Evacuation Blues

Nobody likes an evacuation. It's a hard decision to make, and if you're wondering who makes it, here's the answer: the Ocracoke control group. The control group is made up of county peeps (emergency management, county manager, commissioner), NPS rangers, EMS, deputies, ferry division officials, reps from utilities (water, electric, propane, gas) and Ocracoke business owners. They consider every minute detail of an evacuation's impact. Or the impact of not having an evacuation and having thousands of extra people here during stressful situations.

The control group puts their heads together and makes a recommendation to the county commissioners who vote to make it happen. Once it's signed by the head commissioner, Earl Pugh, it's official. Word always gets out (leaks happen, just ask the White House) before the county puts out the official press release. Just the fact that the control group is meeting means evacuation is on the table. Facebook and the old-fashioned coconut telegraph swirl with evacuation rumors. The gets around. And people start reacting to it.

Nobody likes an evacuation. July is peak season. Ocracoke businesses are going to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars. Ocracoke's seasonal workforce is losing a major chunk of income. For some local peeps, bouncing back will be difficult. This could ruin a small business or bring on a lean winter. 

Nobody likes an evacuation. You hate to leave. That's totally understandable. We know it's your vacation and that you love Ocracoke and have waited all year to be here. We hate that you have to go. Really, we do. But once the evacuation order is issued, you need to go. The mood changes fast around here. All grumbling aside, Ocracoke loves our visitors. We love you. Now go home.

This morning, Hyde County Public Information put out the following statement: "The Hyde County Sheriff's Office is supporting the realties in their effort to remove the few remaining visitors. Those visitors that do not comply with the order to leave this morning will be issued citations."

Please go. 

More from Hyde County: "NCDOT Ferry Division reports they have evacuated 3,704 people and 1,372 cars from Ocracoke as of 8:00 AM this morning and there are currently no waits at the terminals."

It's a good time to go. We'll welcome you back with open arms just as soon as we can.