HYDE COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) - Hyde County has lifted its mandatory evacuation order for Ocracoke Island.

Hyde County commissioners say essential personnel, residents and property owners will be able to access the island in that order of priority starting at 12 p.m. today, pending NCDOT ferry availability.

Officials say the evacuation order for visitors is still in effect as crews assess conditions on Highway 12 at the north end of Ocracoke.

The commissioners issued a state of emergency and ordered a mandatory evacuation earlier this week ahead of Hurricane Erin.

NCDOT crews are currently working to clear Highway 12 of the overwash and sand that piled up as Hurricane Erin made its approach to the coast.

Officials say ferries will pick up operations on the sound class routes this afterno

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