Do you remember what the first day of school was like when you were a kid? The excitement of reuniting with friends you hadn’t seen in a while? The community of Ocracoke would describe the opening of their brand new school last year with the exact same sense of joy and anticipation.


What You Need To Know

  • Hurricane Dorian tore through Ocracoke Island five years ago in 2019

  • Ocracoke experienced the worst storm surge in recent history, causing most of the island's need to rebuild

  • A new school was reopened in Ocracoke last year

  • This year's graduating class was the second to graduate from the new school

Five years ago, Hurricane Dorian made landfall along the Outer Banks as a Category 1 hurricane, producing wind gusts of nearly 90 mph in Ocracoke. The resulting storm surge was the worst Ocracoke Island had experienced in recent history, causing devastating loss to the community.

Principal Jeanie Owens of Ocracoke School explained that every faculty member except for herself either lost their classroom or their home was damaged or lost, or both, and 50% of the school's students and faculty were displaced.

The hurricane didn’t just tear apart the building itself, but also separated the students right before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to even more challenges for an already wounded community. It took more than a year to get back to any semblance of normalcy.

(Spectrum News1)

When the school reopened, it was on three campuses. Owens described the difficulties that caused when it came to coordinating three different start times as well as dismissal and lunch for the students.

Overcoming tremendous challenges

Students and staff didn’t return to in-person learning until the end of February 2021. During that time, modular classrooms were constructed, and the elementary building underwent significant renovations to prevent future hurricanes from having similar impacts. But finally, the day arrived, and Owens remembers the opening ceremony well. She recalls the large number of people from the community that were there, and how it felt like they had finally "made it." 

(Spectrum News 1)

 A community united

Through neighborly love and support, Ocracoke rebuilt its school and restored its sense of community. Superintendent of Hyde County Schools Melanie Shaver recalls the collective effort that made it possible for students to join together under the same roof once again.

"So many people had their hands as part of the help and as part of the build. Whether it was coming in to help us move things or coming in to help prepare the grounds, so many people were part of that from the community," Shaver said.

Reminders of Hurricane Dorian’s impact still remain in Ocracoke, but the traditions of the past endure. These traditions, coupled with the community's resilience, prepare Ocracoke for the hurricane season ahead and whatever else life throws its way.

The reopening of Ocracoke School marks not just the end of a reconstruction project but the revival of a community’s spirit. It stands as a testament to the strength, resilience and unity of Ocracoke, a community ready to face the future together.

Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.