NC’s ‘Shelly Island’ Disappears During Winter Storms

CAPE HATTERAS, NC — North Carolina’s newest barrier island that formed last year off the coast and helped grow the state grow by 27-acres, is officially no more due to recent storms along the coast according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

“Shelly Island,” as the sandbar was named last summer, has been “redistributed” into the Atlantic Ocean, NASA said.

Satellite images from NASA’s Landsat 8 reveal the fledgling island that captured the attention of tourists and locals alike had disappeared from view.

“The reasons for the island’s formation and evolution are complex and not entirely clear,” NASA said. Scientists speculate it formed because of how weather conditions lined up.

“Winds were strong enough to stir up the waves and currents that carry sand alongshore from the more northerly barrier islands toward the cape,” NASA said. “Then winds became calm enough for that sand transport to be halted by obstacles such as circular currents within Hatteras Bight and the expansive shoals of the cape. Sand accumulated, an island grew, and tourists flocked to the area to witness the spectacle.”

Shelly Island likely eroded during hurricanes Irma, Jose and Maria that all struck along the coast this past September. Those storms split Shelly Island in half.

“Winter storms continued to batter what was left of the island and wash it away,” NASA said.

While Shelly Island was short lived, it gained a following.

“We went to Shelley Island, based on family informing us of this new island,” said one reviewer on TripAdvisor. “We were fortunate to have been driven in a 4wd truck at low tide. The ride was a litle rough, speed limit should be respected as you could get stuck in the sand. There were shells in abundance all over the island. We collected and brought home a great selection.”

“I could not believe I was on the coast of NC and the absolute beauty of this place,” said another reviewer. “A fragile little sliver of land that I was blessed to visit.”

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Photos courtesy of NASA