HATTERAS ISLAND, N.C. (WAVY) — At the Marc Basnight Bridge over Oregon Inlet, Ty Brown was the first in line waiting to cross over to Hatteras Island.

But no traffic was moving, as the bridge was blocked off as massive cleanup on Pea Island stopped passage to places south, and NC 12 on Hatteras Island didn't open until 5 p.m.

“We knew it had been coming," Brown said. "We’ve been watching. We had three storms the last three weeks. They haven’t been able to build back up to protect the road. That is the deal of living here. You know, it is not the best, but I don't know what to say. I mean we knew it was coming.”

There is not the usual guard on duty making sure only those authorized get through, because drivers know what awaits on the other side of what leads to Pea Island.

Brown did not

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