Hurricane Dorian Ocracoke: Supplies Arrive So Dwellers Can Return

OCRACOKE, NC — Rescue crews in North Carolina are continuing their push of food and water to Ocracoke Saturday as transportation officials readied ferry routes to shuttle residents back to their homes.

An estimated 800 residents who remained on the island during the storm became completely isolated on the barrier island Friday as Hurricane Dorian made a near direct hit with torrential wind and rain. Storm surge rose 7 feet in two hours, trapping residents in their home, the Washington Post reported. By mid-afternoon Friday the first helicopter reached the island as authorities asked residents to shelter at the highest point in their homes until they could be rescued.

In certain areas, the storm brought so much water that SUVs and fridges were seen afloat. Officials from Hyde County said Friday afternoon that air units are coming to Ocracoke to evacuate people who stayed through the storm.

The Coast Guard began taking emergency responders to the island by helicopter and airlifting out the sick, the elderly or others in distress, Hyde County authorities told The Washington Post.
Evacuees will be taken to Dare County, where they'll be taken to the Washington County shelter, with food, medical supplies and power.

“Currently the island has no electricity and many homes and buildings are still underwater,” Governor Roy Cooper said Friday. “Helicopters will airlift food and water to the island, and fly the injured and others who want to leave the island to safety.”

Once the storm cleared, North Carolina Department of Transportation began inspecting ferry routes and said once channels were confirmed clear, service was expected to resume to the island Saturday. “Once the emergency ferry to Ocracoke has approval to travel from Swan Quarter, which is expected sometime today, it can accommodate more passengers if travelers who don’t need vehicles leave them parked at the terminal and walk on board,” it said Saturday morning.

The Outer Banks Community Foundation is taking donations for its Disaster Relief Fund to help with immediate relief and response efforts for both Dare County and Ocracoke. “Every penny that is donated will directly assist individuals and families in need on the Outer Banks. The Community Foundation helps with all disaster efforts, from immediate relief to long-term recovery, and even reconstruction and rebuilding,” the organization said.

In recent years, the fund collected nearly $340,000 in donations ear-marked for helping families get back on their feet with emergency food, shelter, water, sanitation, and supplies, the organization said. Donations may be made to the Disaster Relief Fund by calling 252-261-8839, or online.

On the island, the Ocracoke Assembly of God and Ocracoke United Methodist Church were also accepting donations that would go directly to Ocracoke families.

Could have been much worse in North Carolina but some places hit hard! Ocracoke still has no power, gas, 80% vehicles destroyed...@WCKitchen going tonight and will cook meals tomorrow if needed! #ChefsForCarolinas @RoyCooperNC @StephenAtHome https://t.co/nPYIoK6MxH
— José Andrés (@chefjoseandres) September" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/chefjosean... 7, 2019

Residents of the tight knit community took to social media to communicate among themselves and, even with vacationers. One man said there was an immediate need for generators and fuel, and a woman said she would walk and feed any pets of neighbors who were evacuating.

In a Facebook message Friday, Ess Poston said, “I am going to ask that visitors please refrain from asking when the island will open to visitors etc. It is not the time, no one has an answer and won’t for at least a week and honestly the island is devastated...I can assure you that no one will be visiting this week.”

Our house and yard after the first storm surge receded Ocracoke Island NC pic.twitter.com/UC1R2A1G4l
— Deborah Lacks (@debrelacks) September 6, 2019

SEE ALSO:

• Hurricane Dorian's Friday Path Takes It Through NC, Toward MA
• Hurricane Dorian: Ocracoke Island Hit Hard
• Hurricane Dorian: Tweets, Photos From Outer Banks

Patch Editor Deb Belt contributed.