Water from high tide Tuesday afternoon continued to creep into the village at Irvin Garrish Hwy and Silver Lake Road. Photo: C. Leinbach
Oct. 12, 2016. 11:24 a.m.
The Ocracoke-Hatteras ferry has begun service today but still only for residents, property owners, vendors, and critical infrastructure personnel with required documentation.
Hyde County’s re-entry restrictions remain in effect for all Ocracoke-bound ferries.
The route will run a daylight-hours only operation for the rest of the day Wednesday, Oct. 12 with an anticipated return to full scheduled service on Thursday, Oct. 13.
At this point, all seven North Carolina ferry system routes have returned to service in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew.
The following is from Dare County Emergency Services:
The North Carolina Department of Transportation has worked diligently to clear sand and water from NC Highway 12 on Hatteras Island and has indicated that conditions will soon allow for safe travel.
All Hatteras Island volunteer fire departments and emergency service personnel are working closely with Dare County Emergency Management to ensure that the necessary resources and infrastructure are in place in preparation for the arrival of visitors.
Based on current conditions, the Dare County Control Group has determined that visitors will be allowed access to the villages of Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon and Buxton beginning 7 a.m. on Thursday (Oct. 13).
Previous restrictions remain in place for areas south of Buxton, Back Road and NC 12 (NC SR 1232 at Cape Hatteras Secondary School), including the villages of Frisco and Hatteras Village. Residents, non-resident property owners and non-resident employees of businesses with proper reentry passes will be allowed access.
It is important for visitors coming to unrestricted villages check with their rental company or accommodations provider to confirm reservations before traveling to the area since some properties were impacted and require repairs. 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.
There is still sand and water on roadways and motorists should proceed with caution. Go slowlhere.y through standing water because creating wake will cause damage to vehicles and nearby properties.
Islanders clean up after Matthew. Photo: C. Leinbach
Oct 11, 2016, 10 p.m.
For Ocracoke news, including earlier stories on Hurricane Matthew, clickhere.
By Connie Leinbach
Ocracoke on Tuesday was continuing a major clean-up and damage assessment following the record-breaking, island-wide flooding from Hurricane Matthew and remains closed to visitors.
The Ocracoke Deputy Control Group, a group of county officials, law enforcement officials and business owners who assess emergencies and make recommendations to the Hyde County commissioners, is taking it day-to-day and has been meeting twice a day since Hurricane Matthew left its mark.
County Manager Bill Rich said Tuesday afternoon that there are many variables to consider before reopening. This was the first day non-resident property owners have been able to get to the island to assess their properties.
“There’s no way of knowing how many rental houses are affected,” Rich said. He is asking for FEMA relief but the island needs a certain designation, 1-A, first.
“Walter Jones’ office is working on changing it,” he said. Jones is the Congressional representative for the District 3.
High storm waters in Hatteras are preventing the arrival of food and other vendors to Ocracoke, but that may change tomorrow if the water recedes and the Coast Guard can reestablish three channel markers displaced by the storm. Rich said he hoped the ferries would begin running tomorrow (Wednesday).
On Monday, Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Chief Albert O’Neal made a trip around the island to do a damage assessment.
The Ocracoke School shop studio cleans out after the storm. Photo: C. Leinbach
“He brought back six pages worth of damage properties,” Rich said.
Then, Tuesday afternoon, the fire company responded to a call about a gas tank floating in the sound, Rich said. Later, Ernie Doshier, assistant fire chief, said the volunteers had put a boom around spillage from it.
Speaking of gas, the Beachcomber gas station is currently not selling gas because an igniter got damaged in the flood waters. Sean Death, gas station proprietor, said a supplier is trying to get the part to Hatteras, and if it can’t be brought over on the ferry if they aren’t running, Erick O’Neal will be able to bring it by boat.
The water Sunday following the storm was up to the pump nozzles and several inches inside the building.
