Dare County, National Park Service and Dare County Schools Facilities Closures and Cancellations:

Beginning on Monday, August 25, 2025, all Dare County offices and facilities located on Hatteras Island will resume their regularly scheduled hours of operation.

Dare County Water Department

The Dare County Water Department has attempted to restore water service to the area located south of N.C. Highway 12 and along Old Lighthouse Road in Buxton (see the highlighted area in the aerial image below). The repairs led to the discovery of a water main break in the shoreline. The department anticipates that conditions may allow for repairs to begin this afternoon (Saturday, August 23, 2025) at low tide.

Customers may experience intermittent disruptions throughout the day as repairs are made. This is a developing situation as each high tide has the potential to create new damages.

The entire area highlighted in the image is currently under a system pressure advisory and will be under a 24-hour boil water advisory. For details regarding this advisory, please click here.

The Dare County Water Department will continue to send out alerts to affected Dare County Water customers.

For any customers experiencing water loss, bottled water will be available for pickup at the Cape Hatteras Water Plant. Please stop by and ring the front door bell to pickup. The Cape Hatteras Water Plant is located at 50225 Water Association Road, Frisco, NC 27936.

Water Department personnel are actively compiling a list of water leaks and exposed lines in need of repair. Please call 252-475-5990 with any information regarding water leaks or exposed water lines.  

NOTE: If you need assistance after normal business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday), please call the Dare County Water Department after-hours phone line: 252-475-5812.

For more information during business hours, please contact the Dare County Water Department at Water@DareNC.gov or 252-475-5990.  

Dare County Public Works

Dare County Public Works will resume its regularly scheduled residential and commercial trash collection for Hatteras Island on Monday, August 25, 2025. The Buxton Transfer Station will also reopen on Monday, August 25, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. and resume regular operating hours.

Dare County Department of Health & Human Services

North Carolina Department of Recreational Water Quality Issues Precautionary Advisory Against Swimming in Ocean Waters near villages impacted by Hurricane Erin

State recreational water quality officials today issued a precautionary advisory warning the public against swimming in ocean waters in and between the Villages of Rodanthe, Buxton and Hatteras along Highway 12 on Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

The advisory is due to public health risks resulting from exposed septic drain fields and pumping of ocean overwash to the ocean surf. Hurricane Erin caused extensive erosion and storm surge in this area.

Wastewater discharges increase the risk that contamination is present in the ocean and nearby tidal pools. Adverse health effects such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps and skin infections could occur if people swim in these areas, and the public is advised to avoid bodily contact with these waters.

The risk of exposure from wastewater system failures is temporary and should be resolved once the septic tank is emptied and the system is no longer being utilized. The state is working with the National Park Service and Dare County officials to determine when the risk of exposure is no longer a concern. 

For more information on the N.C. Recreational Water Quality Program or to a view a map of testing sites, visit the program’s website, and follow the program’s X feed.

Dare County Department of Health & Human Services encourages you to consider the following information to protect your health after Hurricane Erin:

If flooding occurred:

Avoid contact with flood water. Flood water may contain fecal material from overflowing sewage systems and other hidden hazards such as debris.  Do not walk in or play in flooded areas, especially in bare feet or flimsy footwear.  You may be at risk for possible infection or injury from flood waters.  If you do come into contact with flood water, wash exposed skin thoroughly with soap and safe water. Do not allow children to play in flood water areas, wash children's hands frequently, and do not allow children to play with flood-water contaminated toys that have not been disinfected. 

If you have a septic system:

Assess your system after the storm. If property is flooded, use water conservation practices until flood waters recede. If your system has been physically damaged or malfunctions, please contact the Dare County Environmental Health Unit at 252.475.5080 to initiate the repair process.

If your home was flooded:

Assure it is safe to enter. Remove mold and mildew. Dry out the walls. Check heating and air conditioning. Assure the building is dry before repairing.

For more detailed information, please visit DareNC.com/StormReady or contact the Dare County Department of Health & Human Services’ Public Health Division at 252.475.5003 or 252-475-5080.

National Park Service (Cape Hatteras National Seashore)

Visitor Facilities: Bodie Island Lighthouse climbing resumed Friday, August 22, 2025.  

Campgrounds: Oregon Inlet Campground is open to visitors.

Beaches and Off-Road Vehicle Access: Coquina beach is open. Off-road vehicle (ORV) ramps 2 and 4 in the Bodie Island district are open for visitor access.   

Due to the presence of threatened oceanfront structures, the Seashore remains closed to beach access in Rodanthe from the terminus of Old Highway 12 to the end of the Ocean Drive and in front of the village of Buxton southward to Ramp 43.  

For updated information, visit: NPS, Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

Dare County Schools

Dear Hatteras Staff and Families,

We hope you and your loved ones are safe and doing well following the storm. Dare County Officials and the N.C. Department of Transportation has confirmed that roads are safe, drivable, and open for travel. 

To ensure our schools are ready to welcome students, the first day of school for Cape Hatteras Elementary and Cape Hatteras Secondary Schools has been postponed.

• Monday, August 25 will be a Required Workday for staff to prepare classrooms.

• Tuesday, August 26 will be the first day of school for students.

Dare Early College Students: Buses will run on their regular schedule Monday, August 25, for Hatteras students attending Dare Early College.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we make this adjustment. We believe this extra day will allow for a smooth and positive start to the school year. We look forward to welcoming our students back on Tuesday.

