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 Hurricane Earl Approaches Dare County Thursday Evening

Dare County Emergency Management is closely following the approach of Hurricane Earl. Based upon the latest forecast, the storm will pass approximately 75 miles off the Outer Banks at approximately 3:00 a.m. Friday morning.

Early this evening Hatteras Island will begin feeling the impact of Hurricane Earl’s approach. Throughout the evening weather conditions will progressively deteriorate, first for Hatteras Island, and then for the northern portions of Dare County, until the storm leaves the area around daybreak Friday morning.

Hurricane Earl will produce high seas, ocean overwash, dangerous rip currents, and strong winds. A Hurricane Watch is in effect for all of Dare County and the North Carolina coast. A state of emergency has been issued by the County of Dare, North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue and President Obama.

Evacuation orders are in effect. Complete details are available at www.darenc.com. Access to Dare County is not restricted and bridges leading to the Outer Banks are not scheduled to close unless storm winds become a factor.

There are no Red Cross approved emergency shelters available in Dare County. The closest available shelter is in Bethel, North Carolina. It is located in Pitt County at the North Pitt High School, 5659 NC Highway 11 North.

Town of Duck
Residential trash collection scheduled for Friday, September 3 has been cancelled. Residential trash will be picked up on the next regularly scheduled collection day, which is Monday, September 6. Commercial trash pick-up is not affected.

Town of Kill Devil Hills
Main office and support divisions will operate on a limited schedule Friday, September 3 based on weather conditions and staff availability. Should there be any questions, please call 252-449-5300. Residential solid waste will not be collected on Friday and the Recycle Center will be closed. The Recycle Center is expected to operate on its normal schedule Saturday, September 4, from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Town of Kitty Hawk
The Town of Kitty Hawk today issued a mandatory evacuation for all residents on the Ocean Front. All Ocean Front houses within the Town of Kitty Hawk have been notified about the mandatory ocean front evacuation.

Town of Nags Head
For those staying in the area during the storm, you may lose electricity and water services. Please be prepared. Should travel for public safety personnel become unsafe, then calls for emergency response may be delayed. Sections of South Nags Head could lose water prior to the storm, in addition to after the storm, if conditions warrant. There will be no trash collection in Nags Head on Friday. The regular collection schedule will resume Saturday, weather permitting.

National Park Service Outer Banks Group
All park visitor centers and campgrounds in Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and Wright Brothers National Memorial are closed and will remain closed until further notice. The reservation system for Ocracoke Campground has been temporarily suspended until further notice. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is closed until further notice. All ocean-side beach access for off-road vehicles is closed until after Hurricane Earl passes and a post-storm assessment can be completed.

School Closings
All Dare County Schools will be closed Friday including after-school activities and the After-School Enrichment Program. Makeup days are scheduled for Saturday, September 11, and Friday, October 29.

Other Closings
Court sessions at the Dare County Courthouse are cancelled for tomorrow. Those with cases scheduled Friday will receive a letter from the Court advising of a new date.

All Dare County offices will be closed Friday, September 3.

Dare County Parks and Recreation has cancelled all activities for today, Friday and Saturday.

Baum Senior Center activities are cancelled today. The Center will reopen on Tuesday, September 7 at 8:30 a.m.

The Dare County Transportation System has cancelled all scheduled rides for Friday.

The Dare/Currituck County Child Support Office will be closed on Friday.

Notices

The Dare County Water Department as a precautionary measure before the storm has valved off water service on ocean side streets in Northern Rodanthe including Corbina Drive, Southgate Drive, Beacon Road, East Point Drive, and America Drive. The Hatteras water tank will be valved off at the base of the tower and the Hatteras distribution system will operate off the Buxton elevated storage tank. Once the storm has passed, all valves will be reopened pending repairs of any leaks or breaks.

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.

In order to keep 911 phone lines open for emergency communications, please do not call 911 for general inquiries. 911 should be used only for emergencies.

