There will be state of emergency declared for Ocracoke and the Hyde County mainland, effective at 5 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24. A mandatory evacuation has been issued for all visitors to Ocracoke and a voluntary evacuation has been issued for all residents of Ocracoke beginning at 5 a.m.on Wednesday. There will be a mandatory evacuation for all tourists and residents on Ocracoke, beginning at 5 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 25. During the state of emergency, the North Carolina Ferry Division will be on a first-come, first -served basis for all vehicles going to Hatteras, Swan Quarter, and Cedar Island, pending road conditions in those receiving counties. Schedules and toll collections are suspended during the evacuation order. Emergency services, government agencies, commercial vendors delivering essential groceries and supplies, and permanent residential traffic as indicated by purple and green stickers will be allowed to travel to Ocracoke on Wednesday, Aug. 24, only via air and marine traffic. Local and state law enforcement may restrict access without appropriate credentials. Before leaving, residents and guests in this area should take precautions such as moving cars and equipment to higher ground. Please pick up potential debris that could become unsecure during the storm. People with medical needs and unique situations are urged to consider their options. Hyde County public safety services will cease after winds reach 50 mph sustained. Please tune in to local radio 90.1 FM on the island, the National Weather Service, and local television reports. Notices will be posted at the Ocracoke Post Office and Ocracoke Variety Store as, well as on the Hyde County Public Information Facebook and Twitter accounts. Hyde County Emergency Services continues to review the latest weather forecasts, is coordinating with the state and nearby counties, and advising citizens on possible actions to protect themselves and their property. Further updates will be issued on Wednesday, Aug. 24 after evaluating the updated storm information.

August 23, 2011 | Local News | By: Irene Nolan

By IRENE NOLAN By IRENE NOLAN There will be state of emergency declared for Ocracoke and the Hyde County mainland, effective at 5 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24. A mandatory evacuation has been issued for all visitors to Ocracoke and a voluntary evacuation has been issued for all residents of Ocracoke beginning at 5 a.m.on Wednesday. […]

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FOR MORE INFORMATION The National Hurricane Center: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/index.shtml? National Weather Service local forecast office in Newport, N.C.: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/mhx/ Weather Channel’s Hurricane Central: http://www.weather.com/weather/hurricanecentral

August 22, 2011 | Local News | By: Irene Nolan

By IRENE NOLAN By IRENE NOLAN Most residents on Hatteras and Ocracoke were watching Tropical Storm Irene’s progress and forecast through the weekend, but today our attention was riveted to now Hurricane Irene, the ninth named storm and the first hurricane of the 2011 tropical season. What looked early on to be a Florida – […]

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Rounding up some news on the Park Service’s proposed ORV rule

August 12, 2011 | Editor's Blog | By: Irene Nolan

Yesterday afternoon on the government regulations website, regulations.gov, there were 238 public comments on the National Park Service?s proposed off-road rule for the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. They are apparently all from individuals.  There were no organizations listed as having submitted comments, but the environmental groups that sued the Park Service in 2007 ? Defenders […]

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FOR MORE INFORMATION On North Carolina wildfires: http://www.inciweb.org/state/34/ On the Dismal Swamp wildfire in southeastern Virginia: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2458/

August 11, 2011 | Local News | By: Irene Nolan

North Carolina wildfire situation improving, but new fire erupts in Dismal Swamp By IRENE NOLAN By IRENE NOLAN By IRENE NOLAN The Pains Bay wildfire in Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge on the Dare County mainland is steadily coming under control. The fire is considered 100 percent contained, but smoke and flames were still erupting […]

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Should local watermen be allowed to sell their harvest at local farmers’ markets? WITH A READER POLL

July 29, 2011 | Editor's Blog | By: Irene Nolan

Joanne Throne of Avon was the moving force behind the formation of the Hatteras Island non-profit group, which calls itself Coastal Harvesters. She envisioned bringing fresh, locally produced food to residents and visitors. Farmers would not only sell their fresh produce but local watermen would sell their fresh catches. This falls in line with a […]

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