Today Governor Josh Stein declared a state of emergency in Dare and Hyde counties and called on the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to grant emergency relief supporting the repair of N.C. Highway 12.
“Following the back-to-back strong coastal storms that have damaged NC 12, I’ve declared a state of emergency in Dare and Hyde counties, which will allow the state to coordinate the work to restore NC 12,” said Governor Josh Stein. “NC 12 is essential, so I’m asking our federal partners to support immediate repairs and work with us to accelerate longer-term solutions for this vital stretch of highway. NCDOT and our federal partners are already working closely together, and we must build on that partnership to provide more reliable access to the Outer Banks.”
“Our highway and ferry teams have worked tirelessly in dangerous conditions to maintain and restore access for Outer Banks communities, and I’m grateful for their dedication,” said NCDOT Secretary Daniel Johnson. “As we respond to these storms, NCDOT is also working closely with the Federal Highway Administration, the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife and other partners on longer-term solutions to strengthen NC 12’s resilience and provide more reliable access for residents, businesses and visitors.”
On September 24, 2026, a strong coastal storm brought high winds, heavy rain, ocean overwash, and destructive flooding to the Outer Banks. NC 12 sustained significant structural damage in Dare County between the Marc Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe. On Ocracoke Island in Hyde County, overwash destroyed the protective dunes and damaged the highway between the ferry terminal and the National Park Service pony pens. The damaged sections were closed from September 24, 2026, until September 29, 2026, when they reopened to northbound traffic only. Ferry service in both counties was suspended for the same period.
On October 16, 2026, a second coastal storm caused additional damage to NC 12 on Hatteras Island and again suspended ferry service. Dare County declared a local state of emergency on September 26, 2026, and again on October 16, 2026, and ordered the evacuation of Hatteras Island.
Yesterday, the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Ferry Division began 24-hour emergency ferry service between Stumpy Point and Rodanthe to provide a transportation link between Hatteras and the North Carolina mainland while a section of N.C. 12 remains closed. Click here to read more about the emergency ferry schedule.
At the Pea Island Visitor Center, state transportation crews are restoring more than 1,800 feet of the highway’s protective dunes that have been lost to ocean overwash in recent days. Crews are using heavy equipment to clear significant amounts of blown sand covering sections of N.C. 12 in the nearby Canal Zone. Crews estimated Wednesday that about 800 feet of N.C. 12 pavement was damaged by ocean water that undermined the road Tuesday night. Additional high tide cycles and continued ocean overwash must subside before NCDOT can fully assess damage to N.C. 12 and determine what repairs will be needed to restore travel access.
NC 12 is a federal-aid highway. Its immediate repair is necessary to restore access to Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands and to protect public health and safety. FHWA Emergency Relief eligibility depends on a state emergency declaration, and this Executive Order supports the State’s pending request for aid.
Click here to read Executive Order 41: Declaration of a State of Emergency.