Jess Wilder
Mar 17, 2023
On Sunday morning, July 26, 2026, rainwater remains on NC 12 in Pea Island, especially in the area north of the Visitor Center.
For four days, rain has fallen on Hatteras Island and elsewhere in eastern North Carolina. In Rodanthe, from July 23 to July 25, 6.31 inches of rain fell.
NCDOT closed NC 12 on Friday and reopened the troubled road at 3:15 Friday afternoon.
Hatteras Island Community Emergency Response Team posted this on Saturday: “there are many people trying to get on and off the Island and the delays are long. Be courteous, don’t splash other cars!”
The team’s final Saturday update came at 11 o’clock at night: A few inches of water remain “across both lanes between Oregon Inlet and Pea Island, which are hard to see in the dark. There are spots of standing water, more in the northbound lane, from Oregon Inlet to Rodanthe. Traffic is completely cleared, smooth sailing other than slow going through the areas of water.”
On Sunday morning at 9 o’clock, a driver posted on the team’s Facebook page: “just came through Pea Island, heading south. Some areas of standing water, deepest looked like 4 inches. Drivers are going slow and taking turns at the worst parts. Northbound lane had more standing water than south.”
The water puddled in yards and elsewhere will go on Sunny Monday.
Measles
The number of measles cases in the U.S. has surpassed the record-breaking tally for all of 2025, with five more months of 2026 still to come.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention logged 2,318 cases of measles as of Thursday, according to an agency update on Friday.
The nation had 2,289 cases in 2025, the worst year for measles in more than three decades. Now, 2026 has easily become the U.S.’s worst year for measles since 1991, as major outbreaks in South Carolina, Utah and Arizona have sickened hundreds and smaller clusters of cases sparked in other states.
Current Situation in NC: There have been no new measles cases reported since the week ending Feb. 21, 2026. There are no recent confirmed exposure locations. The state’s Department of Health and Human Services will share updates if the current situation changes.
Cameras can be posted
Automatic License Plate Readers or cameras on state roads was a provision in the state budget and opened all state-maintained road to the cameras.
The State Bureau of Investigation had run the readers as a pilot since 2023 under a program set to expire July 1. Any law enforcement agency can now petition NCDOT to place a camera on a state right-of-way.
Scam warning from Sheriff
The Dare County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a scam involving callers using the names of deputies and claiming the person missed jury duty.
The Sheriff’s Office said residents should not provide any personal information. Anyone who receives one of the calls should hang up and block the number.
They emphasized that neither the Sheriff’s Office nor its employees will ask for payment or money in person, by phone, text or online for missed court dates, tickets or similar matters.
Anyone who is unsure about a call or has questions can contact the Dare County Sheriff’s Office at 252-475-5980.
Beautification of Rodanthe Roundabout receives approval
On Friday, July 24, a committee of the Rodanthe-Waves-Salvo received approval from NCDOT for its plan to beautify the Roundabout with one exception.
The committee has designed an arrangement of native plants for the roundabout.
A plant order will be submitted by the end of this upcoming week and to be ready for planting in the fall.
The committee will need volunteers. A schedule of volunteer work will be posted.
Kittens need help
The Outer Banks SPCA is asking the community to help replenish its supply of food and toys as the shelter continues to care for a growing number of kittens during the height of this year’s kitten season.
Shelter officials said their nursery is currently overflowing with young cats that require frequent feedings throughout the day, causing supplies to disappear quickly. The organization said it is running especially low on canned kitten food, dry kitten food, and toys as more litters continue to arrive.
The Outer Banks SPCA said donations of kitten food from any reputable brand are welcome and can be dropped off at the shelter or purchased through the organization’s online wish list. Community members who are unable to donate are encouraged to share the appeal to help reach more potential supporters.
The nonprofit operates the Dare County Animal Shelter in Manteo and provides care for hundreds of homeless and abandoned animals each year.
Donations of kitten food and toys can be dropped off at the Outer Banks SPCA, 378 Airport Road in Manteo.
Dollar General in Waves cited
A Dollar General on Hatteras Island was among 16 stores fined by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for price-scanner errors during the second quarter of 2026, reports Sam Walker with OBXNews.
The department’s Standards Division said the Dollar General in Waves paid a $1,515 fine after failing two inspections.
An initial inspection in February found a 12 percent error rate, with six overcharges in a 50-item lot. A reinspection in March found a 4.33 percent error rate, with 13 overcharges in a 300-item lot.
The store will be re-inspected at a later date, according to a press release.
Grant deadline this week
The Outer Banks Community Foundation is reminding local nonprofits that applications are due by Friday, July 31, for the second round of its 2026 Community Enrichment Grants, which provide funding for charitable projects across the Outer Banks.
The competitive grant program offers funding requests of up to $10,000 and is open to all types of charitable projects, with no restrictions on scope or focus.
According to the Community Foundation, the grants support nonprofit organizations working to address a wide range of community needs, including education, the environment, arts and culture, health, historic preservation, disaster relief, animal welfare, children and youth, and other human services.
The Community Foundation awards grants on a competitive basis throughout the year, with Community Enrichment Grants serving as one of several funding opportunities available to local nonprofits. Unlike the organization’s larger Focus Grants and Impact Grants, Community Enrichment Grants are designed for projects requesting up to $10,000 and are broadly available without specific subject-area requirements.
Events coming up
Soccer tournament fundraiser sponsored by Hatteras Island Futbol takes place Monday, July 27, from 7 to 9 at night. Games at the Fessenden Center. Six players per team. $10 per player.
On Tuesday, June 2, visit with local authors Jan Dawson and Buddy Sloan at Buxton Village Books from 11 to 1.
On Saturday, August 1, hear Gospel Blue Grass from the McCallister Brothers and Paquettes at 6 o’clock in the evening at the Frisco Woods Campground. Donations accepted for expenses.
Be careful out there. This is Radio Hatteras.