Helpful Contact Information

Dare County Emergency Management 252-475-5655 or www.darenc.com
NC Ferry Division 1-800-BY-FERRY or www.ncferry.org
Dominion North Carolina Power 1-800-667-3000 or www.dom.com
Cape Hatteras Electric 1-866-511-9862 www.chec.coop
Tideland Electric – 1-800-637-1079 or 1-800-882-1001 www.tidelandemc.com
North Carolina Road Conditions 1-877-DOT-4YOU or www.ncsmartlink.org
North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) 1-877-DOT-4YOU
North Carolina Highway Patrol 1-800-441-6127
Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) 1-800-367-7623

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 Evacuation Orders In Effect for Dare County

The following evacuation orders have been issued by the Dare County Control Group in preparation for coastal flooding and ocean overwash when Hurricane Earl passes the Outer Banks early Friday morning

Mandatory evacuation for All visitors throughout the entire County

Mandatory evacuation for All visitors and residents on Hatteras Island

Mandatory evacuation for South Nags Head residents & visitors –
(South of Whalebone Junction (NC 1243/S. Old Oregon Inlet Road)

Special Advisory – Residents along the oceanfront are advised to relocate due to coastal flooding and ocean overwash

Weather conditions will deteriorate this evening as the storm approaches. There are no emergency shelters available in Dare County. A shelter has been established in Bethel, North Carolina. It is located in Pitt County at the North Pitt High School, 5659 NC Highway 11 North.

A state of emergency has been issued by the County of Dare, North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue and President Obama.

Town of Duck
Residential trash collection scheduled for Friday, September 3 has been cancelled. Residential trash will be picked up on the next regularly scheduled collection day, which is Monday, September 6. Commercial trash pick-up is not affected.

Town of Kill Devil Hills
Residential solid waste will not be collected on Friday.

Town of Nags Head
For those staying in the area during the storm, you may lose electricity and water services. Please be prepared. Should travel for public safety personnel become unsafe, then calls for emergency response may be delayed. Sections of South Nags Head could lose water prior to the storm, in addition to after the storm, if conditions warrant. There will be no trash collection in Nags Head on Friday. The regular collection schedule will resume Saturday, weather permitting.

National Park Service
All park visitor centers and campgrounds in Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and Wright Brothers National Memorial are closed and will remain closed until further notice. The reservation system for Ocracoke Campground has been temporarily suspended until further notice. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is closed until further notice. All ocean-side beach access for off-road vehicles is closed until after Hurricane Earl passes and a post-storm assessment can be completed.

School Closings
All Dare County Schools are closed today and Friday including after-school activities and the After-School Enrichment Program. Makeup days are scheduled for Saturday, September 11, and Friday, October 29.

Other Closings
Court sessions at the Dare County Courthouse are cancelled today and tomorrow. Those with cases scheduled either of those days will receive a letter from the Court advising of a new date.

The Dare County Office on Hatteras Island is closed today.
On Friday, September 3, all Dare County offices will be closed.

Dare County Parks and Recreation has cancelled all activities for today, Friday and Saturday.

The Dare County Transportation System has cancelled all scheduled rides for Friday.

The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island is closed today.

Notices

Dominion Power reports all operating conditions are normal at this time and they have implemented the Hurricane Watch phase of their Hurricane Prepardness Plan.

All loose outside objects should be secured as part of storm preparation and evacuation procedures. Other recommended steps include assembling an emergency kit with nonperishable food, water and clothing to sustain each family member for three days.

Household emergency kits should also include a flashlight, radio, spare batteries, medications, blankets and rain gear. Also recommended are 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.

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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 Evacuation Order Expanded for Dare County

The Dare County Control Group has issued a mandatory evacuation for all visitors throughout the entire County effective 6:00 am Thursday, September 2. The evacuation ordered yesterday for visitors and residents on Hatteras Island remains in effect. In addition, residents along the oceanfront are advised to relocate due to coastal flooding and ocean overwash that will occur.

Hurricane force winds are expected during the early morning hours Friday as the storm passes approximately 70 miles off the Outer Banks. Weather conditions will deteriorate this evening as the storm approaches.

