Hurricane Sandy

Hurricane Sandy Public Advisory October 27, 2012 As of 4 p.m.

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, Hyde County Emergency Services has suspended ground transport of Emergency Medical Services. Unsafe travel conditions and ocean over wash on NC Highway 12/Irvin Garrish Highway on the northern end of Ocracoke Island warranted staffers at the Emergency Operations Center to make the decision. The Ocracoke Deputy EOC was activated at 8 a.m. this morning. Travelers should be aware the N.C. Ferry Division has suspended service on all routes. There is no transportation on or off Ocracoke Island at this time. There has been no evacuation order issued and Hyde County does not anticipate issuing evacuation orders at this time. The updated track of Hurricane Sandy shows the system will remain a hurricane. Although it is not expected to make landfall in North Carolina, it is predicted to pass close enough - approximately 170 miles at its closest point to Ocracoke - to present hazardous conditions for people and property. The National Weather Service has predicted sustained winds of 39+ MPH to begin at 2 p.m. today for Ocracoke. As of 3 p.m., winds in Ocracoke village were out of the northeast, clocked at approximately 25 mph with higher gusts. By early Sunday morning, Ocracoke Island and Engelhard will likely be exposed to 45+ MPH sustained winds that will continue through early Tuesday morning, with gusts of 60-70 mph.  Sustained winds of 30-40 mph are forecasted for other areas of mainland Hyde County, with gusts of 40-50 mph. The townships of Ocracoke and Engelhard should take additional precautions when the system is closest, which is predicted to be 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday.  An estimated 4-6 inches of rainfall is predicted for the mainland and up to 8 inches will likely fall in Ocracoke over the next five days, localized amounts may exceed these predictions. Coastal flooding remains a serious concern for Ocracoke, with a forecasted storm surge of 1-3 feet above the ground on the ocean side and a sound side storm surge of 3-5 feet above the ground; this is less of a concern for Mainland Hyde, which is projected to receive less than one foot of surge above the ground. Wave heights of 2-5 feet are forecasted in the Pamlico Sound and seas will build to 8-12 feet along the beaches. Storm surge will be higher during periods of high tide, which will occur at around 6 AM and 6 PM. Astronomical high tides due to lunar phases are not anticipated to pose any additional threat. As of high tide this morning, the waves reached the toe of the dune line along Ocracoke beaches. Evidence of ocean over wash is already apparent on the northern end of the island.  The National Park Service will close beaches close at 5 p.m. today, as well as the Visitor's Center and permit offices. The National Park Service Campground closed at noon. If winds exceed 50 mph, Hyde County Emergency Operations will cease. Hyde officials declared a State of Emergency as of 2 p.m. Friday, October 26 2012. This declaration places all county staff in a state of readiness and enables Hyde County to receive assistance from the State Office of Emergency Management should it be required. The declaration does not prohibit the sale of alcohol. 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.