Hyde County Emergency Services Department
www.hydecountync.gov
1223 Main St., PO Box
Swan Quarter NC 27885
(252) 926-4372 - Office
(252) 926-3901 - Fax
David Smitherman, Interim County Manager
Public Advisory #2
Date: Tuesday, August 31, 2010, 8:30 pm
Event: Hurricane Earl
Media Contact: Jamie Tunnell, jamietunnell@gmail.com, 252-925-0058
A state of emergency has been declared for Hyde County effective 9 PM today. A mandatory evacuation has been issued for all visitors and residents of Ocracoke beginning at 5 AM on Wednesday, September 1.
The NC Ferry system will be on a first-come, first –serve basis for all vehicles open to Hatteras, Swan Quarter, and Cedar Island pending road conditions in those receiving counties. Schedules and toll collections are suspended during the evacuation order.
Emergency services, government agencies, commercial vendors delivering essential groceries and supplies, and permanent residential traffic as indicated by purple and green stickers will be allowed on the island via air and marine traffic. The State Highway Patrol may restrict access without appropriate credentials.
Before leaving, residents and guests in this area should take precautions such as moving cars and equipment to higher ground. Please pick up potential debris that could become unsecure during the storm.
People with medical needs and unique situations are urged to consider their options. Hyde County public safety services will cease after winds reach 50 mph sustained.
Those seeking shelter may travel to North Pitt High School, 5659 N. Highway 11, Bethel, NC. This shelter will be open at 9 am on Wednesday, September 1.
This is the only information available at this time. Please tune in to local radio 90.1 FM on the island, the National Weather Service, and local television reports.
As seen in the past, hurricanes are unpredictable and can change with little notice. Residents and visitors need to remain vigilant and not let your guard down.
Hyde County Emergency Services continues to review the latest weather forecasts, is coordinating with the State and nearby counties, and advising citizens on possible actions to protect themselves and their property. Further updates will be issued after the 6 pm meeting.
Please make yourselves aware of the state ferry system’s schedule and road conditions before making travel plans during this time and after the storm has passed.
Storm Basis Preparation Initial Checklist:
* Check First Aid Kits/ Fire Extinguishers
* Obtain medicine and prescriptions
* Check and fuel vehicles and generators
* Obtain cash
* Make pet arrangements
* Pick up loose items around the yard
* Protect vulnerable portions of property
* Obtain non-perishable food and water for 3+ days (5+ recommended for Ocracoke)
* Obtain baby need or personal need items
* Check battery powered electronics and generators
* Assemble valuables and documents that cannot be replaced easily
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Philip, while Earl has altered my plans to visit Ocracoke (starting Wednesday!), the point is driven home that residents are impacted by storms much more than visitors. We'll all hope and pray for a storm passage with minimal or no damage. I'll be on Ocracoke as soon as possible afterward and you have a standing invitation to sit on my rental pizer for some home-made ice cream and cheesecake!Stay safe. Bill in Winston
ReplyDeletePhilip,
ReplyDeleteWe are praying for no damage from Earl. Our best wishes to all of you. Stay safe.
Don and Mandy
Praying for you, Jude and everyone!
ReplyDeleteTony and Debbie
Holman Pottery
Philip - my thoughts & prayers go out to all the locals on the island. I pray all will be safe. I don't live there but I feel as it is home. Which I hope will be one day soon. I have tried to listen to the island radio on the computer but it is not on. Do you know when or if it will be available again. Thanks & keep us up on the going ons. God Bless! Terrie in Walkertown NC
ReplyDeleteI forgot to say thanks for keeping us up on the emergency plans. It is good to know what is going on. When we are in the mainland worried about our island people. Thanks again, Terrie
ReplyDeleteBe safe, all! We are thinking of you...Jack, Celeste, Katie, and Kelli up in Williamsburg, Va.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you and everyone on Ocracoke. We're preparing up here on the Connecitcut coast also. With luck we will all be fine. We'll be watching closely and hoping that we can still continue with our plans to come to the island next week.
ReplyDeleteCarol and Pete in Old Saybrook, CT
Maybe "Earl" will be a good old boy and not do much, if any, damage to "our" charming Ocracoke Island.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Philip, for this personal blog, which keeps us mainlanders informed. You are the "only" reporter on the island. Great job!
Batten down those hatches now.
My prayers are with all there. Hold on tightly and please stay extra safe until Earl moves on.
Godspeed Ocracoke!
ReplyDeleteSilver Lake Harbor webcam shows the water glass-flat this morning. Hopefully that's the roughest things get in the coming days. Best wishes.
ReplyDeleteYes, isn't it gorgeous! I took my "daily" look @ Silver Lake Harbor webcam this a.m....one of many looks to come! So peaceful and serene. I guess it's the "calm before Earl", but hopefully, it'll be only a glancing blow and we can send this ole boy far, far away!
ReplyDeleteWe are thinking of everyone on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands. Our prayers are with you, maybe our collective energy will keep Earl over the Atlantic.
ReplyDeleteHow many residents typically ride out the storm as opposed to evacuating? I'm praying Earl just churns up the waves, bring a little beneficial rain, but otherwise leaves the Outer Banks alone :)
ReplyDelete