Dare County urges residents to shelter in place; Curfew and restricted access in effect at 8 p.m. for Hatteras Island

Per a Thursday evening update, Dare County Emergency Management stated that the time to safely evacuate has passed, and Emergency Management is advising those in Dare County to shelter in place until the storm passes. Conditions will deteriorate overnight and remain hazardous through Friday afternoon.

Curfews for all areas of Dare County, except for the Town of Kitty Hawk, will begin at 8:00 p.m. until noon on Friday. This curfew may be extended based on weather conditions.

Access to Dare County will be restricted at 8:00 p.m. with law enforcement stationed at checkpoints.

According to the National Weather Service:

• Storm surge from ocean and soundside flooding is estimated at four to seven feet above the ground, not including wave action. Ocean flooding will increase tonight and continue through Friday night. Soundside flooding is forecasted to begin late Friday morning through Friday afternoon, as the storm passes and winds shift direction.
• Winds are forecasted to reach 70 to 95 mph with gusts to 110 mph. Winds will increase overnight and are forecasted to reach hurricane force early Friday morning and remain in areas of the county through midday Friday.
• Rainfall of 6 to 12 inches is forecasted through Friday afternoon with locally higher amounts possible.
• Tornadoes are possible as Hurricane Dorian approaches, mainly this evening.

Monitor updated local weather forecasts, watches and warnings from the National Weather Service at www.weather.gov/mhx.