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Dare County Orders Hatteras Evacuation as Storm Threatens

By Drooid · Oct 18, 2026, 10:57 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

NCDOT Activates Emergency Ferry

NCDOT activated the emergency ferry between Rodanthe and Stumpy Point, the route’s first use since 2013.
Crews fortified dunes and improved drainage on vulnerable NC 12 sections on Pea, Hatteras, and Ocracoke islands.
Dare County ordered the evacuation of visitors on Hatteras Island, covering Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, and Hatteras.
NCDOT warned travelers of possible extended NC 12 closures and urged businesses to arrange early deliveries.

Summary

NHC Warns Coastal Flooding

The National Hurricane Center warned the low will produce high winds and coastal flooding along the U.S. East Coast.
The agency gave the system a near-zero chance of development within 48 hours and a 30 percent chance within seven days.
AccuWeather forecasts 40-60 mph gusts from southern New Jersey to North Carolina.
Coastal flood alerts for North Carolina and Virginia expect water to rise two to four feet.

History

Historical Context

In September 1999 Hurricane Floyd hit North Carolina as a Category 2, killing 35 people and flooding the Outer Banks, prompting the NCDOT to launch an emergency Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry for about 2,000 passengers. Because a tropical cyclone strikes the state roughly every four years and the Outer Banks lie on Cape Hatteras, the agency now reactivates ferries such as the Rodanthe-Stumpy Point route to protect residents and tourism.

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NCDOT Activates Emergency Ferry

NCDOT activated the emergency ferry between Rodanthe and Stumpy Point, the route’s first use since 2013.
Crews fortified dunes and improved drainage on vulnerable NC 12 sections on Pea, Hatteras, and Ocracoke islands.
Dare County ordered the evacuation of visitors on Hatteras Island, covering Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, and Hatteras.
NCDOT warned travelers of possible extended NC 12 closures and urged businesses to arrange early deliveries.

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