Hurricane Florence - Press Release #5

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Release #5: Hurricane Florence Mandatory Evacuation for all of Hyde County

Effective at 12:00 pm, Tuesday, September 11, the Hyde County Board of Commissioners have extended the mandatory evacuation order to encompass all of Hyde County, mainland and island. There are no travel restrictions on the mainland at this time. We strongly encourage all residents to evacuate to safety. This storm is extremely dangerous and should be treated as such.

The designated evacuation shelter for Hyde County residents is Knightdale High School, 100 Bryan Chalk Ln, Knightdale, NC 27545. This shelter is open to all Hyde County residents that wish to utilize it. The shelter will open on Tuesday, September 11 at 2:00 pm. The shelter is pet friendly and equipped to handle animals.

We are currently looking for certified bus drivers to help with the evacuation of citizens to the shelter. If you can assist or know someone that can, please contact the EOC at 252-926-3715.

The evacuation of Ocracoke residents and visitors will continue today, with all ferries currently running their regularly scheduled routes. Entry to Ocracoke is restricted to authorized personnel only.

 
Ocracoke entry priorities are as follows:

1) Emergency Personnel and Equipment
2) NCDOT Highway and Power Company Personnel and Equipment
3) Sanitation Personnel and Equipment
4) Mail and Parcel Delivery
5) Commodities and Fuel Vendors until ferry operations cease

Current storm surge models are showing anywhere from 1-9 feet of surge depending on where you are located in the county, increasing from east to west. See picture below for a reference.

County offices will close at noon, Wednesday, September 12. All alcohol sales will be suspended on the mainland at 5:00 pm Wednesday, September 12.

For those without a means to travel to safety, Hyde County is planning to offer transportation and more information will be forthcoming. Officials are finalizing these plans and hope to release more details by Tuesday afternoon. If you have any questions regarding the evacuation, shelter or have any other special needs, please contact the Hyde County Emergency Operations Center at 252-926-3715.

Hyde County, NC Press Release: September 11, 2018 12:00pm Donnie Shumate  Public Information Officer dshumate@hydecountync.gov (252) 542-0083