Outer Banks Everyday Magic: Hurricane Wedding

Posted on December 15, 2011

Hurricane Evacuation

Thanks for sharing your OBX magic Elizabeth!

I have my own special OBX magic. My husband and I were married in the Outer Banks in August 1993 at the magistrates office. It was the day that they mandated an evacuation in preparation for Hurricane Emily.

We arrived at the magistrates office after getting our marriage license at the old courthouse in Manteo. When we arrived everyone was leaving and we had no witnesses. The magistrate, went out the door and retrieved two of the employees who stood up for us. After saying “you know there’s an evacuation, don’t you?”, we were married.

Afterwards we headed to the cottage we rented, and packed up not sure what to do next. We drove to Chesapeake, had lunch and talked over what to do next. A family overheard us and offered to let us have our “wedding night” at their house. Feeling a little unsure we graciously declined but felt it was a sign that we should stay nearby.

We ended up in Newport News, where we stayed a few days, and we returned to the Outer Banks when the all clear was given.

We spent the rest of the week at our “honeymoon cottage,” and we come to the Outer Banks every year at the end of August to relive our “magic”.

Such a great story! It’s amazing how much the Outer Banks touches peoples’ lives and how many awesome stories there are.

Please share your Outer Banks Everyday Magic story with us too….we’d love to hear it! You can use the form below to submit it to me.

Outer Banks: Hurricane Irene Update – 8.24.11, 9:00 PM

Posted on August 24, 2011

Hurricane Irene Projected Path - 8.24.11 - 9 PM

It sure is gorgeous on the Outer Banks right now. Perfect end of summer beach weather.

Unfortunately, that could all change very soon. Hurricanes tend to be pretty erratic. Their path can change drastically, and computer models tend to have a wide range of error. However, as the storm draws closer, the models get stronger, and Hurricane Irene is getting pretty consistent.

At this point, Hurricane Irene is a category 3 hurricane, and the projected path brings it to Ocracoke late Saturday night and into Sunday.

However, it’s too early to know for sure. We are starting to implement emergency plans. As of tomorrow (Thursday, 8.25.11) at 8:00 AM, all Dare County guests are required to evacuate.

From Dare County:

The Dare County Control Group has ordered a mandatory evacuation for all visitors throughout all of Dare County effective 8:00 a.m., Thursday, August 25.

All visitors are urged to make preparations and leave the area. Dare County Emergency Management urges visitors to take all personal belongings with them during evacuation. Other preparation steps are available at www.ReadyNC.org and www.darenc.com

Although the mandatory evacuation order is for all Dare County visitors, residents are advised to take proper precautions and make general storm preparations. This effort should include securing all loose items outdoors. Monitor local news outlets for further advisories from the National Weather Service and state and local emergency management officials.

The Dare County Control Group will meet again on Thursday, August 25 after the 5:00 p.m. storm advisory has been issued by the National Hurricane Center. Further evacuations should be anticipated as Irene moves closer to the Outer Banks.

At this time there are no new reentry stickers being issued. The previously issued stickers, for 2008/2009, are still valid. Residents can also use a North Carolina driver’s license showing a Dare County address. Property owners may use a Dare County tax bill with proper identification for reentry.

Updates and bulletins will be issued on an as needed basis and will be available on www.darenc.com and Government Access Channel 20.

From The Weather Channel:
Hurricane Irene, a large, powerful Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale, continues to plow through the Bahamas, with more impacts in its sights.

As you can see on our projected path map above, Hurricane Irene will track towards the East Coast this weekend. It is still too early to determine the exact path and the potential impact to the Outer Banks.

Adios Earl. Outer Banks Open and Ready for a Beautiful Weekend.

Posted on September 3, 2010

Sunday Surf Session

Hurricane Earl – UPDATED FRIDAY, 9/3, 11:30 AM

Seaside Vacations offices are open and Hurricane Earl is on his way out!

The latest bulletin from Dare County indicates that current conditions will allow for re-entry to the northern and mainland portions of Dare County.

“Effective 12:00 p.m Friday, September 3, the mandatory evacuation order will be lifted for areas north of Oregon Inlet including the Towns of Duck, Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk, Manteo, Nags Head, Southern Shores and the unincorporated areas of Dare County north of Oregon Inlet.” Read more of the bulletin...

The latest news from Currituck County states, “Effective at 12 noon, Sept. 3, Currituck County has lifted the mandatory evacuation of all visitors in the Currituck Outer Banks. At this time, there will be no restrictions on travel into Currituck County.”

Labor Day Weekend Guests

Seaside Vacations is gettting ready for a beautiful weekend on the Outer Banks! The forecast calls for sunny skies with temperatures in the lower 80s over Labor Day weekend and throughout the week ahead.

While we are advising arriving guests to keep their vacation plans intact, it is important to give the local officials time to assess the situation while Seaside Vacations evaluates and prepares our vacation homes for your arrival.

If you have questions about checking in, or are unsure about the condition of your Outer Banks vacation home, please call us at 866.884.0267.

For the latest local information please visit the Dare County and Currituck County websites.

Travel & Road Conditions

Currituck County Road Conditions: Corolla, the 4×4 Beaches/Carova and on the Currituck Mainland

Dare County Road Conditions: Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head and Hatteras Island

North Carolina Travel Information: Get up-to-date info on road conditions from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT).

Other Popular Weather Resources

Current Weather Conditions

Calm Before the Storm

Posted on September 2, 2010

Hurricane Earl is bearing down on the Outer Banks, but the calm before the storm was pretty classic. Yesterday was a picture perfect day with amazing overhead surf, bright sunny skies, warm water, and visitors still enjoying the beach.

Unfortunately, today is a bit different, with the initial clouds of Earl bringing overcast skies and a mandatory evacuation in effect for all of Dare County.

Please be kind to the Outer Banks Earl.

Hurricane Earl on the Way to the Outer Banks? 9.1.10 – 10:30AM

Posted on September 1, 2010

Current Storm Activities

Hurricane Earl – Updated Wednesday, 9/1, 10:30AM

As Hurricane Earl heads northwest through the Atlantic, officials are unsure of its impact on the Outer Banks.

The latest reports project Earl nearing the Outer Banks late Thursday/early Friday – passing about 80 miles off the coast. This would bring high winds, possibly hurricane force winds, heavy rain, beach erosion and moderate sound side flooding.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for all of Dare County and the North Carolina Coast from north of Surf City to Virginia, including the Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds. A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the next 36 hours.

Hurricane Earl Forecast 9.1.10

Dare County Emergency Management is closely monitoring the progress of Hurricane Earl and urges all residents and visitors to take necessary precautions for possible hurricane force winds as the storm is expected to pass approximately 80 miles off the Outer Banks early Friday morning. Bulletins will be issued as needed and available at www.darenc.com.