'North Carolina dodged a bullet': Gov. Josh Stein tours Outer Banks to see Hurricane Erin damage
Gov. Josh Stein was among the state leaders on Friday who toured the damage in the Outer Banks after Hurricane Erin.
Stein spoke Friday afternoon from the Dare County Emergency Operations Center.
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“We didn’t have the absolute best [outcome] because when we were down in Hatteras, we saw some businesses that took it on the chin [and] some homeowners experienced real damage to their property,” Stein said. “But goodness, North Carolina dodged a bullet with Hurricane Erin.”
Stein added, “No reported loss of life. Now, [North Carolina] Highway 12 needs a ton of work.”
The eye of Hurricane Erin stayed hundreds of miles from Cape Hatteras as it moved through the Atlantic. Erin's outer bands brought storm surge, breached sand dunes and had overwash onto N.C. Highway 12.
Stein thanked the North Carolina Department of Transportation for its work preparing and treating N.C. Highway 12.
“N.C. 12 is critical to the Outer Banks,” Stein said. “It’s what connects the residents and the tourists to one of the most beautiful pieces of Earth in the United States, and that’s our Outer Banks.”
Stein said the state and Dare County leaders would work as quickly as possible to reopen North Carolina Highway 12.
Joey Hopkins, the secretary of the North Department of Transportation, said there were two sand dune breaches Thursday night into Friday morning on Pea Island. He said Friday afternoon that they've been repaired.
Hopkins offered some optimism.
"So far, we have no damage to N.C. 12, so that's positive news," Hopkins said. "It's just sand and moving the water."
On Wednesday evening, the state Department of Transportation closed N.C. Highway 12 from Oregon Inlet to Hatteras Village. The closures are still in place due to ocean overwash and dune breaches from Hurricane Erin.
“The state emergency response team’s unofficial motto is, ‘prepare for the worst and hope for the best,’” Stein said.
Dare County Board of Commissioners Chair Bob Woodard also spoke on Friday.
“Every disaster begins and ends at the local level,” Woodard said. “Here in Dare County, this is not our first rodeo.
“We’re no strangers to hurricanes.”
Woodard added, “We also know our strength is multiplied when we have the support of these folks standing before you today.”
Stein urged people to listen to what county and local leaders say about beach conditions. He advised people to stay out of the water this weekend. He mentioned the high tide on Friday night, which could bring more water onto land.
On Friday, Stein said there are steps the state and Federal government can take to address the lost beach. It's an issue that goes back years.
"We cannot stop the ocean, but what we can do is move sand and try to buttress it, so when there are ... big tides or big waves, it slows it down," Stein said.
Related: NC Highway 12 closure: NCDOT faces ongoing battle with overwash along Outer Banks roadway
Previous: After Erin, how prepared is North Carolina to handle more hurricanes in 2025?
Outer Banks resident says Hurricane Erin damage is among the worst he's seen
Outer Banks resident Donny Bowers is a photographer, and he said the damage on Buxton beach from Hurricane Erin is among the worst he's ever seen.
"I was just blown away by how big the surf was over here and how much more damage it was doing," Bowers said.
Bowers captured pictures on Friday, showing toppled power poles, swamped swimming pools, and at least one home left officially unsafe to occupy.
"I think if we had strong dune lines and things like that and a good beach, I think the damage would be minimal, but we didn't," Bowers said.
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