SEVERE WEATHER
TRAVEL UPDATES
Hurricane Ian
We are actively monitoring Hurricane Ian and will provide official town updates on this page as soon as they are available. Additional resources can be found below.
Reservation Questions? Call (866) 586-6980
Severe Weather Travel Updates
Hurricane Ian Update #3:
Although Hurricane Ian is projected to affect mainly Florida and Georgia, the storm will likely impact eastern North Carolina this weekend, bringing with it high winds and flash floods. The Town of Emerald Isle encourages the public to stay off the roads during heavy rains and follow these tips to reduce damage and stay safe. Please also share these tips with friends and family.
- Clear the lawn. Bring in garbage cans, lawn furniture, bikes, toys, hanging plants and lawn decorations. If possible, remove the swings on your child’s swing set to prevent unnecessary damage.
- Bring valuables upstairs. Move furnishings and valuables to the highest point in your house to avoid losing an irreplaceable item to water damage.
- Prepare extra lights. Keep a supply of flashlights and extra batteries handy in case of loss of power. Avoid open flames, such as candles and kerosene lamps, as a source of light.
- Unplug TVs, computers and appliances. If you lose power, unplug all major appliances, including those attached to a smart plug, to avoid a power surge when the power is turned back on.
- Do not drive or walk through standing water. Water can be deeper than it appears, and two feet of water can sweep away most cars. Six inches of moving water can sweep you away when walking.
Hurricane Ian Update #2:
Beach Driving Suspended
The Emerald Isle Police Department has announced that beach driving will be suspended Friday, September 30th, through Sunday, October 2nd, 2022, due to Hurricane Ian.
Our goal is to reopen Monday, October 3rd, or as soon as it is safe to do so.
We appreciate your understanding and support as we endeavor to always make safety a priority.
Hurricane Ian Update #1:
Yard Debris Collection, Trash Collection & Re-Entry Permits
The Town of Emerald Isle is asking property owners and residents to pause on placing yard debris by the curbside Wednesday, September 28, through Sunday, October 2, due to potential impacts from Hurricane Ian. Over the coming days, the area may experience strong winds and heavy rain as a result of Hurricane Ian, and this request could help prevent yard debris from blowing into the roadways.
Yard debris may be placed along the curbside beginning Monday, October 3. You can visit our website to view the Yard Debris Truck Tracker to see where the truck is along the route that day.
Will Trash Collection Take Place?
Due to anticipated impacts from Hurricane Ian, oceanside trash collection will be suspended on Friday, September 30, 2022.
The Town’s contractor anticipates trash collection will resume on Monday, October 3.
Do You Know Where Your Disaster Re-Entry Permit Is?
Emerald Isle property owners and residents should have their Disaster Re-Entry Permit on hand before a named storm arrives in the area.
It is the Town of Emerald Isle’s goal to return residents, property owners, and business owners back to the island as quickly and safely as possible after an evacuation. The Hurricane Re-Entry Permit Program is a tool that facilitates that goal by maximizing security while providing authorized persons the quickest possible access to their properties.
The cost for a re-entry permit is $25. You can learn more about this program and apply online under our Hurricane Information page.
Additional Resources
RIP CURRENT SAFETY
Rip currents are very powerful channels of water that move at very fast speeds away from the shore and can quickly pull even a strong swimmer out to sea. It is important for all swimmers to know the signs of a rip current and avoid those areas. A few indicators provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) include:
- A channel of churning, choppy water
- Notable differences in water color
- Lines of foam, seaweed or debris moving steadily seaward
- A break in the incoming wave pattern
If caught in an ocean rip current:
- Remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly.
- Never fight against the current.
- Think of the rip current like a treadmill that cannot be turned off, but that you can step to the side of.
- Swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline. When out of the current, swim at an angle, away from the current, towards shore.
- If you are unable to swim out of the rip current, float or calmly tread water. When out of the current, swim towards shore.
- If you are still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself by waving your arms and yelling for help.
