Hurricane Earl blowing to shore within the next couple hours | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Batten down the hatches Beaufort County residents—the wind and rain from Hurricane Earl is expected to begin lashing the area by 8 p.m. this evening. Stormy weather is projected to persist from then until around 6 a.m. tomorrow. Beaufort County is under a limited State of Emergency until the hurricane passes and things return back to normal.

    Hurricane Earl is the first hurricane of the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season; and, also, the first hurricane to hit North Carolina since Hurricane Isabel in 2003.

    As of 5 p.m., the National Weather Service reports that Beaufort County will not see the 115 mph eye wall of the hurricane, and the chance for the county to see hurricane conditions is less than 13 percent. Instead, Beaufort County will be inundated by a large swath of Earl’s periphery, which will bring tropical storm conditions. County residents should expect a night of sustained winds around 40 mph, and gusts of wind at 60 and 70 mph. Along the Pamlico River, one to two feet of flooding is currently expected. Around one inch of rain is forecast for Beaufort County. The eye is expected to graze the Outer Banks as Earl makes its northeast trek up the coast.



    With any hurricane, there is an increased likelihood of tornadic activity, falling trees, blowing debris, hail and flooding. Don’t be a hero: sleep downstairs, secure loose objects in the yard, don’t go out and have an adventure through the worst of it. Be safe, so you can be around tomorrow to enjoy the sunny 96 degree weather and help clean up. Beaufort County residents who feel they do not have the appropriate shelter from any of the aforementioned threats should voluntarily evacuate to either Northside High School at 7868 Free Union Church Road in Pinetown, or Southside High School at 5700 Hwy 33 E. in Chocowinity, which will serve as emergency shelters until 9 a.m. tomorrow morning. No meals will be provided at either shelter.

    “Citizens staying at either shelter may make arrangements for pets at the Betsy Bailey Nelson Animal Shelter in Washington. Pets should arrive with necessary bedding, food and medicine,” reads a news release from Beaufort County.

    Power outages may occur. Those without a generator should have flashlights, batteries, candles and matches at the ready. Coolers and ice blocks to help prevent food spoilage may be a good idea, as well. Cell phones and laptops should be fully charged, and emergency radios tuned in.

    Unless in an emergency situation, residents are restricted from driving tonight between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. Drivers caught violating this restriction could be fined $100.

    Beaufort County schools have announced a three-hour delay for tomorrow morning.

    Beaufort County Medical Center is fully prepared with a generator and supplies, reassured its Chief Executive Officer Susan Gerard at Tuesday’s hospital board meeting

    “We do these mock disaster plans to make sure we’ve got four days of water, food, linens and everything,” said Gerard.

    After hours questions about Hurricane Earl should be directed to Beaufort County Emergency Management at 252-946-2046.