Ocracoke Island is currently
experiencing extreme sound side flooding, with some areas presently inundated
with more than 18 inches of water. Several homes and businesses are threatened
at this point. With an anticipated 45 hours left in the weather event, Hyde
County Deputy Emergency Operation Center is active and resources are staged to
respond to hazardous conditions and emergencies related to Hurricane Sandy.
As of the 11 p.m. advisory from
the National Hurricane Center, the forecast track has been slightly shifted to
the east and Sandy continues to move northeast at 14 mph. The eye of Sandy will
pass about 230 miles away from Hyde County at its closest point.
The National Weather Service has
upped the storm surge forecast to 4-7 feet above ground on the sound side of
Ocracoke Island, with peak surge times to take place at the next high tide cycle
on Monday morning. Ocean storm surge is predicted to be 2-4 feet above ground.
Minor storm surges are projected for mainland Hyde County.
High tides for today are 7 a.m.
and 7 p.m. and 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. tomorrow.
Winds are not forecasted to let
up over the next 24 hours, but they will slowly change to a northwesterly and
westerly direction. Currently, sustained winds are projected at 40-55 mph for
Ocracoke and Engelhard, with gusts up to 50-70 mph. Other areas of the mainland
are seeing winds of 25-35 mph, gusting 40-55 mph. Rainfall accumulations are
expected to be 1.25 to 4 inches on Ocracoke and .75 to 3 inches on the Mainland
over the next five days.
Impacts are expected to decrease
tomorrow afternoon into tomorrow night as the system pulls out of the area on
Tuesday morning.
Ground service for Emergency
Medical Service remains suspended, however resources are in place should
citizens have acute medical needs. On Ocracoke, persons needing medical
attention are directed to call 911 and will be asked to provide their own
transportation to the EMS Station for on site treatment.
Transportation is extremely
limited on the island. NC 12 / Irvin Garrish Highway is flooded with 18-24
inches of water in the village and at least 2 inches of moving water on the
highway north of the village.
All ferry routes have been
suspended, as of 2 p.m. Saturday.
Reports from Dare County indicate
transportation on NC 12 on Hatteras Island has been compromised due to ocean
over wash at several points on the road and the highway has been closed from the
Oregon Inlet Bridge to Rodanthe.
Parts of Ocracoke village lost
power this morning from 7 to 8:30 a.m. Tideland EMC has an unconfirmed report of
a power pole down in the water. As a result, service may be suspended for
repairs. Tideland has assured they will activate the generator on the island
should service be interrupted.
Hot meals are available for
purchase at Ocracoke Station and Topless Oyster.
Reports from mainland Hyde
indicate little or no damage.
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