Ocracoke's Emergency Management Control Group met this afternoon for a brief discussion about TS Bertha, which is forecast to stay offshore. 

Emergency Services Director Justin Gibbs facilitated the meeting via conference phone and gave the group a storm forecast followed by a call for concerns and discussion of potential action plans. 

Forecast:

All the models for the projected track of Bertha keep the storm well off the coast in the Atlantic ocean.  Bertha is currently projected to pass closest to Ocracoke on August 5th around 8:00 a.m. with the center of the storm 315 miles from Ocracoke, and the outer periphery of sustained tropical storm force winds 257 miles from Ocracoke.  Bertha is expected to develop into a Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 MPH on the evening of August 5th, by which time the storm will be 440 miles away from Ocracoke. Ocracoke currently has 0-5% chance of experiencing some tropical storm force winds.

Potential Threats/Actions:

The main concern is for rip currents and building wave height. The NPS will red flag the lifeguard beach if the rip currents become too dangerous, otherwise no actions are expected. Ferry services are not expecting to be interrupted.  If there is a dramatic change in the forecast track, an additional control group meeting will be called.

Meanwhile…. what do you do when it rains at the beach? Leslie Lanier at Books to Be Red posted this list on her Facebook page today:

1. Hit up the Variety Store for a poncho if you didn't bring rain gear.
2. Go for a beach walk or a village walk. There is no thunder & lightening, you will be fine.
3. Bake cookies or brownies or your favorite treat, (and yes, you should bring me one for giving you the idea.)
4. Meet a stranger & make a friend. Head over to Zillie's Pantry on Ocracoke Island or the Ocracoke Coffee Co . Hell, come to Books to be Red and introduce yourself to me. We will chat...
5. Go swimming in the rain. The beach or the pool is great in the rain.
6. Make your Christmas list. Ocracoke has some of the best independently owned shops around. Get started on that list now!
7. Start a gratitude journal. I think you will quickly find rain on vacation is a first world problem. It wasn't what you came for, but, hey it isn't a hurricane and you aren't being bombed.
8. Play a game of Bananagrams…. Yep, I sell it here if you didn't bring yours.
9. Indoor forts, always a great treat for the kids. Bring out the flashlights and tell a ghost story.
10. Indoor treasure hunt. Put that big, uncluttered cottage to use. Hide a few items and send the kids looking.
11. My favorite – grab a book, a quiet corner and read that book you have been meaning to start!

Have fun!

If you have any more suggestions for rainy day fun on our little sandbar, please post them in the comments below.