Access Updates

Hatteras Island Access Update: 

Good news for Hatteras Island! NC-12 at Pea Island is now open to all traffic.

Visitor access resumed at 7 a.m. Thursday, October 1.

As you make your travel plans, please keep in mind that the temporary roadway near the Pea Island Visitor Center is a one-lane gravel detour, with traffic alternating in each direction. Expect some delays, allow a little extra travel time, and please drive carefully through the area.

We look forward to welcoming you back to Hatteras Island!

Photo courtesy of NCDOT NC 12 Facebook Page

History of the Situation:

Resulting from the 9/23/26 Nor'Easter, access to Hatteras Island was disrupted by damage to NC-12. Below are links to authoritative resources for you to monitor about the status of NC-12, the North Carolina Ferry System and accessibility on and off of Hatteras Island.

Resource Links:
NCDOT NC 12 Facebook Page

North Carolina Ferry System Facebook Page

Hatteras Island Community Response Team Facebook Page

Dare County Government Facebook Page

Dare County News Room

Travel Insurance Support

If you purchased Travel Insurance and you have questions about your coverage. Please contact your Travel Insurance provider. They are the only ones who can answer questions about your eligibility to file a claim for any missed days or other covered expenses.

If you booked your reservation on Vrbo, Booking.com or Airbnb:

Please contact the third-party booking platform directly for information regarding your travel insurance coverage and the claims process.

If you booked your reservation before November 1, 2025 your coverage is with Play Travel Protection.

📞 Claims Hotline: 1-833-610-0736
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 PlayTravelProtection.com

If you booked your reservation after November 1, 2025 your coverage is with Red Sky Travel Insurance.

📞 Call:  1-866-889-7409
📧 Email: [email protected]
🕒 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5:00 PM ET (except holidays)
🌐 RedSkyInsurance.com policy information
🚨 File a claim with Red Sky

Earlier Updates from Dare County 

We have provided here the alerts released by Dare County regarding this storm. They are in descending chronological order. The current update from the county is at the top of this page.

Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at 4:30 p.m.:

N.C. Highway 12 Opens to Traffic in Both Directions at Pea Island on Wednesday Morning with Restricted Entry

As previously announced, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) opened the temporary roadway at Pea Island to northbound traffic at 3 p.m. today (Tuesday, September 29, 2026).

With the initial congestion expected to clear tonight, the temporary roadway will open to travel in both directions beginning at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, alternating one direction at a time through the one-lane gravel detour controlled by an automatic flagger system.

When the temporary roadway opens on Wednesday morning, entry to Hatteras Island will be limited to Priority One, Priority Two and Priority Three individuals. Ocracoke Island residents with proper identification are also allowed entry.

Visitors are not permitted to enter Hatteras Island at this time.

Dare County Sheriff’s Office deputies will be stationed at a checkpoint at the north end of the Marc Basnight Bridge to verify credentials for those traveling south onto Hatteras Island.

To learn more about Dare County’s staged entry process or apply for a 2026 entry permit, visit DareNC.gov/Reentry.

Visitors Allowed Access to Hatteras Island at 7 a.m. Thursday

All remaining Hatteras Island N.C. Highway 12 entry restrictions will be lifted at 7 a.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2026. At that time, visitors and the general public will be permitted to travel to Hatteras Island.

The phased reopening provides non-resident property owners, property managers and businesses additional time to access properties and prepare for the return of visitors following several days of disrupted access to Hatteras Island.

Visitors should not travel toward Hatteras Island before the remaining entry restrictions are lifted. Those with upcoming reservations are encouraged to contact their accommodations provider to confirm their reservation and property status before traveling.

Emergency Ferry Service

The emergency ferry route between Rodanthe and Stumpy Point will remain in operation on its current schedule until officials determine the emergency route is no longer required.

Sunday, September 27, 2026 at 10:51 A.m.:

NCDOT Announces Emergency Ferry Schedule; Entry to Hatteras Island Restricted

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has activated emergency ferry service between Stumpy Point on the Dare County mainland and Rodanthe on Hatteras Island while N.C. Highway 12 remains closed at Pea Island. The ferry accommodates both vehicles and walk-on passengers.

There are no restrictions on leaving Hatteras Island; however, entry to Hatteras Island is restricted to Priority One and Priority Two individuals under Dare County’s State of Emergency. Non-resident visitors and non-resident property owners are not permitted to enter Hatteras Island at this time.

A one-way ferry trip takes approximately two hours. Ferry space is limited, and travelers should expect long lines and significant delays.

Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 7:30 p.m.:

State of Emergency Declared for Hatteras Island:


Effective today, Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 7 p.m., Hatteras Island is under a State of Emergency due the loss of N.C. Highway 12 roadway access and the need to manage the movement of people, emergency personnel and essential supplies to and from the island.

The declaration allows Dare County to implement access and entry restrictions and to take other measures necessary to protect public health and safety while N.C. Highway 12 remains closed on Hatteras Island between the Marc Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe.

Under the State of Emergency, entry to Hatteras Island is restricted to Priority One and Priority Two individuals. Visitors and non-resident property owners are not permitted to enter Hatteras Island at this time. The declaration also authorizes residents of Ocracoke Island in Hyde County to travel through Hatteras Island to return to Ocracoke when ferry service resumes.

