October 4, 2016 7:00 p.m.
Hyde County Monitoring Progress of Hurricane Matthew
The Hyde County Board of Commissioners have issued a State of Emergency for Hyde County, N.C.
A mandatory evacuation for Ocracoke Island visitors will begin at 5 a.m., Wednesday, October 5, 2016. Resident and non-resident property owners, vendors and critical infrastructure providers will be permitted to travel to and from the island on Wednesday, October 5, 2016. Please be prepared to show documentation of the aforementioned statuses to gain access to the island on Wednesday, October 5, 2016.
A mandatory evacuation for Ocracoke Island property owners including resident and non-resident will begin at 5 a.m., Thursday, October 6, 2016. Only emergency personnel and vendors will be granted access to Ocracoke Island on Thursday, October 6, 2016.
All ferries to and from Ocracoke Island will run as scheduled on Wednesday, October 5, 2016 and Thursday, October 6, 2016. No ferries will run on Friday, October 7, 2016. Visitors and property owners both resident and non-resident are encouraged to evacuate as early as possible to ensure safe travels to their intended destinations.
A decision on mandatory evacuation for Hyde County Mainland is expected to be determined on Wednesday, October 5, 2016 and will be communicated if necessary.
The Hyde County Emergency Services Department is currently monitoring Hurricane Matthew. Hurricane Matthew is forecast to be a Category Two Hurricane that has the potential to pass through or very near to Eastern NC. This is a storm that should be taken very seriously for its potential to result in catastrophic impacts for portions of the area. Regardless of exact track or strength there is the potential for dangerous and life threatening impacts across the entire area.
Matthew has the potential to make landfall in South Carolina or North Carolina sometime between Friday, October 7 and Sunday, October 9, 2016. Matthew is forecasted to bring dangerous and potentially life threatening storm surge and high surf; damaging strong winds that could produce prolonged power outages; heavy rainfall and flash flooding; tornadoes; extremely dangerous conditions for boaters; and rip currents.
Closely monitor the forecast for Matthew in the coming days, and be prepared to take action to protect yourself and your property. Secure your home. Board up windows and secure lawn furniture, mowers, hanging plants, trash cans and other loose items in the yard. Check on your neighbors, particularly the elderly or disabled.
Make plans now for how you will deal with the potential threats and impacts. Your plans and preparedness measures should include:
- Have a disaster preparedness kit ready, and take your emergency supplies kit with you when you evacuate;
- Pack important family documents in a waterproof container;
- Have a place to go, such as the home of a family member or friend, motel or shelter;
- Notify family or friends of your plans, when you are leaving and where you are going;
- Be familiar with area's evacuation routes;
- Fill your car with gas;
- Bring extra cash as banks may be closed and ATMs may not work;
- Do not panic;
- Arrive safely at your destination.
Please be advised, flood waters may contain sewage and other harmful contaminants. Keep children and pets out of flood waters.
Please stay alert of further updates from Hyde County Public Information.