Curfew issued for Ocracoke starting at 10 p.m.

Hyde County officials reported in their Thursday evening update that a curfew is in place for Ocracoke Island from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. A county-wide ban on alcohol sales will remain in place until the order is lifted.

Hyde County is expecting sustained winds of 80-90 mph with gusts over 100 mph. Rainfall totals are predicted to be between 8-10 inches for Ocracoke Island with localized areas of up to 15 inches. Flash flooding is very likely during this event, and storm surge levels could range between 3-6 feet above ground level.

Tropical-storm-force conditions are expected to arrive around 7:00 p.m. for Ocracoke this evening and continue through Friday afternoon. Hurricane-force conditions are forecasted to begin around 5:00 a.m. Friday morning lasting several hours.

Tideland EMC, which provides service to Ocracoke, anticipates widespread power outages with restoration activities lasting several days or longer. Tideland line crews will be joined by eighty-one additional personnel from Virginia, South Carolina, and Maryland as well as in-state crews. The extra personnel have been pre-staged in area hotels and consist of line workers and tree removal crews, nearly tripling Tideland’s existing repair workforce.

Ocracoke Island Tideland members should report power outages by calling 1-800-882-1001 or by texting OUT to short code 85700. The Hyde County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will remain operational throughout the duration of this storm and the recovery process. If you have any concerns or need assistance call the EOC at 252-926-3715. If you have an emergency call 911. Continue monitoring our social media outlets and website www.hydecountync.gov for updates.