Current Events September 2–8

Ocracoke kids are expected to attend school on Tuesday. The mandatory evacuation for residents begins Wednesday at 5am. 

Some clarification: when it's "mandatory" for visitors, they really have to go. When it's "mandatory" for residents, they don't. But they stay at their own risk.

LOL. This is what we thought we would be doing before Dorian showed up.Honestly, the scuttlebutt around the village is that a mandatory evacuation for visitors will begin Tuesday morning at 5am. We haven't heard that confirmed by anyone who's supposed to share the information, but if the media giants can quote unnamed sources, then so can the Ocracoke Current. 

As of this writing (11pm Sunday night), county officials have stated that the official decision will be announced after the next Ocracoke Emergency Control Group meeting taking place at 1pm Monday. 

The Control Group may treat what they discuss as Classified Information, but there's always a leaker. Or many, considering I've heard the news from three very different but equally reliable-ish people.

Here's what could happen that would make an evacuation unnecessary: Hurricane Dorian could make a sharp left swing and make landfall somewhere south of us and weaken, or it could make a sharp right swing and go out to sea. Is either the likeliest scenario? My Magic 8 Ball says: Don't count on it. Also: Ask again later. Better not tell you now. Outlook not so good. It's as frustrating as the meteorologists! 

As soon as we know what's going on, we'll post it here! This story will be updated with news about who and what will still happen in event of an evacuation. 

As far as Ocracoke residents are concerned, this ain't our first rodeo. We know all too well how to manage the cognitive dissonance of simultaneously planning for a normal week of business as usual and prepping for catastrophe and/or evacuation-induced off-island travel. We got this! Carpe Diem. 

So.... Welcome, September! Happy Labor Day! 

Labor Day is the last day of the season that lifeguards are on duty. Go say thanks for a great summer. They'll work 9-5. After tomorrow, take care at the beach and learn about rip currents before you go in the water. 

Here are some other helpful tips:

• Walk facing traffic; bike with traffic. 
• If you have to drive, do it slowly. Relax! You're on vacation and we're all going to get where we're going...
• You have to be 16 to drive a golf cart. Don't let your 15-and-under kids drive golf carts. Seriously.
• Don't cross the yellow line to pass golf carts. They count as real vehicles; slow down and stay behind them.  
• For current beach access information and the weekly mileage summary, go to http://go.nps.gov/beachaccess. 
• For field summary, visit:http://go.nps.gov/fieldsummary. 
• Mileage and field summaries are updated every Thursday during the shorebird and sea turtle nesting seasons.  
• Visitors can sign up for beach safety text messages by texting “Join OBXBeachConditions” to 30890.

Check out the Ocracoke Current calendar for more events and information! We post updates on our Facebook page, too! In the event of a hurricane, Facebook updates are the fastest way for us to put out information. 

Monday, September 2nd:

LAST DAY OF Ocracoke Express Passenger Ferry Service! 

1pm: Ocracoke Pirates NPS Program @ Ocracoke Visitor Center. Learn about Blackbeard and other pirates with a park ranger.

3pm: Barrier Island Nature NPS Program @ Ocracoke Visitor Center. Join a park ranger for a talk about the wild side of the park.

8:45pm: Night Sky NPS Program @ Lifeguard Beach Ocracoke After Dark! Enjoy and evening of stars and stories on the beach! 

Tuesday, September 3rd: 

National Park Service closes at 10am. 

CANCELLED:

POSTONED: 6pm: Hyde County Board of Commissioners meeting @ Community Center. Click here to view the agenda and packets. 

Wednesday, September 4th:  

Evacuation begins at 5am for residents. Last ferries run to Cedar Island at 1pm, Hatteras at 2pm, and Swan Quarter at 3:45pm.

EVERYTHING CANCELLED; NO SCHOOL TODAY. 

Thursday, September 5th:   

Evacuation!! CANCELLED

Friday, September 6th: 

NOPE

Saturday, September 7th:

The storm should be past us by now. We will keep you posted!

Sunday, September 8th: 

Weather/flooding/damage permitted:

Services @ both churches: Ocracoke United Methodist (Sunday School 10am; service at 11am) and Ocracoke Assembly of God (Sunday School 10am, services at 11am and 6pm; also Wednesday night service at 7pm). 

Looking ahead....

Check out the Ocracoke Current calendar for more events and information! We post updates on Facebook, too! 

Send info about any events we may have missed to ocracokecurrent@gmail.com.

This story will be updated as needed with more information, so check back!