Dare County and the North Carolina coast is under a Hurricane Warning, which indicates that sustained winds of 74 miles per hour or higher are expected within 24 hours.

Town of Nags Head
The Town of Nags Head has issued a mandatory evacuation for residents and visitors in South Nags Head, which includes the area south of Whalebone Junction, NC1243/S. Old Oregon Inlet Road.

School Closings
All Dare County Schools will be closed today and Friday along with all after-school activities including the After-School Enrichment Program. Makeup days are scheduled for Saturday, September 11, and Friday, October 29.

Court Sessions Closed
Court sessions at the Dare County Courthouse are cancelled for today and Friday. Those with cases scheduled for either of these days will receive a letter from the Court advising of a new date.

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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 Mandatory Evacuation for Residents and Visitors of Hatteras island

Dare County has announced a mandatory evacuation for all residents and visitors on Hatteras Island effective at 6:00pm Wednesday, September 1. The latest storm track has shifted Hurricane Earl to the west putting hurricane force winds over Hatteras Island early Friday morning.

The evacuation order for both residents and visitors of Hatteras Island does NOT apply for areas north of Oregon Inlet. At this time, the order does NOT include the towns of Duck, Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk, Nags Head, Southern Shores, Roanoke Island or mainland Dare County.

As Dare County Emergency Management closely monitors the storm, residents and visitors should be prepared for the possibility of additional evacuations that may be needed tomorrow for mainland and northern portions of Dare County.

A Hurricane Warning was issued today by the National Hurricane Center for all of Dare County and the North Carolina Coast. A Hurricane Warning indicates that sustained winds of 74 miles per hour or higher are expected within 24 hours.

Dare County Emergency Management advises preparing for the storm by securing all loose outside objects. Other recommended preparation steps include assembling an emergency kit with nonperishable food, water and clothing to sustain each family member for three days.

Household emergency kits should also include a flashlight, radio, spare batteries, medications, blankets and rain gear. Also recommended are 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.

Today Governor Bev Perdue declared a State of Emergency for North Carolina in advance of the arrival of Hurricane Earl. The Governor’s order calls for all state and local agencies to cooperate in the implementation of provisions of the North Carolina Emergency Operations Plan. North Carolina is running extra ferry routes from Ocracoke Island and established an emergency shelter in Pitt County at North Pitt High School at 5659 NC Highway 11 North in Bethel, North Carolina.

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.

All Dare County Schools will be closed on Thursday, September 2 and Friday, September 3. Makeup days are scheduled for Saturday, September 11, and Friday, October 29. All after-school activities are cancelled for Thursday and Friday, including the After-School Enrichment Program

Court sessions at the Dare County Courthouse are cancelled for Thursday and Friday. Those with cases scheduled for either of those days will receive a letter from the Court advising of a new date.

Dare County Parks and Recreation has cancelled all activities for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The National Park Service today closed their Visitor Centers, Campgrounds and the Hatteras Lighthouse until further notice. Ocean-side beach access for off-road vehicles in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore closed at 5:00pm today. Severe coastal storm surge flooding is expected beginning on Thursday. If conditions permit, pedestrian access is allowed.

The Town of Duck’s residential trash collection scheduled for Friday, September 3 has been cancelled. Residential trash will be picked up on the next regularly scheduled collection day which is Monday, September 6. Commercial trash pick-up is not affected.

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 Town of Nags Head advises all residents and visitors staying on or off of South Old Oregon Inlet Road in South Nags Head to closely monitor the news and weather. It is expected that this area will experience ocean overwash and you should be prepared to leave your home if conditions warrant or if an evacuation is called.

As part of readiness precautions being taken by the Dare County Social Services Department, contact is being made with Hatteras Island residents on the special needs list.

All scheduled rides through the Dare County Transportation System have been cancelled 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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 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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 Evacuation Order Issued for Visitors on Hatteras Island

A mandatory evacuation has been issued for all Hatteras Island VISITORS effective immediately. The Dare County Control Group met this morning to assess the storm and 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.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect 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 watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the next 36 hours.

