NC12 at Pea Island on October 1 at 3:30 p.m. (DriveNV.gov)
NC12 at Canal Zone on Oct. 1 at 2:42 p.m. (DriveNC.gov)
NC12 at Hatteras Ferry Dock on Oct. 1 at 3:30 p.m. (DriveNC.gov)
Dare County’s State of Emergency for Hatteras Island remains in effect
This is the most recent update from Dare County, released on Thursday, Oct. 1, regarding the situation on Hatteras Island. Here are the key messages.
The temporary roadway at Pea Island opened to all traffic in both directions at 7 a.m. today, and all traffic may now access the island.
Currently the temporary one-lane roadway alternates one lane at a time. Traffic is controlled by an automated signal system. Motorists should expect long wait times and significant delays when traveling through the roadway.
Travelers should be prepared for sand and water on the roadway. NCDOT crews will continue making repairs and re-establishing a protective dune line. Drivers should follow all posted signage.
NCDOT ended service on its emergency ferry route between Rodanthe and Stumpy Point on Wednesday afternoon (September 30, 2026). Full service on the Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry route resumed on Thursday morning (October 1, 2026).
While Hatteras Island is now open to visitors, Dare County’s State of Emergency for Hatteras Island remains in effect.
Until NCDOT reestablishes the protective dune and two lanes of travel through Pea Island, residents, visitors and businesses should be prepared for road closures.
Those preparations should include ensuring ample supplies are on hand—including food and medicine—as well as being ready to leave should the weather forecast predict high wind and surf conditions that could lead to ocean overwash on NC12.
The only reason they did not evacuate Hatteras Island is because it was not a named storm.Meanwhile many of us who have lived here decades realize that Northeasters are often more damaging than hurricanes.The county dropped the ball especially given the proximity of the ocean to that part of highway 12.
Sean Mulligan
The only reason they did not evacuate Hatteras Island is because it was not a named storm.Meanwhile many of us who have lived here decades realize that Northeasters are often more damaging than hurricanes.The county dropped the ball especially given the proximity of the ocean to that part of highway 12.
Craig
Being trapped on Hatteras Island sounds pretty sweet to me.