OCRACOKE, N.C. — As Hurricane Erin nears the North Carolina coast, authorities have taken major steps to protect residents and infrastructure along NC Highway 12 on Ocracoke Island.

After the last ferry from Ocracoke to Hatteras departed at 5:30 PM on Wednesday, NC 12 will be closed until further notice on the north end of the island, between the Pony Pens and the Ferry Terminal. Officials say the road will reopen only when it is safe to do so.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation, or NCDOT, has also suspended two ferry routes across Pamlico Sound due to the hurricane: Ocracoke to Cedar Island and Ocracoke to Swan Quarter. The Ocracoke to Hatteras ferry will temporarily suspend operations at 5:30 PM.

These ferry services have been critical in evacuating residents following Hy

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