Hurricane Earl Update

Information provided by Dare County Government: http://www.darenc.com/EmgyMgmt/Alert/index.asp

Bulletin Number: 4
Date/Time: 9/1/2010 12:05:22 PM
Hurricane Warning Issued for Dare County
A Hurricane Warning has been issued for all of Dare County and the North Carolina Coast from north of Surf City to Virginia, including the Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds.
A hurricane warning indicates that sustained winds of 74 miles per hour or higher are expected in 24 hours or less. Warnings can remain in effect when dangerously high water or waves exist even though winds may be less than hurricane force.
This morning the Dare County Control Group ordered a mandatory evacuation for all Hatteras Island VISITORS. The group of local decision makers issued the order in anticipation of high waves along the oceanfront of Hatteras Island. The evacuation order facilitates visitors leaving Hatteras Island before high seas produce overwash on NC Highway 12 which will impede safe travel.
The evacuation is only for visitors on Hatteras Island and does NOT apply for areas north of Oregon Inlet. The order does NOT include the towns of Duck, Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk, Nags Head, Southern Shores, Roanoke Island or the mainland of Dare County.
The Dare County Control Group will continue to closely monitor the storm’s progress and will assess whether further evacuation orders are necessary.
On nearby Ocracoke Island, Hyde County Emergency Management issued a mandatory evacuation at 5:00am this morning for all visitors and residents of Ocracoke Island.
Dare County Emergency Management urges all residents and visitors to take necessary precautions. Expect high seas, dangerous rip currents and 50 to 60 mile per hour winds as Hurricane Earl passes approximately 80 miles off the Outer Banks early Friday morning.
Protective measures should include securing property including all loose outside objects. In advance of any hurricane, everyone should prepare an emergency kit including nonperishable food, water and clothing to sustain each family member for three days. The kit should also include a flashlight, radio, spare batteries, and medications. Blankets, rain gear and appropriate footwear are also recommended. The kit should include photocopies of important family documents, such as birth certificates and insurance policies. Pet owners are reminded to make sure their animals have an identification tag on their collar.
The National Park Service has announced the closure today of Visitor Centers and Campgrounds. The Ocracoke Visitor Center closed today at 12:00 noon and the Hatteras Island, Bodie Island, Wright Brothers and Fort Raleigh Visitor Centers will close today at 5:00pm. The Ocracoke, Frisco, Cape Point and Oregon Inlet Campgrounds closed today at 12:00 noon. The last climb for the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse will be today at 2:00pm with the lighthouse closing at 3:00pm. By Thursday, expected surf conditions will create unsafe conditions on Seashore beaches and off-road vehicle use will be prohibited until safe conditions allow for this activity.
The town of Kill Devil Hills will not have residential solid waste collection on Friday, September 3. However, there will be town-wide residential collection on Thursday, September 2. Rollout containers should be placed at the road Wednesday night and remember to properly secure the container after it has been serviced on Thursday. Normal collection will resume Monday, September 6.
The Dare County Transportation System has cancelled all scheduled rides for Friday, September 3.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to monitor local news outlets for further advisories from the National Weather Service and state and local emergency management officials. Bulletins will be issued as needed and available at www.darenc.com and on Government Access Channel 20.
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