Stay safe and take care,
Dare County Schools

In multi-jurisdictional emergencies/disasters, direction and control will be managed by a group of Senior Leaders in Dare County, consisting of the Dare County Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, the six municipal mayors, the Superintendent of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, and the Dare County Sheriff.

Senior Leaders are those individuals able to declare a local state of emergency under N.C.G.S 166A-19.22, impose restrictions and prohibitions under N.C.G.S 166A-19.31, and utilize other authorities to protect public health and safety in Dare County.

Emergency information will be disseminated through media outlets under the direction of the Senior Leaders.

• Robert Woodard, Chairman of the Dare County Board of Commissioners
• Don Kingston, Mayor, Town of Duck
• Elizabeth Morey, Mayor, Town of Southern Shores
• Craig Garriss, Mayor, Town of Kitty Hawk
• John Windley, Mayor, Town of Kill Devil Hills
• Ben Cahoon, Mayor, Town of Nags Head
• Betty Selby, Mayor Pro Tem, Town of Manteo
• Dave Hallac, Superintendent, National Park Service
• Doug Doughtie, Dare County Sheriff

Click here to access Hurricane Erin photos and videos.

Click here to access educational hurricane infographics.  

Click here to access the latest National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City Weather Briefing.

Questions?

Contact Dare County Public Information Director Dorothy Hester at Dorothy@DareNC.gov.

 Those who are evacuating to areas north of Dare County are encouraged to travel westbound on Highway 64 to Interstate 95. Evacuating through the rural areas to the west of Dare County will help avoid traffic backups and congestion that may prolong evacuation by traveling northbound through the Hampton Roads portion of Virginia. For more information about Dare County’s two evacuation routes, please visit www.DareNC.gov/Evacuation.

NOTE: Dare County continues to operate under a State of Emergency. In addition, the Mandatory Evacuation order issued for all areas of Hatteras Island (Hurricane Evacuation Zone A) remains in effect until further notice. 

During a declared State of Emergency that requires a Mandatory Evacuation in order to ensure public safety, Dare County officials will determine when the area is safe to return to.

Once an evacuation order is lifted, Dare County will follow a staged reentry process to facilitate a safe and orderly return to the community. Individuals will be permitted to return to Dare County in four stages based on the priority of their reentry, which can be located on the valid reentry permit they obtained for the current year.

Information regarding reentry will be shared at DareNC.gov.
For more information about Dare County's reentry process, visit DareNC.gov/Reentry.

Delays to reentry into Dare County following a Mandatory Evacuation can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
-Limited public safety response capabilities
-Damaged/inoperative water supply systems
-Limited communications
-Power outages, septic issues, undermined structures, debris making roadways unsafe or impassable
-Damage to personal property and critical infrastructure needed to support the population.

For more information regarding Dare County's staged reentry process, please visit DareNC.gov/Reentry. 

NOTE: Dare County continues to operate under a State of Emergency. In addition, the Mandatory Evacuation order issued for all areas of Hatteras Island (Hurricane Evacuation Zone A) remains in effect until further notice.

Once Dare County officials determine that it is safe to return to Hatteras Island, a staged reentry process will be used to facilitate a safe and orderly return for Hatteras Island residents, property owners and visitors.

Dare County's 2025 reentry permit applications are still open and include the following stages:

Essential Personnel (Priority One)
Essential personnel includes essential utilities personnel, government personnel, medical personnel and damage assessment personnel.

Permanent Residents and Essential Personnel for Critical Businesses (Priority Two)
Critical businesses include grocery stores, food distributors, pharmacies, banks, gas stations, property management, building supply stores and hotels.

Non-Resident Property Owners and Non-Resident Employees of Non-Critical Businesses (Priority Three)
Non-resident property owners will also be allowed reentry with a current real property tax bill or property record with matching current government-issued ID or a reentry permit with matching current government-issued identification. Non-resident employees of non-critical businesses will be allowed entry with a reentry permit with matching current government issued identification.

General Public and Visitors (Priority Four)
No reentry permit is needed for Priority Four.

No one with proper identification will be denied reentry. Reentry permits from previous years will not be accepted. To apply for a 2025 Dare County reentry permit, visit DareNC.gov/Reentry.

Any plans to visit the Outer Banks should be confirmed with your accommodations provider/property management company before traveling to the area.

All accommodations must be assessed for safety before you will be allowed access.

Don’t risk coming to the area and ultimately having to turn back around once you arrive. Please contact your accommodations provider before leaving for your trip to verify that your property or room is available.

NOTE: Dare County continues to operate under a State of Emergency. In addition, the Mandatory Evacuation order issued for all areas of Hatteras Island (Hurricane Evacuation Zone A) remains in effect until further notice.  

Dare County conducts a preliminary damage assessment as soon as the roads are relatively clear of heavy debris and flood waters. The amount of time it takes for this process to be completed depends on the extent of storm damages that have occurred.    

Strong winds from tropical storms and hurricanes can cause dangerous waves and rip currents to occur—even if the storm is hundreds of miles offshore. Rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water that pose a significant danger to swimmers due to their ability to quickly pull even the strongest swimmers away from the shore and out to sea, creating a risk of drowning.

Dare County Emergency Management advises everyone to obey any and all warning flags that are flying on area beaches and to stay out of the water when hazardous conditions occur. Check the daily beach condition report by visiting LoveTheBeachRespectTheOcean.com. You can also sign up to receive daily beach condition forecasts and alerts via text by texting “OBXBeachConditions” to 77295.