Effective at 5:00 am Monday, September 25, 2017, the Hyde County Board of Commissioners have declared a state of emergency for all of Hyde County and a mandatory visitor evacuation of Ocracoke Island due to the threat of hurricane Maria. Direct impacts from the storm include tropical storm force winds and storm surge of 2-4 feet along the Outer Banks.

During a state of emergency, all NC DOT ferry reservations are canceled and tolls are waived. Boarding the ferries will be on a first come first serve basis. Due to the temporary fortification in place after Jose on Hwy 12, impacts may occur in advance of the storm, we recommend starting your evacuation as soon as possible and utilizing the sound route ferries when evacuating. Based on current forecast holds, wind speeds could cause the suspension of ferry services early Tuesday morning, potentially making Monday night the last runs available. Decisive action is necessary for Ocracoke visitors to insure you arrive at your destination safely.

All of Hyde County is currently under a tropical storm watch. Remember that impacts occur well beyond the cone of error and tropical storm force winds extend up to 230+ miles from the center of the storm. Please make sure you have multiple ways to receive weather alerts, as there is the potential for severe weather. In addition, everyone needs ensure that their household hurricane preparedness plans are in place. You should be able to sustain yourself and your family for up to 72 hours after a storm. Please start to secure all outdoor furniture and any other loose objects. Any updates regarding Hyde County can be found on our web page and social media outlets.