SWAN QUARTER — Hyde County Board of Commissioners have terminated the evacuation order for Ocracoke Island visitors effective at 9 a.m., Saturday, August 23, 2025. The evacuation order for essential personnel, residents, and property owners was lifted at 12 p.m., Friday, August 22, 2025.
Please be advised that Highway 12 from Oregon Inlet to the Hatteras Ferry and Highway 12 on the North End of Ocracoke Island is still closed, and there is no access to the north from Ocracoke Village. While NCDOT is working to clear that section of highway and resume access to NC Hwy 12 and the Ocracoke to Hatteras Ferry service, there is no current access, and travelers should have confirmed lodging accommodations on Ocracoke Island, as they will not be able to travel north for those purposes.
Please be advised that while access to the north is still unavailable, access for emergency medical services to transport patients off the island will also be impeded. This route remains the most timely access for emergency medical services to transport patients off the island, other than medivac, and is not available at this time.
The NCDOT Ferry Division will resume its normal summer schedule on the sound class routes on Saturday, August 23, 2025. However, the first ferry run on Saturday will still be restricted for visitors and will be based on the following priority: essential personnel, residents, and property owners. Starting at 8:00 a.m., the NCDOT Ferry Reservation System will be back online and available for bookings.
For real-time travel information, please check NCDOT’s DriveNC.gov and the agency’s social media accounts. People can also receive text or email notifications on ferry schedules and changes through the Ferry Information Notification System, or FINS.
