9AM Update from Dare County:

Bridges and roads are open in Dare County as Tropical Storm Hanna continues along a path which will impact the North Carolina coast through 6:00 p.m. Saturday. A Tropical Storm Warning continues for Dare County and a Tornado Watch is in effect until 1:00 p.m. Saturday. The Governor of North Carolina has declared a state of emergency.

Dare County Emergency Management recommends staying indoors as the storm passes through the area and drive only if absolutely necessary. No major flooding is expected. However, this afternoon from 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. there could be minor flooding soundside and on highway NC 12 south of Oregon Inlet. Conditions exist for possible downed power lines and residents and visitors should use caution. Rough surf conditions are expected and a high threat of rip currents in ocean waters.

Ferry service has been temporarily suspended between Hatteras Village and Ocracoke. Further updates are available by calling 1-800-BY-FERRY.

All Saturday activities for Dare County Schools are cancelled.

The Dare County Animal Shelter will be closed to the public on Saturday but available for emergency calls.

The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island will be closed Saturday but will reopen Sunday, September 7.

Power outages are expected to be minimal and isolated, however, if you experience power outages contact your power company to report the outage. The Northern Beaches and Manteo should contact Dominion North Carolina Power at 1-888-667-3000, Hatteras Island should contact Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative at 866-511-9862, and Mainland Dare residents should contact Tideland Electric at 252-943-3046.

The National Park Service has closed the Visitors Centers for Bodie Island, Fort Raleigh, Hatteras Island, Ocracoke Island and the Wright Brothers National Memorial. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is closed and all seashore ocean beaches are closed to off-road vehicle use.

The campgrounds for Frisco, Oregon Inlet, and Ocracoke remain closed. For more information on National Park Service closures visit www.nps.gov/caha.
Updates on the storm, Dare County Emergency Management’s level of readiness and safety recommendations can be obtained in the following ways: www.darenc.com, Cable Channel 20, and NOAA Weather Radio.

Dare County Emergency Management will continue to closely monitor the progress of the storm and issue advisories as the situation warrants.