In this series of blogs, I am examining ways that island communities are living with the rules of the ocean. In this blog, I examine how Ocracoke Island deals with erosion. Southwest of Hatteras Island, and separated from Hatteras Island by Hatteras Inlet, is Ocracoke Island, which runs southwest to its terminus at Ocracoke Inlet. At 16 miles long, Ocracoke Island is remarkably inaccessible for its size. Indeed, it is easily the Outer Banks’ most remote destination. To access this island, visitors have to either set sail across the Pamlico Sound, hop on board one of the three state ferries that make daily runs to and from the island or land at a small airfield at the southern end of the island.
The only town, aptly named Ocracoke, is nestled on the widest section of the island, sound side, bordering Silver Lake - a large, lagoon-like bay. North and south of the town, residents and vacationers alike will see remnants of the large artificial dune constructed back in the 1930's. This dune has blocked the overwash process from occurring for some 80 years which seems like a good thing for protecting the island from flooding. However, the real end product is an island that has been cut off from its elevation increasing process for decades resulting in an island that is now lower than it otherwise would be. Today, this artificial dune is breached in numerous places meaning smaller and smaller storms will be able to flood Ocracoke Island. And, where will the flood waters go? Right into the "bowl" that is the lower elevation central portion of the island. This is exactly what happened following Hurricane Dorian in September, 2019. In addition to flooding, shoreline erosion of more than 40 feet/year, the highest along the Outer Banks, is found on Ocracoke Island.
In sum, the Outer Bank island communities in Currituck, Dare and Hyde Counties all face serious challenges from receding shorelines and storm wave attacks. These communities are using beach replenishment to maintain wide and handsome beaches to protect buildings, and improve the economy and quality of life. Replenishment is the “wave of the future” in these Northern Outer Bank communities with heavy shoreline development.
This is not necessarily the case with the islands that comprise the Southern Outer Banks in Carteret County. To be sure, two of these barrier islands, Core and Shackleford, no longer are inhabited. But, they were inhabited at one time and this brings into play another mitigation option: relocation which I will discuss in my next blog. That being said, to learn more about life in Emerald Isle, NC, along the Southern Outer Banks, go to my website, www.EIHomesforSale.com and request my free Guide to Living Were You Vacation or text your email address to: 919-308-2292. Stay well and stay safe.
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