News across Dare County

Outer Banks emergency ferry ends with NC 12 now open
The emergency ferry route between Rodanthe and Stumpy Point ended Wednesday after officials reopened N.C. Highway 12 on Pea Island in both directions after being closed nearly a week because of storm damage

State continues to help travelers leave Hatteras Island
In the aftermath of a powerful nor'easter that damaged roadways and trapped visitors, the state is to open at 3 p.m. Tuesday a temporary lane of N.C. Highway 12 between the Marc Basnight Bridge to Rodanthe and continue to offer the 24-hour emergency ferry route between Rodanthe…

Nor’easter thrashes coast from Cape Lookout to Duck
State transportation officials closed most ferry routes and large sections of N.C. Highway 12 because of damage and ocean overwash associated with the late-week coastal storm.

NC 12 sections to return to 45 mph off-season speed limit
Off-season speed limits will resume in Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Corolla, Frisco and areas of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, such as the area near the Haulover parking lot south of Avon.
Rainfall that closed NC 12 on Pea Island part of climate trend
A recent a rainstorm that one transportation engineer described as “an extreme circumstance” nearly impossible to plan for surprised even the most seasoned Outer Bankers when it closed N.C. Highway 12, although more weather like this is to be expected.
Officials plan public meetings to address new ferry tolls
The 2026 budget mandates that NCDOT begin collecting tolls for the currently free Currituck-Knotts Island, Bayview-Aurora, Hatteras-Ocracoke and Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach ferries by Jan. 1, 2027.