Effective at 5:00 pm, the Hyde County Board of Commissioners have declared a state of emergency due to the imminent threat of a tropical storm. Hyde County offices will be closed tomorrow, August 29, 2017. Hyde County convenience sites will be open, both mainland and Ocracoke.

The latest update from the National Weather Service (NWS) has tropical storm force winds starting tomorrow morning and lasting through the afternoon. The NWS threat summary is below.

• Inland flooding from rainfall possible Monday night through Tuesday. A Flash Flood Watch has been issued for all but deep inland areas. Areas in Hyde County (Southeastern Mainland & Ocracoke) are projected to receive between 5-7 inches of rainfall, with 4-5 inches forecast elsewhere.
   
• 1-2 foot inundation above ground is possible in areas adjacent to the Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds. Coastal flooding risk will be greatest for the sound side locations along the Outer Banks and Ocracoke Tuesday into Tuesday night.
   
• Strong wind gusts (45-55 mph) could result in minor damage and isolated power outages in Eastern NC.
   
• Isolated risk for tornadoes, mainly along and right of the storm track Monday night through Tuesday.
   
• Wind gusts to 50 knots can be expected across all coastal waters, sounds, and large rivers with seas building to 8-12 feet across the Atlantic coastal waters.

We encourage everyone to stay off the roads and be safe. Please secure all outdoor furniture and any other loose objects. Due to the isolated tornado threat, make sure you have multiple ways to receive weather updates available. Monitor our web page or social media outlets for more information. If you have an emergency dial 911.