NC coast state of emergency, evacuation of OBX islands ordered; Hurricane Erin ‘life-threatening impacts’ likely

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Officials at the North Carolina coast on Sunday declared a state of emergency in Dare County and Hyde County and ordered an evacuation of Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island at the Outer Banks, ahead of expected flooding from Hurricane Erin.

Already Sunday, the National Weather Service issued a coastal flood watch for the Outer Banks starting Tuesday with breaking waves from 15 to 20+ feet.

“Portions of N.C. 12 on Hatteras Island will likely be impassable for several days,” Dare County Emergency Management officials said in the state of emergency late Sunday afternoon. The Hyde County Board of Commissioners on Sunday evening issued a State of Emergency for Ocracoke Island.

Dare County and Hyde County leaders said that “life-threatening impacts” are expected along the coast from Hurricane Erin.

“Coastal flooding and ocean overwash are expected to begin as early as Tuesday and continue through Thursday,” Dare County officials said.

County officials warned that “now is the time to make final preparations, secure property, (and) evacuate with all personal belongings.”

The National Weather Service said coastal and beach flooding from Hurricane Erin is a “significant threat to life and property.” Flooding of “many” homes and businesses is likely and numerous roads will be impassible, forecasters said.

The National Weather Service in Morehead City said the coastal flood watch is in effect from Tuesday afternoon through Thursday night in Carteret, Onslow counties, the northern Outer Banks, Ocracoke Island and Hatteras Island.

A high surf advisory is active from noon Tuesday to 8 a.m. Friday for the same areas at the North Carolina coast, the weather service said.

The Ocracoke Island evacuation for visitors is Sunday night, while residents must evacuate starting at 6 a.m. Tuesday, Hyde County officials said.

“It is extremely likely that Hyde County EMS services will not be available in Ocracoke due to Highway 12 being inaccessible,” Hyde County officials said.

A Mandatory Evacuation has been issued for Hatteras Island (Zone A) as follows. (Zone A includes all of Hatteras Island, including the unincorporated villages of Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, and Hatteras.)

• Hatteras Island Mandatory Visitor Evacuation (Zone A): All visitors in Hurricane Evacuation Zone A must evacuate beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday, August 18.
• Hatteras Island Mandatory Resident Evacuation (Zone A): All residents in Hurricane Evacuation Zone A must evacuate beginning at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, August 19.

“Extreme beach and coastal damage is likely along the oceanside, resulting in a significant threat to life and property. Large dangerous waves will likely inundate and destroy protective dune structures,” the Morehead City office of the National Weather Service said Sunday about the impacts from Hurricane Erin.

Officials said people evacuating to areas north of Dare County are encouraged to travel westbound on U.S. 64 to Interstate 95.

“Evacuating through the rural areas to the west of Dare County will help avoid traffic backups and congestion that may prolong evacuation by traveling northbound through the Hampton Roads portion of Virginia,” Dare County officials said.

The state of emergency will go into effect at 6 p.m. Sunday for all areas of Dare County, officials said.