Ferries taking people off North Carolina Outer Banks island ahead of Hurricane Earl

Ferries take people off NC island ahead of Earl

OCRACOKE, N.C. — Ferries are taking people off an island on North Carolina’s Outer Banks as powerful Hurricane Earl heads toward the United States.

North Carolina Emergency Management Department officials say two ferries began making the 2½-hour trip to the mainland shortly after 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Hyde County spokeswoman Jamie Tunnell says about 30 cars and trucks pulling campers were waiting in line for the first ferry before 6 a.m.

Emergency Services Director Lindsey Mooney says officials hope the 800 or so local residents will follow tourists off the island.

Megan Aldridge at the Ocracoke Harbor Inn says guests in eight rooms were leaving and she expected those in the other seven occupied rooms to leave as well.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

OCRACOKE, N.C. (AP) — Ferries are taking people off an island on North Carolina’s Outer Banks as powerful Hurricane Earl heads toward the United States.

North Carolina Emergency Management Department officials say two ferries began making the 2½-hour trip to the mainland shortly after 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Hyde County spokeswoman Jamie Tunnell says about 30 cars and trucks pulling campers were waiting in line for the first ferry before 6 a.m.

Emergency Services Director Lindsey Mooney says officials hope the 800 or so local residents will follow tourists off the island.

Megan Aldridge at the Ocracoke Harbor Inn says guests in eight rooms were leaving and she expected those in the other seven occupied rooms to leave as well.