Governor Josh Stein visited Dare County on August 22, 2025, to review the aftermath of Hurricane Erin. During his trip, he surveyed damage in areas like Frisco and met with local small business owners affected by the storm. The governor also expressed appreciation for emergency responders who have been working to protect residents and visitors.
He was accompanied by several state officials, including NCDOT Secretary Joey Hopkins, NC DPS Secretary Eddie Buffaloe, NC Emergency Management Director Will Ray, Major General Todd Hunt of the North Carolina National Guard, and local leaders from Dare County.
“While Hurricane Erin remained offshore, flooding and high winds impacted roadways along the Outer Banks, and the closure of NC 12 means that small businesses have had their livelihoods cut off during peak season,” said Governor Josh Stein. “I am thankful to the emergency officials and first responders for their tireless work to prepare for and respond to this storm, and I am confident they will work quickly to ensure folks’ safe return.”
The State Emergency Response Team is still active but plans to move to Enhanced Watch monitoring status tomorrow. Teams from Swift Water Rescue, the North Carolina National Guard, and the U.S. Army Reserve that were deployed in response to Hurricane Erin will be demobilized. Travel disruptions are expected to continue on the Outer Banks due to damaged dunes and ongoing large waves during high tide. There is a possibility of minor coastal flooding in low-lying or shoreline areas as well as tidal waterways. Officials will conduct further assessments over the coming days to evaluate all damage caused by Hurricane Erin.
NC 12 remains closed between key points: from the Northern Ferry Terminal to the National Park Service Pony Pens on Ocracoke Island and from Marc Basnight Bridge to Hatteras Village on Hatteras Island because of overwash and dune breaches. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is working on reopening these sections through pumping out floodwater, clearing sand and debris, rebuilding dunes, and reinforcing them.
The NCDOT Ferry Division has resumed ferry service today between Ocracoke-Swan Quarter and Ocracoke-Cedar Island after Hyde County lifted its evacuation order for residents, property owners, and essential workers. The Ferry Division will continue following Hyde County’s reentry rules until all restrictions are removed; both routes are set to resume normal summer schedules tomorrow. However, ferry service between Hatteras-Ocracoke remains suspended because NC 12 is still closed in that area.
For up-to-date travel details related to road closures or ferry operations across North Carolina—including those affecting hurricane recovery—people can visit https://drivenc.gov/ or check updates via NCDOT’s social media channels.
Further information about state emergency management efforts regarding Hurricane Erin can be found at https://readync.gov/erin.
