Due to the extensive damage to Ocracoke’s homes, businesses and infrastructure by Hurricane Dorian on Sept. 6 and the uncertainty of when visitors can safely return to the island, the island-wide yard sale scheduled Saturday and this year’s Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree have been canceled.
The jamboree produced as a weekend event at the end of October by the Ocracoke Civic & Business Association, the association’s board of directors issued the following statement:
“We are all working very hard at the difficult job of cleanup and restoration of the island. We appreciate the understanding of those whose plans have been disrupted by this decision and look forward to welcoming our visitors back to the island as soon as we are able.
“Many of our residents have suffered extensive damage to their homes and personal possessions. We are so appreciative of the support from so many generous champions of our island. It will take time, hard work and dedication to rebuild, but our Ocracoke community spirit is strong, and everyone is going above and beyond to help each other.
“We’ve still got a way to go, but we’ll get there!”
Ocracoke Island is still under mandatory evacuation as recovery continues from the island-wide inundation from Dorian and will be for an undetermined amount of time.
