The National Weather Service in Newport/Morehead City, N.C. has issued a Coastal Flood Warning for all areas of Dare County.
The Tropical Storm Warning that was issued by the National Hurricane Center on the morning of August 30, 2023, remains in effect. A Tropical Storm Warning indicates that tropical storm conditions—including sustained winds of 39 mph to 73 mph—are expected within 36 hours or less.
Travel on N.C. Highway 12 on Hatteras Island may be impacted by ocean overwash, especially during high tides. Those in vulnerable oceanfront homes that have the potential to be surrounded by ocean water due to no existing dune structure should relocate. Actions should also be taken to protect vehicles and property parked or stored in areas that may flood.
Strong winds and rough surf will also result in an increased risk of strong rip currents. Even the most experienced swimmers are advised to stay out of the ocean due to the dangerous surf conditions that are occurring along all Dare County beaches.
Residents and visitors throughout Dare County should expect:
- Increasing winds that should peak at 35-45 mph with gusts of up to 55 mph on Thursday, August 31, 2023 and diminish slowly on Friday, September 1, 2023. Actions should be taken now to secure loose property to keep it from becoming a projectile hazard.
- 4-10 inches of rain, with amounts as high as 15 inches in some areas, could lead to flash flooding and standing water on roadways that may impact travel.
- Potential tornado activity. Always have multiple ways to receive weather alerts, especially at night.
Several Dare County departments and offices will operate on a modified schedule on Thursday, August 31, 2023.
However, unless mentioned below, all Dare County offices will operate on a normal schedule.
Dare County Public Works:
- Dare County Public Works has announced that trash collection will operate on a regular schedule until further notice.
- After your trash is collected on Thursday, August 31, 2023, please secure your trash cans ahead of the severe weather.
Dare County Water Department:
- All Dare County Water Department offices will be open on Thursday, August 31, 2023. The Cape Hatteras Water Plant office (50225 Water Association Road, Frisco, NC 27936) will be closed to the public on Friday, September 1, 2023.
- Due to the forecasted heavy rains within the next 48 hours, residents of Stumpy Point may experience high level alarms on their septic systems. Personnel are making preparations prior to the storm to ensure the lids are secured and as watertight as possible.
- Stumpy Point customers with any alarm issues should be made aware that alarms are temporary until the flood waters recede. Customers can attempt to silence the alarm by placing their hand on the left side of the control panel where indicated, and it is not necessary to open the panel to do this. Stumpy Point personnel will address any alarms that remain after the flood waters have reached normal levels on Friday, September 1, 2023.
Dare County Parks & Recreation:
Hatteras Island Division (Fessenden Center):
- All fitness classes, water aerobics and water yoga, pickleball and open gym at the Fessenden Center in Buxton are canceled for Thursday, August 31, 2023. The adult luncheon that was scheduled to be held on Thursday, August 31, 2023, has been postponed until Thursday, September 7, 2023.
- Scheduled classes are expected to resume on Friday, September 1, 2023, depending on weather and road conditions. Should there be any changes to the schedule for Friday, September 1, 2023, that information will be posted on DareNC.gov/Idalia.
- For more information, please contact the Fessenden Center at 252-475-5650.
Northern Beach Division:
- All indoor and outdoor activities for the Northern Beach Division—including open gym, football practice, the after-school program and pickleball—have been canceled for Thursday, August 31, 2023.
- These scheduled programs and activities are expected to resume on Friday, September 1, 2023. Should there be any changes to the schedule for Friday, September 1, 2023, that information will be posted on DareNC.gov/Idalia.
- For more information, please contact the Northern Beach office at 252-475-5850.
Roanoke Island/Mainland Division:
- All indoor and outdoor activities at the Roanoke Island/Mainland Division—including open gym, football practice and pickleball—have been canceled for Thursday, August 31, 2023.
- These programs and activities are scheduled classes are expected to resume on Friday, September 1, 2023. Should there be changes to the schedule for Friday, September 1, 2023, that information will be posted on DareNC.gov/Idalia.
- For additional information, please contact the Roanoke Island/Mainland Division office at 252-475-5910.
Dare County Public Services:
Virginia S. Tillett Community Center:
- Revised hours for the Virginia S. Tillett Community Center on Thursday, August 31, 2023 will be 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- For more information, please contact the Virginia S. Tillett Community Center at 252-475-9270.
Thomas A. Baum Senior Center:
- All scheduled programming at the Baum Senior Center—including fitness classes—have been canceled for Thursday, August 31, 2023.
- Scheduled programs and fitness classes are expected to resume on Friday, September 1, 2023. Should there be any changes to the schedule for Friday, September 1, 2023, that information will be posted on DareNC.gov/Idalia.
- For more information, please call the Baum Senior Center at 252-475-5635.
Hurricane Preparation Resources:
To sign up to receive customized emergency alerts—including severe weather watches and warnings, public safety and emergency-related warnings, countywide evacuation orders and other time-critical notifications—please visit www.OBXAlerts.com.
To sign up to receive alerts if water levels in your area begin to rise due to storm surge, visit www.FIMAN.NC.gov and select the flood gauge(s) located in the waterway you’d like to monitor in real time.
For updates regarding road conditions, please visit DriveNC.gov and follow North Carolina Department of Transportation and NCDOT NC 12 on Facebook. The Dare County Sheriff’s Office also shares local road condition updates on their Facebook page.
For more information about how you can protect yourself and your property this hurricane season, please visit ReadyNC.gov, DareNC.gov/EM or follow Dare County Emergency Management on Twitter @DareCountyEM.