Sunday, October 28, 2012

Advisory 3

Hurricane Sandy Public Advisory 3
October 28, 2012
As of 1 p.m.

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.
Please tune in to local radio WOVV 90.1 FM on Ocracoke Island, or via the internet at WOVV.org, or check the Hyde County Public Information Facebook page for updates.

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