Outer Banks Residents, Visitors Advised to Prepare for Hurricane Isaias
UPDATE 11:40 a.m. 8/4/20: The evacuation order will be lifted today. Initial Damage assessments have been completed for Hatteras Island and with limited impacts from the storm, there will be unrestricted access for residents and visitors beginning today, August 4, at 2:00 p.m.
Sand and water remain on some Hatteras Island roadways in low-lying areas prone to soundside flooding, particularly along Highway 12 south of the Etheridge Bridge. Expect delays and proceed with caution in these areas. Remember, driving through salt water causes damage to vehicles. Also, check the weather forecast and road conditions for your travel route to the Outer Banks to ensure safety.
A prohibition for ocean swimming remains in effect for Hatteras Island.
UPDATE 11:00 a.m. 8/4/20: The Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge Warning are no longer in effect on the Outer Banks south of Duck. Damage assessments began this morning and local officials will provide an update regarding reentry to Hatteras Island as soon as possible, once the assessment is completed, anticipated for later today. Red Flag No Swimming advisories are posted on local beaches today due to continuing dangerous rip currents and surf conditions.
UPDATE 8:00 p.m. 8/3/20: Isaias has strengthened once again to a Category 1 hurricane, expected to make landfall tonight with dangerous winds and storm surge. Strong winds and heavy rainfall are likely throughout the Outer Banks tonight and Tuesday.
UPDATE 5:30 p.m. 8/3/20: Tropical storm force winds are expected to reach the Outer Banks this evening and bring ocean and soundside flooding along with a chance of tornadoes. Ocean overwash of two to four feet above normally dry ground is anticipated in vulnerable areas on Hatteras Island. Soundside flooding is expected in areas on the northern beaches that are impacted by southerly winds. Weather conditions are expected to improve by Tuesday morning, as the storm moves past and heads to the north-northeast. Damage assessments will be made as soon as conditions allow during daylight hours and local officials will provide an update regarding reentry to Hatteras Island on Tuesday afternoon, once the assessment is completed.
In Kill Devil Hills, west side refuse collection scheduled for Tuesday has been suspended. At this time, the town anticipates an adjusted refuse collection for the west side occurring on Wednesday, August 5.
UPDATE 3:30 p.m. 8/3/20: The Town of Kitty Hawk has declared a State of Emergency in advance of the storm. At this time , the Town Council meeting scheduled for Monday, Aug. 3 at 6:00 p.m. will be held as planned.
UPDATE 12:00 p.m. 8/3/20: A Tropical Storm Warning and Storm Surge Warning are in effect for Dare County until further notice. In addition, a Beach Hazards Statement has been issued and a High Surf Advisory will become effective early Tuesday morning. Ocean conditions are extremely dangerous and will remain so over the next few days. Everyone should stay out of the water, even experienced swimmers.
UPDATE 11:00 a.m. 8/3/20: A Storm Surge Warning has been issued for the Outer Banks from Oregon Inlet to the North Carolina/Virginia border. A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for the area. Isaias is expected to be at hurricane strength when it reaches North Carolina Monday night.
UPDATE 11:00 p.m. 8/2/20: A Tropical Storm Warning in effect for all of the Outer Banks, including the Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds, with Isaias expected to be near hurricane strength when it reaches North Carolina late Monday night or early Tuesday morning, according to the most recent update from the National Hurricane Center. This means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the area, likely within the next 48 hours, according to the latest forecast. Heavy rain is expected to produce three to six inches of rain in the Carolinas.
UPDATE 11:00 a.m. 8/2/20: A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for the North Carolina coast from north of Surf City to Duck, including Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds and all of Dare County. Tropical Storm conditions are possible to arrive on the Outer Banks on Tuesday, Aug. 4. Isaias was downgraded from a hurricane to a tropical storm on Saturday. Mandatory evacuation orders for Hatteras Island will remain in place until after the storm has passed the area. There are dangerous rip current threats today along the Outer Banks and everyone is ordered out of the water.
UPDATE 11:00 a.m. 8/1/20: A local State of Emergency has been declared for all of areas of Dare County and a mandatory evacuation of Hatteras Island has been ordered for visitors starting at noon on Saturday, Aug. 1 and for residents and property owners starting at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 2. Read more here.
UPDATE 6:00 p.m. 7/31/20: The National Weather Service reports that Northeastern North Carolina could begin seeing impacts from Hurricane Isaias as early as Monday morning, Aug. 3, but most likely on Monday evening and into Tuesday, Aug. 4. A high risk of rip currents is ongoing.
UPDATE 4:30 p.m. 7/31/20: Governor Roy Cooper has declared State of Emergency for all of North Carolina in preparation for Hurricane Isaias.
As Hurricane Isaias makes its way up the east coast, Dare County Emergency Management issued a statement this morning (7/31/20) advising Outer Banks residents to prepare for potential impacts of the storm and visitors scheduled to arrive this weekend to consider delaying their travel plans.
Hyde County has already ordered a mandatory evacuation for visitors on Ocracoke Island starting at noon today and for residents and property owners starting at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, Aug 1.
As of 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 31, the National Weather Service Hurricane Center reports that the storm continues to get better organized, with tropical storm conditions and heavy rains spreading into the Central Bahamas.
Dare County Emergency Management continues to closely monitor Hurricane Isaias and is advising residents and visitors to begin implementing their hurricane preparedness plans. Local officials will confer on Saturday morning to determine whether protective measures are necessary to ensure public safety. Based on the current forecast, visitors scheduled to travel to the Outer Banks this weekend are advised to closely watch updated information from the National Weather Service Center and consider delaying arrival until after the storm has passed.
“Dare County is likely to experience impacts from the storm as early as Sunday evening, August 2,” said Dare County Emergency Management Director Drew Pearson. “Now is the time to assemble or restock your disaster supply kit with essentials to sustain your family and your pets for three to five days. Have your evacuation plan ready to execute.”
Should an evacuation order become necessary, it will be important to allow extra time to evacuate. In light of COVID-19 and with social distancing measures in place, state sheltering options will be limited. As always, you are better off locating shelter with family or friends outside the expected danger zone or stay at an accommodation of your choice.
Over the next few days, rough seas and strong rip currents will create dangerous conditions for beachgoers that will continue through next week. Even the most experienced swimmers should exercise caution to ensure their personal safety. For local beach conditions, visit www.weather.gov/beach/mhx.
To access updated information from Dare County, visit www.darenc.com/isaias.
For preparedness information, visit www.readync.org.
Dare County Emergency Management will continue to monitor the storm and provide updates as needed. The next update will be issued no later than Saturday, August 1 at 12:00 p.m.
This article will continue to be updated as needed. Please refresh this page for the latest updates.
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