Emergency Information

 KEEP AN EYE ON THE LOCAL WEATHER

HERE ARE SOME WEATHER AWARENESS TIPS:

• Stay tuned to local radio stations and television channels for updates and any notice of evacuation.
  -Local Broadcast:
  Government Access Cable Channel 191; Weather Channel 57; VA Channels 3,10,13; & NC Channels 7 and 9
  -Local Radio Stations:
  92.5FM; 95.3FM; 99.1FM; 104.1FM; 105.7FM & NOAA weather radio
  -Local Websites: 
  Dare County Emergency Management, Outer Banks Voice (News), NOAA Weather,  & Outer Banks Sentinel
• If officials have called for a mandatory evacuation, for your safety and to obey the law you must evacuate.
• If you purchased trip insurance and want to know about your coverage please click here for your Trip Insurance Information.
• For information about Our Policy please refer to Paragraph 5 of your rental agreement.
  
  IF AN EVACUATION IS ORDERED:
  
• Turn off all electrical appliances and turn the AC to 80 degrees at the property you are renting.
• Please help out the homeowner by securing deck furniture. Secure trash containers and grills in the outside showers or under the home.
• Close and lock all windows and doors.
• Pull the shades or blinds down.
• Take all of your belongings in case you are unable to return.
• Come by the Joe Lamb Office located at 4607 N. Croatan Hwy. in Kitty Hawk at MP 2.7 and be sure to bring the keys to your vacation home with you.
• Remember there are no emergency shelters in Dare County or surrounding areas.
• Gas up your vehicle and leave as early as possible to reach your destination safely.
• Head inland or home, depending on the situation.

** There is a possibility that once the storm has passed you can return to finish out your vacation. For re-entry information call us or the NCDOT at 877-511-4662 or call *511.

In North Carolina, local counties have the right to determine when an evacuation will go into effect. When a Dare County Evacuation is in effect this means that all vacationers and visitors must leave the county and either head west inland or head north towards Virginia as there are only two Dare County Evacuation Routes. (image below)

EVACUATION ROUTES

RE-ENTRY PROTOCOL

Priority One: Essential personnel

Essential personnel include essential utilities personnel, government personnel, medical personnel, and damage assessment personnel. Essential personnel will receive a Priority One Critical Personnel Pass for re-entry from Municipal Mayors and the Chairman of the Dare County Control Group. 

Priority Two: Essential Personnel for Critical Businesses and Permanent residents

Permanent Residents will be allowed re-entry with a valid NC driver's license with a local address or a current Dare County tax receipt. Non-resident essential personnel of critical businesses such as food service/supply, pharmacies, banks, gas stations, property management, building supply and hotels will be permitted re-entry only with a permit. Permits issued to critical businesses for non-resident essential employees must meet stringent criteria; contact Emergency Management for more information. 

Priority Three: Non-resident property owners and non-resident employees of non-critical businesses

Re-entry permits were mailed to non-resident property owners in April. Permits were issued one to a household based on tax registration information. Green re-entry permits were dispersed for property owners north of Oregon Inlet. Burgundy re-entry permits were dispersed for property owners south of Oregon Inlet. Non-resident employees of non-critical businesses will be allowed entry with a re-entry pass. Business owners must contact Dare County Emergency Management to receive passes for employees. 

Priority Four: General Public, Visitors

No re-entry pass is needed for Priority Four re-entry.

KNOW THE DIFFERENCE

Hurricane Watch- An announcement that sustained winds of 64 knots (74 mph or 119 km/hr) or higher are possible within the specified area in association with a tropical, sub tropical, or post tropical cyclone. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the hurricane watch is issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical storm force winds.

Hurricane Warning-An announcement that sustained winds of 64 knots (74 mph or 119 km/hr) or higher are expected somewhere within the specified area in association with a tropical, subtropical, or post tropical cyclone. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds. The warning can remain in effect when dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and waves continue, even though winds may be less than hurricane force.

Visit Dare County Emergency Management for up to date emergency information

HELPFUL WEATHER LINKS:

• Dare County Weather - Current weather conditions on the Outer Banks. Offered by NOAA.
• Weather Underground - Current Conditions for Kitty Hawk
• Outer Banks Webcams - A live look at current weather conditions.
  
• NCDOT-12 Twitter - Current road conditions and fast information. 

If there is a mandatory Hurricane Evacuation please be mindful, be courteous, be smart and most of all be safe!