Ferries evacuate thousands from Ocracoke Island ahead of Hurricane Erin

OCRACOKE, NC (WWAY) — North Carolina ferries have evacuated more than 2,200 passengers and 1,100 vehicles from Ocracoke Island as Hurricane Erin moves closer to the coast.

As of Wednesday morning, 2,263 passengers and 1,113 vehicles had been carried off the island, according to the N.C. Ferry Division. The final boat leaving Ocracoke’s Silver Lake terminal for Swan Quarter departed at 11 a.m.

While ferries have moved residents and visitors off the island, some critical vehicles and personnel have also been transported in. A fleet of Tideland EMC trucks and crews was brought onto Ocracoke on Tuesday to assist with storm response and recovery efforts.

Ferry officials said the Ocracoke–Hatteras route will wrap up service later today, with the last boat leaving Hatteras at 4 p.m. and the final ferry departing Ocracoke’s South Dock at 5:30 p.m.

Officials urged residents and visitors to take these trips if they still need to leave. After service ends, ferries will be suspended until conditions improve following the storm.