Action 9

Action 9: Vacationers hope for refunds amidst Outer Banks power outage

Thousands of people's vacation plans appear ruined.

The power outage at the Outer Banks may not be fixed for days or even weeks.  No visitors are allowed on Ocracoke Island.  Vacationers are allowed on Hatteras Island, but may have experience rolling blackouts.

[RELATED: Outer Banks island visitors told to leave after power outage]

Carole Nelson's parents wanted their ashes buried at sea.

"My father passed away 13 years ago and my mom passed away two years ago," she said. "They wanted to be put in the ocean together."

She spent months planning the trip to the Outer Banks with relatives coming from all over.

"To get everybody scheduled together, it's been a challenge," said her husband, John Nelson.

They're among thousands wondering if they can get refunds.

Better Business Bureau President Tom Bartholomy said the answer to that questions depends on their lease. Those who rented on Hatteras -- which doesn't have mandatory evacuations -- may not be entitled a refund.

But those who rented on Ocracoke -- which does -- might get their money back.

"Where people might be able to hang their hat is that there is a mandatory evacuation, that they don't have any choice," he said.

The Nelsons' plans are for Hatteras.

"If we don't go, they're going to say, 'You could have gone,' and we're going to lose out on our money," Carole said.

Attorney General Josh Stein said those who bought travel insurance through the landlord, should get their money back.

But Bartholomy said if people bought it on their own, they may not.

"Most trip insurance coverages that I see are thick with exclusions," Bartholomy said.

The Nelsons bought insurance, but don't think it'll help, so they're going, but feel more for others, such as wedding couples and businesses on the islands that count on these weeks.

"You've got to feel for those people too because we're inconvenienced, may not be able to go, but they may not be able to survive this," John said.

It may be hard to get answers right away because, like so many other places at the Outer Banks, some rental offices and the visitors center aren't open.

Those with AAA or American Express, for example, may actually have some coverage they didn't even know about.