With a team effort by staff members of the gas station and the Ocracoke Bar & Grille, which he and his wife, Laurie, own, they were able to clear out damaged goods inside the gas station and opened up today. Sean said they will be open tomorrow for breakfast.
The flood waters tossed an ice machine, among other items, around to the back of the station where the campground is located. Bob Chestnut, owner or Ride the Wind Surf Shop, relayed a similar story, noting that the flood waters transported several railroad tie-sized rails in front of Ocracoke Island Trading Co., which shares the same building, around to the side. It also tossed about a dozen surf boards he had stored upright in the back into what he called “surfboard soup.”
Propane tanks throughout the island got overturned or loose, Chestnut said, and Tuesday was the first day Nathan Spencer, owner of Coastal Gas, who, could arrive with two staffers, to right the errant tanks and assist businesses.
Chip Stevens, proprietor of Blackbeard’s Lodge on Back Road, was dealing with a major flooding of the first floor of the historic hotel. The water had apparently been so strong it knocked out a leg of the baby grand piano in his lobby and also moved a heavy table in his entryway.
Blackbeards Lodge has serious storm damage. Photo: C. Leinbach
Across the street, the Back Porch, on higher ground, water had gotten up to the deck walkway but not into the building, said owner Daphne Bennink.
The Pony Island Hotel was fielding calls from visitors.
“I probably could have filled this motel up this weekend,” said Candy Gaskill between phone calls. “We had a little water in the office. We were very fortunate. As soon as the ferries start running, we’re open.”
Indeed, “It could have been worse,” was the catch-phrase of the day as islanders realized how well the island escaped this storm whose floodwaters have exceeded the high of Alex in 2004 and which has been compared to the hurricane of 1944. East of Ocracoke, in the eastern part of the mainland, Matthew has caused death, destruction and power outages, and swollen rivers are expected to unleash more water. (See this story in today’s Washington Post here.)
Rich reported that Justin Gibbs, Hyde County Emergency Services Director, had measured the storm surge at 4.7 feet on Sunday and at 3.5 feet on Monday.
At the Island Ragpicker, Teresa O’Neal had a bit of water in one of her back rooms, but was using fans to dry it out.
Hurricane Matthew created surfboard soup Sunday at Ride the Wind Surf Shop. Photo courtesy of Bob Chestnut
“Economically, it’s strangling,” she said about the storm, echoing many business owners.
Few other businesses were open on the island as cleanup continued.
Under a sunny, mild day, Alan Sutton, owner of Tradewinds Tackle, was riding his bicycle around assisting where he could, and wishing for the visitors to return.
“October is the best fishing month,” he said. “October and May.”
Ocracoke School will continue to be closed on Wednesday. WOVV, Ocracoke’s community radio station, lost its antenna tower and can be heard only online for the time being at wovv.org.
The Ocracoke Civic and Business Association Meet the Candidates night scheduled for tomorrow (Oct. 12), is rescheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24, in the Community Center.
The following is the latest advisory (No. 9, issued at 3 p.m.) from Hyde County Emergency Services:
The National Weather Service has issued a Coastal Flood Advisory for Ocracoke and counties adjacent to the Pamlico Sound for minor sound side flooding through late this evening. Continued large swells will produce dangerous rip currents especially north of Cape Lookout. High water levels across the Pamlico Sound will lead to minor sound side flooding for adjacent land areas.
The NC DOT Ferry Division began runs from Swan Quarter and Cedar Island this morning following their regular winter schedule. At this time residents, only non-resident property owners, vendors and essential service personnel are allowed access to the village. Please be prepared to show documentation of these statuses to gain access to the island. Individuals wishing to gain access will need to have the appropriate re-entry tag or they will be required to produce evidence of property ownership or residency.
The Ferry Division is working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Coast Guard to restore service on the Hatteras route and will open that route as soon as possible. Additionally, Dare County law enforcement officers will be enforcing the entry/re-entry priorities and restrictions, established by Hyde County, at their checkpoints on N.C. Highway 12.
