Governor Josh Stein declared a state of emergency in Dare and Hyde counties on Thursday, October 22, and called on the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to grant emergency relief supporting the repair of N.C. Highway 12, his office said in a release. “Following the back-to-back strong coastal storms that have damaged NC 12, I've declared a state of emergency in Dare and Hyde counties, which will allow the state to coordinate the work to restore NC 12,” Stein said. “NC 12 is essential, so I'm asking our federal partners to support immediate repairs and work with us to accelerate longer-term solutions for this vital stretch of highway.”

Source: Office of Governor Josh Stein, North Carolina

Independent local reporting from the Outer Banks on Thursday said NC 12 remains closed between the Marc Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe with no reopening timeline, that emergency ferries began operating Thursday morning between Stumpy Point and Rodanthe, and that Dare County's mandatory evacuation order for Hatteras Island visitors remains in effect. The order covers visitors only — no evacuation has been ordered for Hatteras Island residents or for areas north of Oregon Inlet, the reporting said.

Source: Sam Walker, OBX News

Why NC 12 matters

NC 12 is the only road connecting the Outer Banks barrier islands to mainland North Carolina. When overwash closes it, Hatteras and Ocracoke island communities depend on emergency ferry runs for people, food and supplies.

The governor's office said a strong coastal storm on September 24 brought high winds, heavy rain, ocean overwash and destructive flooding to the Outer Banks. NC 12 sustained significant structural damage in Dare County between the Marc Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe, and on Ocracoke Island in Hyde County overwash destroyed protective dunes and damaged the highway between the ferry terminal and the National Park Service pony pens. The damaged sections were closed from September 24 until September 29, when they reopened to northbound traffic only, and ferry service in both counties was suspended for the same period, the release said.

Source: Office of Governor Josh Stein, North Carolina

“Our highway and ferry teams have worked tirelessly in dangerous conditions to maintain and restore access for Outer Banks communities, and I'm grateful for their dedication,” NCDOT Secretary Daniel Johnson said in the release. He said the transport department is also working with the FHWA, the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other partners on longer-term solutions to strengthen NC 12's resilience. The governor's office said the emergency declaration lets the state coordinate restoration work and supports its request to the FHWA Emergency Relief program, for which a state emergency declaration is required because NC 12 is a federal-aid highway.

Source: Office of Governor Josh Stein, North Carolina

2Counties covered by the emergency — Dare and Hyde
Sep 24Date the first of the back-to-back storms damaged NC 12
1Road in and out — NC 12 is the Outer Banks' only highway link

What is solid

  • Governor Stein's office confirms the October 22 state of emergency for Dare and Hyde counties and the request for FHWA emergency relief to repair NC 12.
  • The September 24 storm damage, the earlier September 24–29 closure and the ferry suspension are documented in the governor's release.
  • Independent Outer Banks reporting confirms the road remained closed on Thursday between the Marc Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe, with emergency ferries running and the Hatteras Island visitor evacuation still in effect.

What is only claimed

  • No reopening timeline for the closed stretch has been announced, and how quickly federal emergency relief will be granted is not yet known.