This Land, Your Land

Ocracoke Island, home to part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore including its Ocracoke Campground, will reopen to visitors at 5 p.m. today, Hyde County officials have announced.

The island will be accessible via the Cedar Island and Swan Quarter ferries.

At last word, beaches were open but national park facilities on Ocracoke Island remain closed.

WITN reports that N.C. 12 is open and clear from the village on Ocracoke north to the Hatteras Ferry docks. Hatteras Island north to Oregon Inlet remains closed to visitors.

Hyde County officials warned that "big swells and deadly rip currents are expected Wednesday and Thursday from Hurricane Katia, though she will stay hundreds of miles offshore," WITN in Washington said. "Officials also ask people to be respectful of roadside crews working to clear debris from Hurricane Irene."