Hatteras, September 25, 2025
News Summary
A significant power outage in Hatteras, NC, affected over 8,000 customers due to salt accumulation on a visitor center fuse. The situation escalated, prompting a mandatory evacuation for 70,000 tourists from Hatteras and Ocracoke islands following damage to power lines during bridge construction. Local authorities declared a state of emergency to expedite restoration efforts, while residents cope with energy conservation measures amid disrupted emergency services.
Hatteras, North Carolina
A major power outage impacted just over 8,000 customers on the Outer Banks early Tuesday morning, primarily affecting the communities of Avon, Buxton, Frisco, Hatteras, Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo. The outage was caused by salt accumulation on the Pea Island Visitor Center fuse. Fortunately, power has since been restored to the affected areas. However, a separate incident led to a mandatory evacuation order for about 70,000 visitors and vacationers from Hatteras and Ocracoke islands.
This evacuation was necessary after three power lines were damaged during bridge construction. A construction company accidentally severed one of the underground power cables, compromising the remaining two cables, which resulted in a significant loss of power supply. In response to the situation, Dare County issued a mandatory evacuation order that took effect at 6 a.m. on Saturday, due to life safety issues arising from the power loss.
The evacuation order applied to villages on Hatteras Island, specifically Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, and Hatteras. Notably, areas north of Oregon Inlet were not included in this order. Prior to this evacuation, a mandatory power conservation order had been established, urging residents to remove air conditioning and hot tub heaters from the power grid.
As of Friday afternoon, over 2,300 individuals and 893 vehicles had evacuated Ocracoke, which can only be accessed by ferry. In light of the outage, crews are exploring two potential solutions: digging up the damaged cables for splicing or constructing a new overhead transmission line. The Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative is focused on restoring power through temporary generators and has urged residents to conserve energy.
In an effort to expedite the restoration process, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency, facilitating the quick allocation of resources needed for power restoration. This outage has significantly disrupted local businesses and tourism activities during the peak vacation season, leading to parallels being drawn between the situation and a hurricane, despite the absence of destructive weather.
Residents are currently relying on generators and making necessary adjustments to cope with the power loss while crews continue working around the clock to restore electricity. Moreover, the Dare County Sheriff’s Office reported a separate incident where a fiber optic cable was cut, further disrupting 911 services and affecting cell phone and internet connectivity. Residents were advised to head to local fire departments for emergency services during this time.
FAQ
What caused the major power outage in Hatteras and surrounding areas?
The major power outage was caused by salt accumulation on the Pea Island Visitor Center fuse.
How many customers were affected by the power outage?
Just over 8,000 customers on the Outer Banks were affected.
What areas were evacuated due to the power outage?
About 70,000 visitors and vacationers were ordered to evacuate Hatteras and Ocracoke islands, affecting areas including Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, and Hatteras.
What measures are being taken for power restoration?
Crews are exploring options to either dig up the damaged cables to splice them or to build a new overhead transmission line. The Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative is also working on providing temporary generators.
Were there any impacts on emergency services?
Yes, a separate fiber optic cable cut affected 911 services and impacted cell phone and internet connectivity, urging residents to go to local fire departments for emergency services.
Summary of Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Cause of Power Outage | Salt accumulation on Pea Island Visitor Center fuse |
| Affected Customers | Over 8,000 customers on the Outer Banks |
| Evacuation Order | Mandatory for 70,000 visitors from Hatteras and Ocracoke islands |
| State of Emergency | Declared by North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper |
| Power Restoration Efforts | Exploration of options for cable splicing or new overhead line |
| Impact on Emergency Services | Fiber optic cable cut affecting 911 services |
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Additional Resources
- Wavy: Thousands impacted by power outage on the Outer Banks
- Google Search: Outer Banks power outage
- NBC News: All power cut as tens of thousands flee North Carolina Outer Banks
- Wikipedia: Outer Banks
- WTKR: Cell phone, internet outage impacting 911 service on Hatteras and Ocracoke islands
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Outer Banks
Author: STAFF HERE OUTER BANKS WRITER
The OBX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOBX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in the Outer Banks, Dare County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Outer Banks Seafood Festival, NC VIP Fishing Tournament, and NCBBA Red Drum Tournament. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce and Outer Banks Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in tourism, retail, and hospitality that power the local economy such as Kitty Hawk Kites, Outer Banks Mall, and Avon Fishing Pier. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HERERaleigh.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