Hyde County officials will be issuing a debris removal notice to proceed. See the graphic below for instructions on how debris should be separated and placed within the NCDOT right-of-way. Please do not transport storm debris to the convenience sites as the facilities have limited capacity for the volumes expected. In addition, the convenience sites in Swan Quarter and Fairfield were closed due to flooding, and there is substantial flooding on the roadways leading to the Sladesville convenience site.
The Fairfield Drainage District has declared a drainage emergency due to inundation from the Alligator River which is impacting mitigation structures in the district. Hyde County is coordinating with the Fairfield Drainage District and Mattamuskeet Association to identify and obtain resources for their response and recovery efforts. There is standing water on NC Hwy 94 between Fairfield and Columbia at the Northwest Fork. NCDOT and Hyde County urge commuters to find alternate routes to and from Hyde County.
Tideland EMC reports services have been fully restored, however, power went out again around 8:30 Tuesday evening. A text message from Tideland said they believe the problem is related to salt accumulation on lines and equipment. Ocracoke was without power earlier today for three hours, from noon to 3 p.m., while a broken pole on Highway 12 was replaced.
If traveling throughout North Carolina, please refer to https://www.ncdot.gov/traffictravel/ or https://tims.ncdot.gov/tims/regionsummary.aspxfor the latest road closures and routes open to travel. If using the TIMS site, you will have to select the region or individual counties you are traveling through to obtain specific information regarding your travel plans.
The county urges motorists not to drive through flood waters or on flooded roads. Water only two feet deep can sweep away most automobiles. Death can occur as a result of careless or unsuspecting motorists who attempt to drive through flooded roads. If your vehicle is flooded, please disconnect the battery cables to prevent it from shorting out and causing a fire.
Please be advised, flood waters may contain sewage and other harmful contaminants. Keep children and pets out of flood waters.
The Hyde County Health Department urges all to be educated about safety information following major emergencies such as Hurricane Matthew. Click herefor the link.
Peter Vankevich contributed to this story.
The gas pumps are off at Ocracoke Beachcomber Gas Station. Photo: C. LeinbachThe Ocracoke Beachcomber Gas Station had to throw out ice cream, milk, meats and much more from the storm. Photo: C. Leinbach
For Ocracoke news, including earlier stories on Hurricane Matthew, click here.
Update: Ocracoke School will be closed Wednesday, Oct. 12.
The Ocracoke Civic and Business Association Meet the Candidates forum scheduled for tomorrow (Oct. 12) is postponed until Monday, Oct. 24, 7 p.m. in the Community Center.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore visitor services and facilities begin to reopen
Note: all National Park Services on Ocracoke remain closed until further notice.
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site: Visitor services and facilities at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site will reopen at 1 pm today. Most trails within the park remain closed.
Wright Brothers National Memorial: Visitor services and facilities at Wright Brothers National Memorial have reopened. There is still standing water on some road sections in the park. Visitors should use caution when driving through these areas.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore: Staff at Cape Hatteras National Seashore are currently conducting post-storm assessments and cleanup operations. At this time, the following visitor services and facilities will reopen today:
Oregon Inlet Campground will reopen at noon.
The Bodie Island Visitor Center and off-road vehicle permit office will reopen at 1 p.m.
The status of beach access ramps will be posted throughout the day on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Facebook page at http://facebook.com/capehatterasns.
Additional information about Cape Hatteras National Seashore will be sent out when assessments and cleanup operations are completed. The park’s social media sites on Facebook and Twitter will be updated with the most current reopening information.
The Ocracoke Variety Store is the place to be Monday to get provisions, coffee and charge cell phones. Photo: C. Leinbach
Update as of 2:41 p.m.: Electric power is restored to Ocracoke. If it has not in any island households, call 800 882-1001.
