OBX residents should prepare for Earl

CURRITUCK, N.C. (WAVY) -  

CURRITUCK COUNTY:

Residents and visitors in Currituck County should be prepared for Hurricane Earl by Thursday.

According to the current forecast by the National Weather Service, the Outer Banks should begin to experience sustained winds of at least 39 mph by 11 p.m. on Thursday. These sustained winds are expected to affect Currituck County until approximately 9 a.m. on Friday, Sept 3.

Currituck Emergency Management is coordinating with the National Weather Service, Dare County, N.C. and neighboring cities in Virginia as storm preparations continue. At this time, no evacuation of Currituck County has been issued, but citizens are urged to monitor the storm's progress and be prepared in case an evacuation is deemed necessary.

Residents and vacationers in the Carova Beach 4-wheel drive area are advised that Hurricane Earl may result in high surf, storm surge and beach erosion that could render the beach road impassable. Localized flooding along N.C. 12 may also occur.

Citizens should prepare safety kits that include water, food, flashlights, batteries, radio, cash, clothing, medicines and pet supplies to last at least three days. Citizens should fuel motor vehicles ahead of time and be aware of evacuation routes out of Currituck County .

Updates on Hurricane Earl and local conditions can be found online at www.CurrituckGovernment.com and by calling the Emergency Management information hotline at 252-232-6010. For storm readiness and evacuation information, contact Currituck Emergency Management at 252-232-2115.

DARE COUNTY:

The Dare County Control Group met to assess updated information from the National Weather Service about Hurricane Earl. The group of local decision makers assessed the storm’s path currently projected to remain approximately 100 miles off the Outer Banks.

Even with the storm offshore, Earl could produce gale force winds and high surf conditions Wednesday through Friday. There is also the potential for serious ocean over-wash in the southern portions of Dare County from Rodanthe to Hatteras Village.

Emergency plans are in place to handle whatever contingency may arise. The North Carolina Emergency Management Office has established a command center to track the storm and mobilize any necessary resources. The Highway Patrol is moving personnel into regionally staged areas and NCDOT has staged equipment in readiness. The Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative has initiated preliminary actions to prepare for possible problems related to Hurricane Earl.

The Dare County Control Group encourages residents and visitors to monitor local news outlets for further advisories from the National Weather Service and state and local emergency management officials.

No new reentry permits have been issued this year. All previously issued 2008/2009 reentry permits are valid and may be used. Dare County residents may also use a N.C. driver’s license or a current Dare County tax receipt with valid identification for reentry.

Dare County Emergency Management is closely monitoring the progress of Hurricane Earl and the Emergency Control Group will meet Wednesday morning to further assess the storm and take whatever action is necessary to assure public safety. Bulletins will be issued as needed and available at www.darenc.com and on Government Access Channel 20.