Ocracoke tries to heal and reopen after Dorian

Hyde County leaders plan to re-open Ocracoke island to visitors Friday if repairs are done along N.C. Highway 12.

The county is hoping to see an economic boost from on the annual influx of duck hunters, but some islanders say it’s too soon.

Hurricane Dorian hit Ocracoke head on. Even though the storm moved quickly, it left the island with flooded homes and destroyed businesses. Almost every car on the island flooded as well as restaurants, shops and hotels.

Hyde County hauled the first batch of debris from the island to the mainland by ferries in early November.

There’s progress, but many of the island's roughly 1,000 residents say it's not enough to welcome back visitors. Three days ago, there was still debris scattered along island roads, and few businesses are open.

“It’s still recovering, slowly,” said Ronnie Faulkner.

Sorellas Pizza and Pasta is about the only restaurant open for lunch on Ocracoke, and, on this day, Faulkner is the only customer.

He's an island resident whose home, built on pilings, endured Hurricane Dorian with little damage.

As for opening the island to everyone, Faulkner says it will be different.

“I mean, people aren’t gonna have places to go, and things to do, and shop and eat like they’re accustomed to,” said Faulkner.

“Let us heal. Let us go through the holidays,” said Kelley Shinn who lives in a house built in 1913.

Water three feet high rushed in during Dorian.

She and her 13-year-old son, Silas, have since taken refuge at a friend's house.

“You know, he’s been in counseling,” said Shinn.

It's tough on Silas. He lost his dad five years ago in an accident and has lost his home for months to come.

“He hasn’t even been able to come over here since we gutted the house,” said Shinn.

Shinn works as a substitute teacher at the Ocracoke School.

“We’ve had counselors going to the school. They’re all traumatized,” said Shinn.

She had students write and do drawings about their experience.

"I did not get to save my house," reads one. "It's getting ripped apart."

"Home: Lost everything," said another

“To be exposed to the public before you’ve come to a certain point of healing is a dangerous thing,” said Shinn.

The Ocracoke Variety Store is open every day, and on a raw November day, it's bustling.

Pattie Johnson Plyler has lived on Ocracoke for 35 years.

“We are rebuilding. We are resilient,” said Plyler.

“We’ll be back, we’ll be back,” she said.

Last week, the state legislature approved funding to help Ocracoke recover, including $1.7 million for the school and money to help people repair their homes.