For Ocracoke news, including earlier stories on Hurricane Matthew, click here.
Monday, Oct. 10, 2016; 1 p.m.
By Connie Leinbach
Ocracoke on Monday continues to assess damage and clean up after the passage of Hurricane Matthew on Sunday.
The Variety Store was the place to be Monday as residents mingled inside and on the porch, sipping complimentary coffee and discussing the storm and its aftermath.
Since the store has a generator, coffee was available as well as cell phone charging ports.
“We have all kinds of connectors here,” said clerk Trudy Austin. “And coffee is on the house.”
In addition to food, bleach, mops and brooms were hot items.
Hyde County Manager Bill Rich reported after the morning meeting of the Ocracoke Deputy Control Group that a lot of information is still coming in.
As for electricity, he said that Tideland EMC is optimistic that power will be restored later today.
Rich said local crews have repaired three of the four damaged poles at the north end of the island along Highway 12. They are working on the fourth one today.
“Bobby O’Neal and his crew did a great job,” Rich said.
Islanders in the Ocracoke Variety Store discuss the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew, get a cup of complimentary coffee and charge their cell phones. Photo: C. Leinbach
The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Ferry Division has received conditional approval from the U.S. Coast Guard to resume service to and from Ocracoke Island for first responders only. Service was suspended due to hazardous conditions caused by Hurricane Matthew.
The schedule for service today is as follows:
1 p.m. Swan Quarter and Cedar Island to Ocracoke
1 p.m. Ocracoke to Cedar Island
4 p.m. Cedar Island to Ocracoke and Ocracoke to Cedar Island
Crews are currently conducting test runs on the Hatteras Inlet route to Ocracoke.
Full passenger operations remain suspended until the Ferry Division receives clearance from the Coast Guard. Once approved, service will resume under the guidelines of Hyde County’s re-entry protocols.
As for clean-up, Rich said the county is poised to hire a debris clean-up contractor who will arrive on the island sometime soon to assess damage. Property owners should put tree debris only out on the streets.
The Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Company today will make an island-wide assessment of home and business damage.
The Control Group will meet again today at 5 p.m.
Important safety message from Hyde County officials:
If there’s any chance that your car wires got wet, disconnect your car battery immediately. There’s a chance that batteries can spontaneously catch fire.
“During Hurricane Alex (2004), when vehicles got flooded with water, they exploded,” Hyde County Manager Bill Rich said today.
The county advises all not to play in the flooded water, especially in bare feet or bare legs. There are lots of contaminants in the flood surge. (See graphic below).
As for Dare County, just north of Ocracoke, damage assessment teams are working to assess the conditions caused by Hurricane Matthew, according to a press release today.
Islanders can charge their cell phones at the Ocracoke Variety Store, as Bobby Turner, right is doing. Trudy Austin, left, welcomes everyone to complimentary coffee. Photo: C. Leinbach
Entry to Dare County and to Currituck County’s Outer Banks continues to be restricted because significant portions of Dare County are still experiencing hazardous road conditions and power outages.
Residents attempting travel between the Bonner Bridge and Rodanthe are advised to use extreme caution due to large amounts of sand and water on NC Highway 12. NCDOT is working to address the situation. Until conditions improve, only residents and essential personnel with permits should attempt to travel this area and do so only in high-profile 4-wheel drive vehicles.
The National Park Service reports that there are no planned openings of any visitor services or facilities today for Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, or Wright Brothers National Memorial.
Safety assessments began yesterday afternoon, and work crews are on the grounds this morning to begin necessary clean-up and repairs. Services and facilities will reopen once clean-up and repairs are completed, and as staff are able to return to work.
WOVV lost its transmission tower for 90.1 FM, but is still broadcasting online at wovv.org. Officials said today they do not know when restoration of FM broadcasting will resume.
Ocracoke School will remain closed tomorrow (Tuesday).
