During any storm, follow official orders from Dare, Currituck and Hyde counties. This page is for orientation and planning, not a substitute for official instructions.
Last verified: July 2026
How evacuations work
Counties issue mandatory evacuation orders by zone. Zone A is all of Hatteras Island: Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco and Hatteras village. For any other address, check your zone with NC’s Know Your Zone lookup.
Dare County: two routes off the beach
Highway 64 West runs via Roanoke Island, Manns Harbor and the Alligator River. This is the county’s recommended route, especially from Hatteras Island, Nags Head and Roanoke Island. It has fewer lights and a steadier speed, so it looks longer on GPS but is typically faster. Heading north afterward? The county says take 64 West to I-95 rather than fighting Hampton Roads traffic.
Highway 158 North crosses the Wright Memorial Bridge toward Elizabeth City and Norfolk. This is the natural route from the northern beaches: Corolla, Duck, Southern Shores and Kitty Hawk take NC 12 south to US 158 west.
Note: Currituck County issues its own orders and can order the Corolla Off-Road Area (Carova) evacuated separately.
Ocracoke: evacuation by ferry
Ocracoke evacuates by NC ferry, using the Hatteras, Cedar Island and Swan Quarter routes. During an evacuation, tolls are waived leaving the island, and inbound ferries are restricted to vehicles with Ocracoke re-entry stickers. See the NC ferry service for schedules and details.
Getting back after a storm
Reentry is staged and permit-based.
Dare County issues annual reentry permits. Prior-year permits are not accepted, and no permits are issued within 72 hours of expected landfall.
Hyde County (Ocracoke) uses a color-coded pass system: Red for emergency, state and county personnel; Yellow for essential island personnel; Green for resident property owners; and White for non-resident property owners.
Practical notes
There are no storm shelters on the islands, so plan to head inland. NC 12 commonly floods and can stay impassable for days after a storm.
Stay informed: OBX Alerts for county alerts; DriveNC and the NCDOT NC12 accounts for road conditions; and the Dare County evacuation page for official route info.
Frequently asked questions
Which evacuation route should I take from the Outer Banks?
It depends on where you are. From Hatteras Island, Nags Head and Roanoke Island, Dare County recommends Highway 64 West via Roanoke Island, Manns Harbor and the Alligator River. From the northern beaches (Corolla, Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk), take NC 12 south to US 158 north over the Wright Memorial Bridge. Always follow the specific order issued for your zone.
Do I need a permit to return after a hurricane evacuation?
Yes. Reentry is staged and permit-based. Dare County issues annual reentry permits, prior-year permits are not accepted, and none are issued within 72 hours of expected landfall. Hyde County uses a color-coded pass system for Ocracoke.
Are there storm shelters on the Outer Banks?
No. There are no storm shelters on the islands, so plan to head inland. Keep in mind that NC 12 commonly floods and can stay impassable for days after a storm.
How does Ocracoke evacuate?
Ocracoke evacuates by NC ferry, using the Hatteras, Cedar Island and Swan Quarter routes. Tolls are waived when leaving during an evacuation, and inbound ferries are restricted to vehicles with Ocracoke re-entry stickers.