Mandatory Evacuation Order In Effect

Mayor Schools has issued a proclamation declaring a State of Emergency in Emerald Isle, and a mandatory evacuation has been ordered.

A mandatory evacuation was ordered earlier today for all visitors to Emerald Isle, and remains in effect.

A mandatory evacuation has also been ordered for all residents and property owners for Friday, August 26. 

As of 8 pm on Friday night, access to Emerald Isle will be restricted, and a curfew will be in effect until further notice. No one will be permitted to access Emerald Isle after 8 pm on Friday night, and it will be illegal to be outside and off of one's own property. 

Irene Currently Projected to Make Landfall Near Emerald Isle

As of the 5 pm advisory, Hurricane Irene is currently centered approximately 460 miles due south of Emerald Isle, and is a Category 3 storm with sustained winds of 115 mph.  Irene remains a large and powerful hurricane, and is moving to the north-northwest at 14 mph.

Based on the 5 pm forecast, Emerald Isle is expected to begin experiencing tropical storm force winds around 5 pm on Friday night, and experience hurricane winds by 10 am on Saturday.  Based on the current forecast track, the eye of Irene is expected to make landfall near Emerald Isle at about 2 pm Saturday.  Irene is expected to be a strong Category 2 hurricane with sustained winds of 110 mph at landfall. 

Emerald Isle has not experienced sustained winds of 110 mph in any of the storms over the last 20 years, and based on the current forecast track the impacts of Irene will likely be worse than any previous hurricane affecting Emerald Isle in the last 20 years. 

The Town Administration Building will be open from 8 am until 5 pm on Friday, primarily to answer inquiries about Hurricane Irene and issue hurricane re-entry permits.

The Community Center will be closed Friday, and will remain closed until further notice.

The Planning and Inspections Department will be closed on Friday, however, the Town's Building Inspector will be completing previously scheduled inspections.  Other Planning and Inspections staff will be assisting the public with Hurricane Irene issues at the Town Administration Building.

Public Works and Parks and Recreation personnel will be completing final hurricane preparations during the day Friday. 

Police and Fire response will continue as normal.

The Emerald Isle Bridge

Access to Emerald Isle will be restricted as of 8 pm on Friday night.  No one will be allowed over the bridge to come in to Emerald Isle after that time, until the storm has passed and the Town has deemed it safe to re-open the Town and lift the curfew. 

The bridge will remain open for all persons wishing to leave Emerald Isle at any time, however, vehicle travel is not recommended when winds exceed 40 mph (gale force), and the individual is travelling at their own risk.  Campers, RVs, and other high profile vehicles are at greater risk, and should plan accordingly.  Please do not wait until gale force winds begin to leave Emerald Isle.  

Normal Trash Collection Schedule on Friday

Trash collection will occur on Friday on the soundside according to our normal schedule.  We expect all trash collection to be complete before 12 noon on Friday.

Yard Debris

Town staff are working hard to collect all yard debris piles in Town prior to Irene's impacts.

Please help us prevent the unnecessary loss of water from the Bogue Banks Water Company system, and also prevent hazards associated with leaking LP gas tanks!

Hurricane Shelter To Open at Newport Middle School

A hurricane shelter will open at Newport Middle School at 3 pm on Friday afternoon.  This is the closest shelter to Emerald Isle.

Pets are allowed at the shelter, but must be in a secure carrier.

Carteret County Schools Closed on Friday

All Carteret County schools are closed on Friday.  A decision for Monday will be made after Irene has passed.

Make Sure You Have Your Re-Entry Permit Now