A tree at Edwards of Ocracoke motel is a casualty of Hurricane Matthew. Hyde County officials asked residents to move tree debris to the side of the roads so that a debris contractor coming on the island can assess damage. Photo: C. LeinbachThough much reduced, the tide continues to come in Monday on the island as seen in this shot of Sunset Drive below Friendly Ridge. Photo: C. Leinbach
Jesse Spencer pauses along Sunset Drive while ferrying Tideland EMC worker Bobby O’Neal to the office. Walking around the island in chest waders are Byron Miller, left, and Bert Clark, right. Photo: C. Leinbach
Hurricane Matthew brushed by Ocracoke last night bringing high winds and high storm surge.
Windy conditions began Saturday evening then struck in earnest around 4 a.m. today (Sunday) until mid-morning.
Power went out island-wide around 4:30 a.m., and word today from Tideland Electric Membership Corporation said four poles on the beach were broken. Power would not be restored today as repairs will depend on flood levels.
Hyde County Manager Bill Rich said the word he got from Tideland was they were hopeful the power would be restored later Monday. As of 4:30 p.m., there was no word from Tideland about starting up the generator on the island.
Islanders were out at first light walking in the flooded streets.
“It’s the most water I’ve ever seen in my 41 years,” said islander Valerie Mason this afternoon, adding that the water has gone down a great deal since this morning.
Her husband, Kenny, walked around and took pictures of islanders’ cars at the NPS parking lot, which is a spot where many islanders park their cars in such weather events.
“The NPS parking lot was a moat,” she said about the surrounding water on the roads.
Tom Pahl, left, and Bob Chestnut in the garb of the day–chest waders. Photo: P. Vankevich
Mason, who has a portable generator, has posted numerous photos of the flooding on Facebook.
Jesse Spencer, who has the Beach Tow business here, was out in his motor boat around 8:30 a.m. picking up workers for Tideland and the water plant.
“I have about six inches more of tide in my yard than for Hurricane Alex,” he said. Alex, which struck the island in 2004, was the highest recorded flood waters on the island.
Matthew’s surge numbers may make a new record.
Though the Ocracoke Deputy Control Group was supposed to meet today, conditions did not allow it, said Rich.
“Too many people don’t have power to their cell phones,” he said. The group will meet tomorrow at 10:30 a.m.
Bob Cooley slogs through waist-high water at 7 a.m. Sunday. Photo: C. Leinbach
Justin Gibbs, Hyde County Emergency Services Director, said in an interview that there were no rescues of anyone on either Ocracoke or the mainland. There was minor damage and less storm surge than the last two storms.
“Then the wind shifted out of the north, it pushed a lot of the water out,” he said about the mainland, which experienced significant flooding from Hurricane Hermine over the Labor Day weekend.
“It’s a historic event for Ocracoke,” he said about Matthew. “I’m just pleased everyone made it through safely. We have material damage, but that can be rebuilt. Across the state, flooding and damage has been considerably higher.
“People evacuating from South Carolina went to the North Carolina piedmont area and had to be re-evacuated from there,” Gibbs said. “(Elsewhere) there have been deaths and people missing.”
It was a frustrating storm owing to Matthew’s shifts and changes, and Gibbs said a mandatory evacuation for residents would have resulted in sending them also into the middle of the state.
The storm surge level Gibbs recorded was four feet seven inches, Gibbs reported.
From the National Weather Service, on the forecast track as of 2 p.m., the center of Matthew was moving farther offshore of the coast of the North Carolina Outer Banks this afternoon and tonight. A gradual weakening is forecast during the next day or so, and the low is expected to be absorbed within a frontal boundary Monday night.
Tropical storm conditions are expected to continue over the warning area are diminishing.
Storm surge: While levels should subside by this evening the rising tide and wind are still a factor.
The Ocracoke Variety Store is open until 6 p.m. tonight and will open again at 8 a.m.
Ocracoke School is cancelled tomorrow (Monday).