Dare County Emergency Management is closely monitoring the progress of Hurricane Earl and urges all residents and visitors to take necessary precautions for possible hurricane force winds as the storm is expected to pass approximately 80 miles off the Outer Banks early Friday morning.

The National Park Service has announced the closure today of Visitor Centers and Campgrounds. The Ocracoke Visitor Center will close 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 are scheduled to close 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.
Protective measures should be taken to secure property. Everyone should complete preparation activities, such as storing 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.

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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 RELEASE: Hurricane Watch Issued for the North Carolina Coast, Bulletin #2

The National Hurricane Center has issued a Hurricane Watch for Dare County and all of the North Carolina Coast from north of Surf City to the Virginia border. A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the next 36 hours.

Dare County Emergency Management is closely monitoring the progress of Hurricane Earl and urges all residents and visitors to take necessary precautions for possible hurricane force winds as the storm is expected to pass approximately 100 miles off the Outer Banks early Friday morning.

As early as Wednesday, the storm will generate rough seas with a high risk of dangerous rip currents. There is also the potential for serious ocean over-wash in the southern portions of Dare County from Rodanthe to Hatteras Village, which is expected to affect travel on NC Highway 12 south of Oregon Inlet.

The North Carolina Emergency Management Office has established a command center to track the storm and mobilize any necessary resources. The Highway Patrol is moving personnel into regionally staged areas and NCDOT has staged equipment in readiness.

Dominion Power is following their Hurricane Preparedness Plan and has implemented a Storm Alert phase with normal operating conditions at this time. The Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative has initiated preliminary actions to prepare for possible problems related to Hurricane Earl.

The National Park Service has announced the upcoming closure of Visitor Centers and Campgrounds. The Ocracoke Visitor Center will close Wednesday at 12:00 noon and the Hatteras Island, Bodie Island, Wright Brothers and Fort Raleigh Visitor Centers will close at 5:00pm Wednesday. The Ocracoke, Frisco, Cape Point and Oregon Inlet Campgrounds are scheduled to close at 12:00 noon Wednesday. The last climb for the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse will be Wednesday 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 is reviewing their Emergency Preparedness Plan with the Police, Fire, Finance, Administrative, and Public Services Departments all making initial preparations for Hurricane Earl.

The Town of Nags Head is closely watching Hurricane Earl and making initial preparations. Those staying along the oceanfront are requested to closely monitor the storm due to the expected high surf and relocate vehicles to higher ground.

The Dare County Planning Department reminds contractors to prepare their job sites for hazardous weather by securing loose materials. All residents and visitors are urged to take the same precautionary step along with other storm preparation measures outlined on www.darenc.com.

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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 Dare County Control Group Meets To Assess Hurricane Earl

The Dare County Control Group met Tuesday morning to assess updated information from the National Weather Service about Hurricane Earl. The group of local decision makers assessed the storm’s path currently projected to remain approximately 100 miles off the Outer Banks.

Even with the storm offshore, Earl could produce gale force winds and high surf conditions Wednesday through Friday. There is also the potential for serious ocean over-wash in the southern portions of Dare County from Rodanthe to Hatteras Village.

Emergency plans are in place to handle whatever contingency may arise. The North Carolina Emergency Management Office has established a command center to track the storm and mobilize any necessary resources. The Highway Patrol is moving personnel into regionally staged areas and NCDOT has staged equipment in readiness. The Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative has initiated preliminary actions to prepare for possible problems related to Hurricane Earl.

The Dare County Control Group encourages residents and visitors to monitor local news outlets for further advisories from the National Weather Service and state and local emergency management officials.

No new reentry permits have been issued this year. All previously issued 2008/2009 reentry permits are valid and may be used. Dare County residents may also use a N.C. driver’s license or a current Dare County tax receipt with valid identification for reentry.

Dare County Emergency Management is closely monitoring the progress of Hurricane Earl and the Emergency Control Group will meet Wednesday morning to further assess the storm and take whatever action is necessary to assure public safety. Bulletins will be issued as needed and available at www.darenc.com and on Government Access Channel 20.

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