To enter Hatteras Island during the State of Emergency, travelers must have proper credentials. To apply for a 2026 entry permit or learn more about Dare County’s staged entry process, visit DareNC.gov/Reentry.

Emergency Ferry Service:

Dare County officials met with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and other partners this afternoon, (Saturday, September 26, 2026), to discuss the significant damage to N.C. Highway 12 at Pea Island and the loss of road access to and from Hatteras Island.

NCDOT has announced that emergency ferry service between Stumpy Point on the Dare County mainland and Rodanthe on Hatteras Island will soon be established. NCDOT is currently making the necessary preparations and plans to provide the start time and departure schedule on Sunday, September 27, 2026. Travelers should not go to the Stumpy Point or Rodanthe emergency ferry terminals until NCDOT announces when ferry service will begin.

N.C. Highway 12 Repairs:

NCDOT continues to assess the damage to N.C. Highway 12 at Pea Island and, if conditions allow, plans to begin work tomorrow (Sunday, September 27, 2026), to construct a temporary roadway.

There is currently no timeline for when road access will be restored. Until then, there remains no road access to or from Hatteras Island.

Friday, September 25, 2026 at 3 p.m.:

N.C. Highway 12 Remains Closed at Pea Island; No Road Access to or From Hatteras Island

Dare County continues to coordinate with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) regarding the closure of N.C. Highway 12 and access to Hatteras Island due to impacts from the ongoing coastal storm.

Access to Hatteras Island

There is currently no road access to or from Hatteras Island due to pavement damage along N.C. Highway 12 near the Pea Island Visitor Center.

Travel between the villages on Hatteras Island remains open, and essential services—including power, water and communications—remain operational.

Those with upcoming reservations on Hatteras Island are encouraged to contact their accommodations provider before traveling to the area and should not travel toward Hatteras Island without first confirming that access has been restored. Visitors who are currently on Hatteras Island and need to extend their stay due to the road closure should contact their accommodations provider as soon as possible to discuss available options.

Highway Repairs

According to NCDOT, crews will continue to assess the damage as conditions allow to determine what repairs will be necessary. NCDOT has advised Dare County that crews are prepared to begin road repairs once the full extent of the damage is known and conditions allow work to proceed. At this time, it is too early to know the scope of the repairs or when N.C. Highway 12 may reopen.

Motorists should not attempt to travel through closed or damaged portions of N.C. Highway 12 and should obey all barricades and traffic-control measures.

Ferry Service

NCDOT has advised it is consulting with partners and stakeholders to determine whether emergency ferry service will be activated, and the agency is completing the tasks now to efficiently establish service when that decision is made. If activated, it will likely take several days to mobilize and begin operations. Ferry operations are also dependent on weather and sea conditions being safe for vessels to operate.

As NCDOT restores regular ferry service between Ocracoke Island and Cedar Island and Swan Quarter, these routes may provide an option for those traveling to or from Hatteras Island once Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry service resumes and N.C. Highway 12 reopens on Ocracoke Island. Travelers should check with the N.C. Ferry Division for the latest information regarding ferry schedules and availability.

Coastal and Ocean Conditions

According to the National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City office, the greatest coastal impacts occurred this morning (Friday, September 25, 2026), and conditions will slowly improve as we move into the weekend.

While conditions will be improving, additional beach erosion and ocean overwash should be expected, particularly during upcoming high-tide cycles. Hazardous ocean conditions will persist, keeping ocean swimming life-threatening.

Dare County will continue to coordinate with NCDOT and share confirmed information as it becomes available regarding N.C. Highway 12 access and ferry operations.

For current road conditions and closures, visit DriveNC.gov. Updates specific to N.C. Highway 12 on Hatteras Island are also available from NCDOT NC 12 on Facebook.

Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at 10:30 a.m.

Press Release from Dare County (link to press release)

Dare County Emergency Management Issues Coastal Storm Update; Significant Ocean Overwash Likely on Hatteras Island

Dare County Emergency Management continues to closely monitor the strong coastal storm that will affect the Outer Banks this week. The National Weather Service at Newport/Morehead City has issued additional watches, warnings and advisories as weather conditions are expected to deteriorate today, with the most significant impacts expected Thursday into Friday.

Hatteras Island will likely experience the greatest effects, where hazardous ocean conditions are forecast to build throughout the day today, (September 23, 2026). The National Weather Service has issued a Coastal Flood Warning for Hatteras Island, as well as a Coastal Flood Advisory for the northern beaches, a Wind Advisory and a High Surf Advisory.

These expected impacts include:

2 to 4 feet flooding inundation at vulnerable locations on Hatteras Island

1 to 3 feet flooding inundation for the northern beaches of Dare County

Moderate to strong N to NE winds with gusts of 40 to 50 mph

Ocean overwash along N.C. Highway 12 on Hatteras Island

Large waves bringing very dangerous surf conditions, life-threatening rip currents and beach erosion

Residents and visitors on Hatteras Island should be prepared for hazardous travel conditions and the possibility of temporary closures of N.C. Highway 12.

Everyone is encouraged to minimize unnecessary travel as conditions deteriorate. If you encounter a flooded roadway, turn around, don’t drown. Never drive around barricades or other barriers that have been placed to close a road.