Here are some Hurricane Isaias news stories from Friday:
Gov. Cooper declares emergency as North Carolina prepares for Hurricane Isaias
N.C. ferries assisting Ocracoke Island mandatory evacuation
Isaias now a hurricane; Hyde commissioners order evacuation of Ocracoke
By Peter Vankevich
Following yesterday’s mandatory evacuation of Ocracoke owing to the impending threat of Hurricane Isaias, Dare County officials issued a mandatory evacuation for Hatteras Island visitors effective at noon today and 6 a.m. Sunday for residents and property owners. The evacuation order is for Evacuation Zone A which covers all areas of Hatteras Island, including the villages of Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco and Hatteras Village.
Hyde County mainland is in Evacuation Zone B and Ocracoke is in Zone A. See graphic below.
OBX Today reported Dare officials will meet again on Sunday morning, Aug. 2, to determine whether protective measures are necessary for Evacuation Zone B which covers areas north of Oregon Inlet. More information on evacuation zones can be found at https://knowyourzone.nc.gov/.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore announced this afternoon it will close starting tomorrow, Sunday, Aug, 2.
Here is some additional information regarding the closure.
The eastern half of North Carolina is now forecast to see tropical storm-force winds starting around 8 a.m. Monday and the worst conditions Monday evening into Tuesday when it will move north.
Campgrounds: Oregon Inlet, Cape Point, and Frisco campgrounds will close at 10 a.m. Sunday. Campers with reservations have received notifications via http://www.recreation.gov. Ocracoke Campground closed Friday (July 31).
Beach Access Ramps: All off-road vehicle (ORV) ramps will close at 9 p.m. tonight (Saturday). The ramps will reopen for ORV access after evacuation orders are lifted and post-storm assessments are completed.
Swimming Prohibition: Due to the forecast for life-threatening rip currents along Hatteras Island beaches, Dare County’s state of emergency order includes restrictions on ocean swimming. Rip currents on high risk days are life-threatening to anyone entering the surf.
In Currituck County, officials say they will likely wait until Sunday morning before deciding on potential evacuations for Corolla and Carova beaches.
To the south, Cape Lookout National Seashore will close today at 5 p.m.
The final ferry departure to Hatteras will run until Sunday afternoon or evening depending on conditions. Final ferries across the Pamlico Sound on Sunday are as follows: Ocracoke to Cedar Island 7:30 a.m.; Cedar Island to Ocracoke 10:30 a.m.; Ocracoke to Swan Quarter 1:30 p.m.
The Cape Hatteras National Seashore’s Operational Status Report at www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/operational-status-report.htm provides the most up-to-date park-specific information and conditions.
For local weather updates, visit www.weather.gov/mhx.
