Visitors return to Hatteras Island after Hurricane Erin evacuations

DARE COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) - Hatteras Island opened back up to visitors early Sunday morning after a mandatory evacuation order was lifted following Hurricane Erin.

High waters and high sand still lined parts of the coast in Dare County, on Sunday, and double red “no swimming” flags remained posted to warn beachgoers.

Conditions weren’t perfect, but they were good enough for vacationers like Julie Chipman and her family, who had been waiting for the island to reopen.

“We were sad yesterday — we were just waiting because we didn’t know when we would be able to come to the island,” Chipman told WITN. “When we found out at 11 that we could come today at 5 a.m., we quickly got packed and left the house.”

Other families had also been staying inland and made the trip in early Sunday.

On the way into Hatteras Island, travelers have to take Highway 12. The highway closed back on Wednesday due to anticipated ocean overwash from Hurricane Erin.

Sand and water were still sitting on the roadway on Sunday as people began to return.

“We’ve been here before when it was worse,” Chipman said. “We were walking in a foot of water, maybe six inches. So this actually looked okay.”

Some homes along the coast saw damage from large waves and sand, while cleanup crews worked to clear debris in several areas.

Residents, property owners, and workers were allowed access to Highway 12 at the Basnight Bridge on Saturday.