The N.C. Ferry Division has not issued any information as to when ferry service will resume.
WOVV lost its transmission tower for 90.1 FM, but is still broadcasting at wovv.org.
The transmission antenna for WOVV 90.1 FM went down in the storm. The station is broadcasting online at WOVV.org. Photo: P. Vankevich
John Simpson, left, and Trudy Austin at their posts in the Ocracoke Variety Store. Photo: C. Leinbach
For Ocracoke news, including earlier stories on Hurricane Matthew, click here.
By Connie Leinbach
As of 5 p.m. today, Ocracoke is beginning to experience stronger winds and gusts as Hurricane Matthew churns northward.
Ocracoke Variety store clerks said today that islanders should get to the store by 6:30 today if you need any last-minute items for tonight because the store will close at 7 p.m.
That’s the closing time while Hurricane Matthews bears down and the visitor evacuation is in effect.
John Simpson said between customers Saturday afternoon that depending on weather conditions, the store might close earlier.
In any event, it will be open tomorrow.
“I’ll be here at 8 a.m.,” Simpson said. “I’ll walk in my chest waders if I have to.”
The Community Story in Community Square.
The Variety Store, the Beachcomber gas station were open today and expect to be open tomorrow. The Community Store is open until 6 p.m. today and will then be closed until the weather improves.
With the mandatory visitor evacuation in effect Wednesday, many businesses began closing, with most all others closed today as Matthew (as a tropical storm) is expected to brush the island tonight and into the Sunday early morning hours.
Motel owners continue to field calls about cancellations due to the evacuation and reservations for next week.
Around midday, island children take the opportunity to ride their scooters down the ramp at the Lifeguard Beach. Photo: C. Leinbach
Ferry service between Hatteras and Ocracoke stopped today at 8 a.m. and stopped yesterday afternoon for the long routes across Pamlico Sound.
According to Hyde County Emergency Services, Matthew is a minimal Category One hurricane with 75 mph maximum sustained winds and the storm is moving to the northeast at 12 mph. The current forecast track brings Matthew approximately 80 miles south of Ocracoke as a strong tropical storm.
The National Hurricane Center as of 5 p.m. reported that the center of Matthew
Matthew is moving toward the east-northeast near 13 mph, and this motion is expected to continue tonight and early Sunday. On the forecast track, the center of Matthew will be near the coast of southern North Carolina by this evening.
Maximum sustained winds remain near 75 mph with higher gusts. Although weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours, Matthew is expected to remain near hurricane strength while the center is near the coasts of North Carolina.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles mainly over water to the east of the center. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 185 miles. Multiple private weather stations along the coast of South Carolina near Myrtle Beach have recently reported hurricane-force wind gusts.
Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances.
Earlier today, Hyde County Manager Bill Rich said storm surge, including rainfall volume, is expected at about three to six feet.
Following on the heels of Hurricane Matthew is Tropical Storm Nicole, now still well east of the Bahamas.
The strong surf midday at the Lifeguard Beach produces lots of foam. Photo: C. Leinbach
Prior to weather events, islanders find high ground anywhere on the island where they can park their cars. This spot along Irvin Garrish Hwy. is popular. The NPS parking lot is another high spot available for people to park cars. Photo: C. Leinbach
For Ocracoke news, including earlier stories on Hurricane Matthew, click here.
By Connie Leinbach
The N.C. Ferry Division made its last ferry run between Hatteras and Ocracoke today at 8 a.m. in anticipation of Hurricane Matthew’s approach. So all who are on the island are stuck for now.
Ferries on the long routes–to Cedar Island and Swan Quarter made their final departures at 4 p.m. yesterday. Officials will monitor the weather conditions and resume service as soon as it is safe to do so.
So far, the North Carolina Ferry System has evacuated 1,362 people from Ocracoke on its Hatteras, Cedar Island, and Swan Quarter routes.
