to Governor Stein for speaking out on behalf of the Outer Banks and Highway 12.

10/24/2026

It will be a while before normal access to Ocracoke Island will resume. Coastal flooding and high tides are expected to affect the Outer Banks through next week, while damage to N.C. 12 at Pea Island continues to disrupt access to Hatteras Island that impacts travel to Ocracoke. Ocracoke Island is u...

10/23/2026

Slow and steady. Making progress.

10/22/2026

10/22/2026

There is currently no timeline for reopening of NC12

Hatteras Island: N.C. Highway 12 is closed between the Marc Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe. A mandatory evacuation for visitors remains in effect, and visitor entry is prohibited. Emergency ferry service begins Thursday, October 22, with limited capacity. For ferry schedules, access requirements and s...

10/22/2026

Update on Highway 12 and running the emergency ferry. We are thankful to both NCDoT and the NC Ferry Division for working together to keep both Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island connected. As soon as the road gets open we will post.