Governor McCrory Directs State Ferries to Assist with Evacuation Efforts | Eastern NC Now

    Publisher's note: Stay connected to BCN for all of our many Hurricane Mathew updates.

Press Release:

    Raleigh, N.C.     As Hurricane Matthew approaches, Governor Pat McCrory has directed the state ferry system to assist with the phased evacuation of Ocracoke Island. Hyde County issued a mandatory evacuation order for island visitors beginning at 5 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5, to be followed by a mandatory evacuation for all residents at 5 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 6.

    "We are doing everything we can to prepare for Hurricane Matthew and ensure the safety of our citizens and visitors," said Governor McCrory. "I urge everyone on Ocracoke Island to take these evacuation orders seriously."

    On Wednesday, only residents, property owners, vendors, and critical infrastructure providers with Ocracoke re-entry documentation will be allowed on ferries inbound to Ocracoke. On Thursday, only emergency personnel and vendors will be allowed onto the island.

    Priority boarding will be suspended for all vessels leaving Ocracoke Wednesday morning and tolls will be waived for ferries heading from Ocracoke to Cedar Island or Swan Quarter. All ferry service to and from Ocracoke will end Thursday night at midnight, to allow all ferries and ferry personnel to find safe harbor from the storm.

    Governor McCrory declared a state of emergency on Monday, urging residents and visitors to be prepared for heavy rain, flooding, and the possibility of hurricane-force winds when Matthew passes through the state over the weekend.

    Evacuation procedures will remain in effect for all Ocracoke-bound ferries until Hyde County emergency officials lift the evacuation order.

    In order to assist with evacuation and recovery efforts for Hurricane Matthew, the Southport-Fort Fisher ferry route will be running a one-boat schedule beginning at 7:45 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5. The new schedule is as follows:

Monday-Friday:

    From Southport: 7:45 a.m, 9:15, 10:45, 12:15 p.m., 1:45, 3:15, 4:45, and 6:15.

    From Fort Fisher: 8:30 a.m., 10, 11:30, 1 p.m., 2:30, 4, 5:30, and 7.

Saturday-Sunday:

    From Southport: 9:15 a.m., 10:45, 12:15 p.m., 1:45, 3:15, 4:45, and 6:15.

    From Fort Fisher: 10 a.m., 11:30, 1 p.m., 2:30, 4, 5:30, and 7.

    The Southport route will return to its regular schedule as soon as the M/V Fort Fisher returns to the area.

    For real-time updates on schedule changes, follow the North Carolina Ferry System on Twitter at @NCDOT_Ferry.

• Contact: Crystal Feldman
•     govpress@nc.gov