Ocracoke should feel the full effects of the hurricane starting at 9 p.m. tonight and ending around 1 p.m. Sunday, said Hyde County Manager Bill Rich after a meeting at 9 this morning of the Ocracoke Deputy Control Group.
According to the Control Group’s information, winds will be about 54 mph with gusts up to 70 mph.
“The most significant peaks will be from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. Sunday,” he said, and there also is now a chance for tornadoes on the island.
Storm surge, including rainfall volume, is expected at about three to six feet. That means that from the normal height of the sound, water will rise three to six feet.
Ocracoke businesses are shuttered for Hurricane Matthew. Photo: C. Leinbach
“The lake (water) is down now,” Rich said. “It didn’t rain as much overnight.”
Projected rainfall is 9.25 inches.
The high-water military vehicle is on the island, Rich said, and will be out as early as it can Sunday morning to assess damage.
The Control Group will meet at 4:30 p.m. Sunday. This group is composed of government, emergency and law enforcement officials and business owners. Prior to weather events, the group meets to discuss the situation and to recommend actions to the Hyde County commissioners.
As of 8 a.m. this morning, the forecast for the Ocracoke from the National Hurricane Center area is as follows:
Matthew is moving toward the northeast near 12 mph, and this general motion is expected to continue today. On the forecast track, the center of Matthew will continue to move near or over the coast of South Carolina today, and be near the coast of southern North Carolina by tonight.
Reports from the reconnaissance aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 85 mph with higher gusts. Although weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours, Matthew is expected to remain a hurricane while the center is near the coasts of South Carolina and North Carolina.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 185 miles. A private weather station at Folly Beach reported a wind gust of 76 mph. Strong wind gusts are also occurring well inland in South Carolina. Orangeburg recently reported a wind gust of 55 mph.
MODIS satellite image of Matthew taken at 12 pm EDT Oct. 7, 2016. At the time, Matthew was a Category 3 storm with 120 mph winds. Image credit: NASA.
The forecast wind speeds across the area have increased and timing is a bit faster to enter the area based on a northward shift in the forecast track of Hurricane Matthew.
A tropical storm warning has been issued for all of Eastern North Carolina and adjacent coastal waters.
A storm surge warning has been issued for portions of the area for a potential of 2 to 4 feet above ground or 3 to 6 feet above normal.
River flood warnings have been issued for: NE Cape Fear River at Chinquapin, Contentnea Creek at Hookerton, Neuse River at Kinston and the Tar River at Greenville
Hurricane Matthew key points:
The rainfall forecast has further increased to 6 to 12 inches with local amounts up to 15 inches. This is a dangerous and life threatening flooding event this weekend.
The combination of abnormally high coastal water levels, additional storm surge, and extremely heavy rainfall, will produce increased dangerous flood levels, from flash flooding and storm surge combined.
This event has the potential to create once-in-a-lifetime flooding levels for some areas. Rivers could flood in the days to come, reaching moderate to major flood levels. This could be the worst flooding seen in Eastern NC since Hurricane Floyd.
There is the potential for significant inundation of water that could result in three feet or more across low lying roadways and homes and other buildings on low lying properties being inundated.
The combination of isolated dune breaches, over wash, and sound side flooding could cause mostly areas of inundation on portions of Highway 12 on the Outer Banks and This could occur Saturday night through Sunday Night.
High surf across the Outer Banks from Cape Hatteras North will continue Sunday into Vulnerable spots like Kitty Hawk could experience issues from erosion at multiple high tide cycles and suffer some over wash.
Travel this weekend is highly discouraged.
Residents in low lying areas should take action to elevate property and move cars to higher ground.
With higher winds and rainfall, potential for downed trees has increased and power outages could be more numerous. Vulnerable homes and buildings near tall trees should be aware of the potential for downed trees falling on them.
Areas accessible by low lying roads will likely be cut off. Residents, especially those with medical needs in these locations should consider re-locating to safer and more accessible locations if possible.
