NC Ferries have successfully evacuated 1,113 vehicles and 2,263 passengers from Ocracoke Island, with the final boat set to leave for Swan Quarter at 11 a.m. Ferries to Hatteras will continue to operate as long as the weather permits.

As the edges of Hurricane Erin get closer to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, much attention has been placed on Highway 12, a roughly 150-mile-long byway that connects that state’s islands and peninsulas. It is beloved by locals and tourists because of its scenic views of the ocean, sand dunes and old lighthouses.

The DOT says its ferry system has carried more than 2,200 passengers from Ocracoke Island during evacuation efforts this week.

The NWS Newport/Morehead City NC released an updated storm surge watch at 5:05 a.m. on Tuesday in effect until 1:15 p.m. for Ocracoke Island.

The NWS Newport/Morehead City NC released an updated tropical storm warning at 4:42 p.m. on Tuesday in effect until Wednesday at 12:45 a.m. for Ocracoke Island.

Several days of heavy surf and high winds and waves could wash out parts of NC 12, which connects the popular vacation spot to the mainland, the National Weather Service said.

An updated storm surge warning was issued by the NWS Newport/Morehead City NC on Tuesday at 4:42 p.m. in effect until Wednesday at 12:45 a.m. for Ocracoke Island.

Tideland Electric Membership Corportation had 11 crew members deployed to Ocracoke to supplement their island workforce. Today’s ferry crossing had the delivery