We are being watchful of Hurricane Joaquin and its potential impact to our area. Although the track and impact of the hurricane is uncertain at this point, we are preparing for the possibility of a hurricane making landfall in or near our area this weekend. Currently, we are experiencing a weather system for which we are under a flood watch with 4-7 inches of rain forecast by the end of the day on Saturday. Please be mindful of the weather and road conditions before traveling to or from Hatteras Island.
If you are currently staying with us or are due to arrive this weekend, updates have been sent to the leaseholder’s email address. Please refer to your trusted resources for weather information and road conditions. We have posted a few here for your convenience:
- National Weather Service : www.nhc.noaa.gov or Facebook www.facebook.com/NWSNHC
- Dare County Emergency Management : Twitter www.twitter.com/darecountyem
- North Carolina Department of Transportation : Facebook www.facebook.com/ncdot or Twitter www.twitter.com/ncdot_nc12
Dare County Emergency Management released their first bulletin this afternoon:
Hurricane Joaquin Update – 12:00 p.m., October 1
Dare County officials are closely monitoring the track of Hurricane Joaquin. The Dare County Control Group met this morning to review the latest information from the National Weather Service. With current forecast uncertainty, the Control Group will meet again on Friday morning, October 2 when the storm’s track and impacts for the Outer Banks are more accurately known.
A flood watch is in effect for Dare County through Saturday evening with 4 to 7 inches of rainfall expected. Based on the current forecast, tropical storm force winds may reach the area late Saturday evening bringing high winds, rough seas, and dangerous rip currents. Soundside flooding is also a possibility as the storm passes through the region.
It is important for residents and visitors to stay informed and begin taking necessary steps to protect property such as securing loose outdoor objects and boats. Assemble or restock your disaster supply kit with essential supplies to sustain your family and pets for up to three days. Preparedness information is available at www.ncready.org.
Dare County will continue to monitor conditions and provide periodic updates about Hurricane Joaquin. The next scheduled update will be Friday, October 2 at 11:30 a.m.
To receive e-mail alerts directly from Dare County Emergency Management, visit http://www.darecountyem.com and follow @DareCoEM on Twitter.
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