Complete your disaster preparedness kits and other safety preparations today
The roiling surf around noon today at the Lifeguard Beach on Ocracoke. Photo: C. Leinbach
Oct. 7, 2016; 2:21 p.m.
Ocracoke evacuation nearing completion; Hatteras to shut down Saturday
MANNS HARBOR – Due to the approach of Hurricane Matthew, the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Ferry Division will suspend operations to and from Ocracoke Island on Pamlico Sound routes after the 4 p.m. departure from Ocracoke to Cedar Island today (Friday, Oct. 7).
The final run from Ocracoke to Swan Quarter departed at 1:30 p.m. Ferry officials anticipate suspending operations on the Ocracoke-Hatteras route sometime Saturday morning.
“The time has come to secure our boats and get our crews out of harm’s way,” said Ferry Division Deputy Director Jed Dixon. “Anyone still wishing to leave Ocracoke Island before Hurricane Matthew arrives should do so immediately.”
So far, the North Carolina Ferry System has evacuated more than 1,350 people from Ocracoke on the three routes.
Ferry Division managers will monitor weather conditions and resume service as soon as it is safe to do so.
For real-time updates, follow the Ferry Division on Twitter at @NCDOT_Ferry.
Ocracoke’s usually busy main street, Irvin Garrish Highway, is practically deserted Wednesday as the evacuation of visitors had begun. Today it is raining with more photos to follow. Photo: C. Leinbach
Updated noon, Oct. 7, 2016
Today’s (Oct. 7) forecast brings back the potential for a very dangerous and life threatening situation for all of Eastern N.C., according to an 8 a.m. report issued by Richard S. Bandy, meteorologist-in-charge, National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office Newport/Morehead City. (See link to full report below which says this could be the worst flooding sinceHurricane Floyd.)
“Extremely heavy rainfall combined with storm surge/coastal flooding will result in the potential for widespread and deep flash flooding mixing with storm surge/coastal flooding and river flooding,” Bandy said. “The wind forecast has increased along the coast as well, so more numerous issues with downed trees and power outages can be expected.”
Ferries to and from the Ocracoke are running. The long routes to Cedar Island and Swan Quarter are on schedule, and a modified schedule for the Ocracoke-Hatteras run is also running. Click here for that schedule.
The Hyde County Board of Commissioners will meet with the Ocracoke Control Group at 2 p.m. today (Oct. 7), and the Hyde County government offices will close today at 3 p.m. due to inclement weather and flooding of roadways.
Hyde County Emergency Services is now using a system called Hyper-Reach to provide a way to send alerts to our residents. You can choose to receive weather related alerts, community alerts or both. The alerts can be delivered via phone call, text message and email. We highly recommend that everyone register with this service. Just click on theattached link.
Outer Banks Group (Cape Hatteras National Seashore) update:
By 5 p.m. today, all visitor services and facilities at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and Wright Brothers National Memorial will be closed until further notice.
All campgrounds closed at 10 a.m. today.
All Cape Hatteras National Seashore ORV ramps will be closed to vehicle traffic by 4 p..m. today.
Visitor services and facilities will reopen after post-storm assessments are completed.
Tideland Electric Membership Cooperative sent extra materials over earlier this week and an extra bucket truck yesterday,, said spokesperson Heidi Smith. “Additional crews will be staged in Washington until we know if and where we will be impacted,” she said. “Right now, our Pamlico and Craven county service territories appear to be most susceptible to outages.” Already, an extra seven-man crew staying in Fairfield where they are working on a construction job for the electric company, but have been told they could be activated for storm duty should the need arise. “As we get closer, it is still possible that we would dispatch additional personnel to the island if the forecast significantly changes,” Smith said.
The Ocracoke Planning Advisory Board meeting has been rescheduled to Nov. 10 and the Ocracoke Board of Adjustment (variance board) meeting has been postponed to Nov. 11.
