New OBX island was expected to eventually disappear, but not like this

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- North Carolina’s new island may not be an island much longer.

The 50-yard channel that separated Shelly Island from Hatteras Island is filling in so quickly with sand that it’s now only inches deep at low tide, and getting more shallow by the day, federal officials said.

Just a few weeks ago, visitors had to swim to the island in waters that got more than 6 feet deep at high tide. In the past week, they’ve begun walking without getting their ankles wet.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore Superintendent Dave Hallac said Hatteras Island and Shelly Island are now connected at low tide, and he said it’s possible the channel of water will fill in completely.

Read more: https://pilotonline.com/news/local/new-obx-island-was-expected-to-eventually-disappear-but-not/article_06ffe39e-b3f8-5836-aaa1-13555e959458.html