October 13, 2016 4:00 p.m.
There is currently unrestricted access to all areas of Dare County north of Oregon Inlet and for the Hatteras Island villages of Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, and Buxton. Beginning Friday, October 14 at 7 a.m. access restrictions will be lifted for Frisco. Beginning Saturday, October 15 at 7 a.m. access restrictions will be lifted for all areas of Dare County, including Hatteras Village.
It is important for visitors to check with their rental company or accommodations provider to confirm reservations before traveling to the area since some properties were impacted and require repairs. Also, please be mindful that many residents and businesses of the island have suffered significant impacts and are in the process of recovering so your patience and understanding is truly appreciated.
For updated information regarding access to Ocracoke Island, visit hydecountync.gov.
National Park Service
The National Park Service reports that the Frisco Campground will open at 7:00 am on Friday, October 14, 2016.
Dare County Schools
Cape Hatteras Schools only will operate on a 2-hour delay on Friday, October 14.
Dominion North Carolina Power
Dominion North Carolina Power continues to work on restoration of power in the area. Dare County had 24,750 customers affected by Hurricane Matthew in the Dominion territory. We still have 117 customers out. Some of these are in areas that are still flooded and we are unable to restore service at this time. We will communicate with those customers that are in areas waiting for the water to recede. Thank you for your patience in this trying time.
Town of Southern Shores
The projected start date for the Town’s FEMA debris collection contractor is Monday, October 24th. Property owners with debris generated as a direct result of Hurricane Matthew should place the debris in the right-of-way of a public street closest to the point of generation. To the extent possible, keep debris off the pavement and on the shoulder of the public street. As this is a FEMA regulated pick-up, debris may not be picked up from a private street, lane, or parking lot. Storm-generated debris from any property located on a private street must be transported to the right-of-way of a public street to guarantee pick-up. This applies to private streets, lanes, and parking lots owned by a homeowners association.
Debris must be placed in separate piles according to type:
- Vegetative debris (consists of tree parts, limbs, branches, leaves, etc.) DO NOT BAG LEAVES
- Construction and Demolition debris (consist of shingles, siding, boards, wallboard, destroyed/flooded furniture, etc.)
- White goods (destroyed/flooded appliances)
Town, County, and State officials continue to be aware of the flooded streets, including NC Highway 12, in Southern Shores, as well as flooded streets and roads in all parts of Dare County and other Towns. Due to high rain fall and high water table at the time of the storm, the large areas of standing water will most likely continue to slowly recede and dissipate. Caution and slow speed is urged when driving through standing water.
The Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) rule 7H.2500 emergency permit has been activated for replacement of structures in the estuarine system (piers, bulkheads, etc), reconstruction of dune systems, and maintenance dredging within man-made canals/ditches filled in by Hurricane Matthew. Emergency permits may only be issued by the NC Division of Coastal Management Office in Elizabeth City by contacting 252-264-3901.
If a structure is considered imminently threatened, a property owner may obtain an exemption approval for beach bulldozing or importing sand from the Town’s Local Permit Officer (LPO), (252) 261-2394, ext. 4)
Rescheduled Flu Clinic
The Flu Clinic that was canceled at the Baum Center on Tuesday, October 11, 2016 has been rescheduled for Thursday, October 20, 2016 from 8:30 AM- 12:30 PM.
Notice to Private Well Owners in Dare County
If flooding has occurred around your well, Dare County Department of Health & Human Services recommends that you have your water tested. Until tests on samples indicate water is safe, please use the following precautions:
- Boil water for at least five minutes at a full rolling boil before drinking, cooking, making ice or using for hygiene purposes (such as bathing, brushing teeth, etc).
- Infants under six months and pregnant women should not drink boiled water, because boiled water could concentrate harmful nitrates. It is recommended these individuals drink bottled water, if unavailable, boiled water is preferred over untreated drinking water sources.
Continue these precautions until results on samples taken since the flooding show the water is safe. Private well users should contact the Dare County Department of Health & Human Services’ Public Health Division for more information at 252.475.5003 or 252.475.5080.
Debris Collection for Unincorporated Areas of Dare County
Dare County Emergency Management and Public Works are working with contractors to establish the schedule for storm debris collection and prioritizing debris removal based on areas that can be safely accessed. A schedule for debris removal will be announced as soon as available.
For now, residents of impacted areas that can safely do so, are asked to place any storm-generated debris on the public right-of-way. The public right-of-way is the area of residential property that extends from the street to the easement, ditch, utility pole or sidewalk. Residents should separate the debris as follows:
- VEGETATIVE DEBRIS (whole trees, tree stumps, tree branches, tree trunks and other leafy material)
- CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION DEBRIS (damaged components of buildings and structures such lumber and wood, wall board, glass, metal, roofing materials, tile, furnishings, and fixtures)
- HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE (materials that are ignitable, reactive, toxic or corrosive such as paints, cleaners, pesticides, etc.)
- WHITE GOODS (refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, heat pumps, ovens, ranges, washing machines, clothes dryers and water heaters)
- ELECTRONIC WASTE (computers, televisions, office electronic equipment, etc.)
Only loose debris will be collected, bagged debris should not be placed on the public right-of-way.
Do not place debris near a water meter vault, fire hydrant or any other above-ground utility. Only debris placed on the public right-of-way will be eligible for collection until further notice.
The County contractors will make multiple passes through the impacted areas. If residents cannot safely set out debris at this time, or if contractors cannot safely enter impacted areas, additional debris removal passes will be scheduled. The County urges all residents to make personal safety a top priority, and only set out debris if it is safe to do so at this time.
FEMA Information
Dare County is working with the State of North Carolina to provide information to ensure that everything is in place to pursue FEMA disaster assistance for individuals who have suffered loss. Even though eligibility for individual assistance has not been determined for Dare County, you may go ahead and complete a FEMA application to speed up the process once eligibility for assistance is determined. For information on FEMA programs and to apply online visithttps://www.disasterassistance.gov/
Documentation for Past Travel Restrictions
Visitors to Dare County and the Currituck Outer Banks requesting documentation of past travel restrictions for insurance purposes may visit www.darenc.com/hurricanematthew to download necessary documents. Documents will be updated as travel restrictions are lifted.
Updated Information
Bulletins will continue to be issued as needed by Dare County Emergency Management. From this point forward, each of the agencies participating in the Joint Information Center will release their information independently.
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