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Evacuation ordered for island on NC’s Outer Banks

By WTOP Staff

BRUCE SMITH
Associated Press

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Emergency officials are ordering a mandatory evacuation of a fragile barrier island along North Carolina’s Outer Banks as Tropical Storm Arthur approaches.

Dare County officials said Wednesday that the mandatory evacuation of Hatteras Island would begin at 5 a.m. Thursday. After that time, no one will be allowed on the island.

The officials said residents and out-of-town visitors who may already have arrived for the Fourth of July weekend should evacuate during daylight hours before the tropical storm brings high winds, rough seas, dangerous rip currents and possible flooding on N.C. 12. The two-lane highway is the only way on and off the island other than ferries to the south.

The National Hurricane Center has issued a hurricane warning for all of Dare County. Arthur is expected to become a hurricane by Thursday.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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