The road at Rodanthe

In case you haven't already heard, the road just north of Rodanthe on Hatteras Island (the area called the s-curves) was badly damaged by the storm I'm hearing being called "Nor'Ida" by some.

There are pictures available at the Island Free Press website.

Here on Ocracoke, the sun is finally shining and the roads are drying out well (even the deepest spots on Sunset and Back are starting to have pavement showing through now, finally). We were once again very fortunate and blessed to not have any major damage and no injuries or loss of property that I heard of here on Ocracoke. Our neighbors to the north unfortunately did not fare as well. Multiple houses were lost to the sea, although unbelievably enough Serendipity (of "Nights in Rodanthe" movie fame) is still standing!

Here's the latest informational announcement from Dare County:

For Immediate Release:
Sunday, November 15, 2009
9:30am Contact: Dorothy Toolan
252-473-8328

Four Wheel Drive Route Established for Hatteras Island

All of Hatteras Island continues to be under a declared State of Emergency. NC Highway 12 remains closed to regular traffic north of Rodanthe.

North Carolina DOT will open a special one lane travel route for four wheel drive vehicles in the Mirlo Beach area of Rodanthe at 11:00am today. Use of this route is for essential travel only and will be available for daily use until regular service is restored.

Passage through this area is subject to the following restrictions –

Only four wheel drive vehicles will be allowed to transit the area.

Travel will be one lane only. Be prepared to wait until on-coming traffic is cleared.

Travel may be restricted at anytime due to weather conditions, construction or emergency vehicles.

Travel will only be permitted during daylight hours, beginning one hour after sunrise and ending one hour before sunset.

The area ½ mile north and south to the entrance of the temporary travel route has been declared a work zone. No parking will be permitted along the shoulders of the road in the area.

Residents and visitors should consider using the alternate route to Hatteras Island by ferry from Swan Quarter through Ocracoke. For more information call the Ferry Division at 1-800-293-3779 and then press 1. Or visit their website at
www.ncferry.org