Emergency Information

Keep an eye on the weather before your arrival and during your vacation!

• 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,  & OB Sentinel

• If officials have called for a mandatory evacuation, you must leave.
• Turn off all electrical appliances and turn the AC to 80 degrees.
• 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.
• Take all of your belongings in case you are unable to return.
• Come by the Joe Lamb Office and be sure to bring the keys to your vacation home with you.
• There are no emergency shelters in Dare County or surrounding areas. Gas up your vehicle and leave early. 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 our state of 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.

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.

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. 

While the event of a hurricane affecting your Outer Banks vacation is unlikely, knowing what to do when a hurricane is heading our way can save you and your family lots of time and stress.

Visit Dare County Emergency Management for up to date emergency information