Be Prepared

Thursday, July 3, 2014 - 17:56 Press Release

Curfew and alcohol sales ban countywide; call for energy conservation on Ocracoke.

Hurricane Arthur Advisory #6 from Hyde County.

As Hurricane Arthur approaches the North Carolina coast Hyde County is bracing for potential impacts of the storm. Hyde County officials have announced a curfew for Ocracoke Island between 8:00 p.m. tonight and 8:00 a.m. Friday morning. A curfew for mainland Hyde will be effective as of 10:00 p.m. tonight through 8:00 a.m. Friday morning. Sale of alcohol in Hyde County is prohibited between 5:00 p.m. today through 8:00 a.m. Friday. View the proclamation here.

For those staying on Ocracoke Island during the storm please take all necessary precautions. Secure loose outdoor objects and be well stocked with drinking water, non-perishable food items, and batteries. Move your car to high ground and do not park your car under a house. Disconnect your battery if your car might be flooded. Turn off your hot water heater. Open fires and fireworks are not allowed on Ocracoke at any time. Go to ReadyNC.org for ideas on emergency supply kits and more information about hurricane preparedness. Please be alert, be prepared, and be smart!

As power outages are likely, Tideland EMC strongly urges all customers on Ocracoke conserve energy throughout the storm limiting usage to only refrigeration and fans. Ocracoke residents and guests will have to practice extreme conservation efforts for Tideland's generator to successfully energize the Island. Please share this message with guests staying in cottages and other lodging facilities.

Hurricane Arthur is expected to be a Category 2 hurricane when it passes over or near the North Carolina coast. Tropical storm force winds are expected to affect Ocracoke Island beginning tonight at 8:00 p.m. and subside around 8:00 a.m. Friday. Hurricane force winds are expected between 2:00-4:00 a.m. Friday with peak wind projected around 103 MPH at 3:00 a.m. Friday. 15-20 foot seas are expected with storm surge projections ranging between 0-5 feet above ground. Isolated tornados are also possible over portions of coastal North Carolina through Friday morning.

Reminder: There is no pre-equipped storm shelter on Ocracoke and people who choose to stay should be prepared to be self-supporting. County officials ask all lodging establishments on Ocracoke take every effort to keep their clients out of harms way from 8:00 p.m. Thursday to 10:00 a.m. Friday morning.