DARE COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Joint Information Center
Phone: 252-475-5655 Web: www.darecountyem.com Twitter: @DareCoEM
July 3, 2014 10:00 a.m.
Mandatory Evacuation is Underway for Hatteras Island
Dare County Emergency Management urges all Hatteras Island residents and visitors to take the threat of Hurricane Arthur seriously and evacuate because of the threat of high winds, ocean overwash, and soundside flooding.
The National Weather Service predicts sustained winds of 80 to 85 mph with gusts as high as 105 mph. There is the potential for significant soundside flooding, particularly in Buxton, Frisco, Hatteras Village, and areas adjacent to the Pamlico Sound. The Weather Service predicts significant ocean overwash posing a serious threat to oceanfront areas especially in the Villages of Avon, Buxton, Frisco, and Hatteras.
The mandatory Hatteras Island evacuation includes the Villages of Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, and Hatteras. A State of Emergency has been issued for all of Dare County with the only restriction being the mandatory evacuation of Hatteras Island. During this time access to Hatteras Island is not allowed.
Those evacuating to areas north of Dare County are encouraged to travel westbound on Highway 64 to Interstate 95. Evacuating through the rural areas to the west of Dare County will help avoid traffic backups and congestion that may prolong evacuation by traveling northbound on Route 158/168 through the Hampton Roads portion of Virginia.
Conditions are expected to worsen as the storm approaches making it important that Hatteras Island residents and visitors evacuate as expediently as possible today during daylight hours. Visitors should evacuate with all personal belongings and follow instructions offered by their property management company.
Those who do not heed the evacuation order should be prepared to sustain themselves for at least 72 hours. Be aware that emergency personnel may be unable to respond to calls for help during high winds. During and after the storm there is the risk of impassable roads due to soundside flooding and ocean overwash. And, access to essential goods and services may be disrupted. There are no Red Cross approved shelters in Dare County.
The mandatory evacuation of Hatteras Island does not include the areas of Dare County north of Oregon Inlet, which encompasses the towns of Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, and Manteo, as well as Colington, Martin’s Point, Wanchese, East Lake, and Stumpy Point.
WATER SERVICE
The Dare County Water Department advises that water service North of the Mac Midgett Water Plant in Rodanthe may experience temporary outages this evening during peak wind periods likely after midnight due to potential ocean overwash in the northern Rodanthe area.
DARE COUNTY TRASH PICKUP
All scheduled trash collection for Friday, July 4th has been cancelled. These areas will be picked up on Saturday, July 5th, weather permitting: Kitty Hawk (beach road), Southern Shores, Manteo, Wanchese, East Lake, Manns Harbor, and Stumpy Point. Rodanthe, Salvo, Waves and Avon will be collected as well on Saturday July 5th pending road conditions. The Buxton Transfer Station will be closing immediately and closed on Friday July 4th as well.
FIREWORKS CELEBRATIONS
The July 4th fireworks celebrations scheduled for Avon, Kill Devil Hills, Manteo, and Nags Head have all been rescheduled.
PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORIES
The Dare County Department of Health & Human Services is issuing public health advisories prior to Hurricane Arthur. In order to protect your health, it is important that you follow these public health guidelines:
If Flooding Occurs:
- Avoid contact with flood water which may contain fecal material from overflowing sewage systems and other hidden hazards such as debris.
- Do not walk in or play in flooded areas especially in bare feet or flimsy footwear. You may be at risk for possible infection or injury from flood waters. If you do come into contact with flood water, wash exposed skin thoroughly with soap and safe water.
- Do not allow children to play in flood water areas, wash children’s hands frequently, and do not allow children to play with flood-water contaminated toys that have not been disinfected.
If Food Becomes Exposed to Flood Waters:
- Do not eat any food that may have come into contact with flood water.
- Discard any food that is not in a waterproof container if there is any chance that it has come into contact with flood water.
If Power Loss Occurs:
- Refrigerators will keep foods appropriately cold for about 4 hours without power if it is unopened.
- Do not open freezers until you plan to use or discard the contents; as stated above, most freezers will keep food safe for 24 to 48 hours if left closed.
- Discard any food that has an unusual odor, color or texture.
If you rely on a Private Well:
- Boil water for at least five minutes at a full rolling boil before using it for drinking, cooking, making ice or brushing teeth
- Infants under six months and pregnant women should not drink boiled water, because boiling water may concentrate harmful nitrates.
- Continue to use bottled water or to boil your well-water until tests on samples taken since the last flooding or loss of electricity show the water is safe.
If you have a Septic System:
- Assess your system after the storm
- If property is flooded, do not use
- Use water conservation practices until power is fully restored
If your home is Flooded:
- Assure it is safe to enter
- Remove mold and mildew & dry out the walls
- Check heating and Air conditioning
- Assure the building is dry before repairing
For more detailed information, please visit http://www.darenc.com/health/newspubs.asp or contact the Dare County Department of Health & Human Services’ Public Health Division at 252.475.5003 or 252.475.5080.