Tourists Evacuated From NC Barrier Islands Ahead Of Hurricane

CAPE LOOKOUT, NC — Tourists visiting the Cape Lookout National Seashore off the coast of Beaufort, North Carolina, must evacuate by Tuesday morning ahead of Hurricane Dorian, according to the National Park Service. Dare County has also ordered evacuations for tourists and residents.

“In advance of Hurricane Dorian’s arrival, the park is initiating evacuations of the barrier islands and closure of park facilities and services,” park officials said.

The order comes as the state readies for the monster storm, which is expected to parallel the southeastern coast, downshifting to a Category 2 storm by the time it makes its final approach toward the Outer Banks of North Carolina by early Thursday, state emergency officials said.

“The probability of direct impacts to North Carolina are increasing for later this week,” NC Emergency Management said Monday. “According to the latest forecast, conditions should begin deteriorating Wednesday afternoon and evening with the greatest impacts expected Thursday into Friday.”

In Dare County, North Carolina, mandatory evacuations for all visitors and tourists begin at noon Tuesday, Sept. 3; for Dare County residents, mandatory evacuations take effect at 6 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, officials with the county's Emergency Management department said.

A mandatory evacuation has been issued for all Dare County visitors beginning Tuesday, September 3 at 12:00 p.m. A mandatory evacuation order for all Dare County residents becomes effective at 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 4. https://t.co/iX6Omtl9tv #OBX #OuterBanks
— Dare County EM (@DareCountyEM) September 2, 2019

By Monday morning, however, dangerous rip currents were already being seen further north along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, prompting a warning to stay out of the water.

“Rip currents on high risk days are life-threatening to anyone entering the surf,” the Cape Hatteras National Seashore said Monday morning. “Dangerous surf conditions and hazardous seas are expected to continue into the weekend. We do not recommend entering the ocean.”

Rough surf and dangerous currents spawned from the hurricane are believed to have already claimed a life along the North Carolina coast, after a 61-year-old man drowned near Hatteras Village Sunday evening, according to the Charlotte Observer. A witness spotted the man, who was not wearing a flotation device, in distress while he was swimming. Rescuers attempted to resuscitate the man but “CPR efforts were unsuccessful,” NPS said in a statement.

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The National Park Service initiated its Hurricane Incident Action Plan for Cape Lookout on noon Sept. 1, and said it would remain in place until after the storm.

Cape Lookout Park closings include:

• Cape Lookout Lighthouse, Keepers' Quarters Museum, Light Station Visitor Center and other island facilities: Closing at the end of the day on Sunday, September 1. These areas and facilities will remain closed until after the storm.
• Harkers Island Visitor Center and Beaufort Visitor Information Center: Closing at the end of the day on Sunday, September 1. These facilities will remain closed until after the storm.
• Park Will Close to the Public: Tuesday 9/3 at 10:00 AM - all islands will be evacuated or in the process of evacuation by 12:00 (noon).
• Island Express Ferry Service will shut down no later than Tuesday 9/3 at 10:00 AM based on efforts to get all campers off the Islands. No passengers will be taken over on Tuesday 9/3. No new campers will be taken over effective Monday 9/2.
• Vehicle Ferries will shut down Tuesday 9/3 once all vehicles are off the islands. No new arrivals will be taken to the islands after today, Sunday 9/1.
• Cabins Will Close: Tuesday 9/3 at 10:00 AM. Reservations will be canceled Tuesday night through Friday and refunded. Additional cancellations will be based on what the storm does and will likely be extended.

• Evening at the Cape programs: Reservations for these programs, scheduled for Friday, Sept. 6 and Saturday, Sept. 7, will be canceled and refunded.

SEE ALSO:

• Hurricane Dorian: ‘Catastrophic’ Storm Continues Path Toward NC
• Hurricane Dorian: Bahamas Battered As Storm Threatens U.S. Coast
• Some Hurricane Dorian Evacuation Routes Inadequate, Study Shows
• 7.3 Million U.S. Homes At Risk From Hurricane Storm Surge: Report