Archive for category: News

Last week, the remnants of Hurricane Michael tore quickly through the Outer Banks, an unexpected, overnight fury of wind and flooding. After all of our community’s wise preparations for Florence, the ferocity of fast-moving Michael took most of us by surprise. 

While many Outer Banks neighborhoods escaped relatively unscathed, many of our friends were badly flooded. In Colington, Manteo, Wanchese, Kitty Hawk Village, and sound side Kill Devil Hills, wind-driven floodwater wrecked cars and reached new heights in ground-level abodes. 

Our damage here does not compare with the devastation in Florida, but many of our Dare County neighbors here lost their housing, cars, furniture, appliances, and more. The floodwaters have made homes unsafe, unclean, and uninhabitable. 

As with other storms, it is the most vulnerable in our community who were hit hardest: people without insurance, the elderly, the disabled, and residents in mobile homes, paycheck-to-paycheck families who must rent in the most flood-prone areas — those with little or no savings or safety net.

In partnership with Dare County and Interfaith Community Outreach, the Outer Banks Community Foundation has once again activated our Disaster Relief Fund to help those in need who have suffered damage from Michael. Dare County has received no federal or state government funds to assist our local families in need; it’s up to our community to pull together and help each other.

We need your support to help those in need. 

If you are in a position to help, please assist your neighbors today with a tax-deductible gift to our Disaster Relief Fund at www.obcf.org/donate. Every penny of every donation will help people in Dare County purchase supplies, pay bills, clean up, and make their homes safe and habitable. We take no fee or cut from your contribution. 

Post Date: 10/12/2018 2:38 PM

The Dare County Department of Health & Human Services wants to ensure your safety and well-being as clean up efforts begin from Tropical Storm Michael.

Never assume that a water-damaged building is safe. Going into a building that has been flooded, even after the water is gone, can present public health hazards that can cause injury, illness or even death. Follow these instructions to avoid the following hazards:

Electrical hazards – Do not enter a flooded or wet building if the power is on. If any electrical circuits have gotten wet, turn off the power at the main breaker or fuse box.

Structural damage – Do not enter a building if the framing or foundation is damaged. Look carefully before you enter. Leave immediately if shifting or unusual noises signal a possible collapse of the building.

Hazardous materials – Dangerous materials found in flooded buildings may include pesticides, fuel oil, gasoline, chemicals and other substances that might have been brought in or spilled by flood waters. Damaged buildings may also contain asbestos and lead-based paint, which can cause health problems during cleanup.

Animal and insect related hazards – Look carefully before entering a building to determine if there are displaced animals in the building such as dogs and cats, raccoons and rodents. Watch out for snakes and insects such as wasps, fire ants, and mosquitoes.

Injuries – Falling objects, broken or damaged building components and slick surfaces can cause injuries, broken bones, and cuts. Lifting heavy objects can cause back injuries and muscle strains.

Biological hazards – Bacteria, viruses, fungi, (mold and mildew) and other microorganisms can cause illness when you breathe them in, take them into your body through your mouth, or take them in through non-intact skin. Bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms may be left indoors by floodwater, while mold and mildew may grow indoors after the floodwater has receded.

Stay safe while you work
Wear a hardhat and safety goggles when there is a danger of falling materials. Wear leather work gloves, rubber boots or hard-soled boots, preferably with steel toes, and protective clothing such as heavy pants, long sleeves and gloves when cleaning up debris. Use an insect repellent containing DEET to reduce chances of mosquito bites and to reduce risk of mosquito-borne illnesses such as West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

If you get a cut or a puncture wound that is exposed to floodwater or the dirt it leaves behind, see a doctor. Make sure your tetanus immunization is up-to-date before you work on the house. Once immunized, adults should have a routine “booster” every ten years. Residents can make an appointment for a tetanus shot at Public Health Division locations by calling 252.475.5003.

Additional Assistance
Both our Public Health and Social Services divisions are open from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday- Friday.

If you need to be connected to resources in the community for assistance, including clean-up efforts, please contact the Social Services Division at 252.475.5500. If you have public health needs, please contact the Public Health Division at 252.475.5003. Additional information can also be found at www.darenc.com/stormready.

FR. Klaus Charitable Foundation
Annual Pancake Charity Dinner

ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT INTERFAITH COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Please join us for a delicious Pancake Dinner consisting of Pancakes, Sausage or Bacon, Home Fries or Grits, and a drink, with all proceeds benefit Interfaith Community Outreach (ICO)

September 25, 2018
5:30pm-7:30pm
Kitty Hawk Stack ‘Em High
Pancakes, Sausage or Bacon, Home Fries or Grits, and a Drink
Donation: $8.00 per ticket

All proceeds benefit Interfaith Community Outreach

Contact ICO at 252-480-0070 for tickets or additional information.  See you there!

Due to Hurricane Florence – Office will be closed Tuesday , Sep 10 – Sep 16th. If there is an emergency call 911 or Social Services at 475-5500

A Hurricane Watch and Storm Surge Watch is in effect for Dare County.  

A Hurricane Watch means hurricane-force winds are possible somewhere within this area within the next 48 hours. A Storm Surge Watch means life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, is possible somewhere within this area within the next 48 hours  

A mandatory evacuation order for all visitors and residents on Hatteras Island will be in effect beginning Monday, September 10 at 12 p.m. A mandatory evacuation for residents and visitors in other areas of Dare County goes into effect beginning Tuesday, September 11 at 7 a.m. For the latest information regarding Hurricane Florence, visit darenc.com/florence. Dare County Administrative Offices will close at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, September 11 and remain closed until further notice. The Dare County Emergency Operations Center is activated for the storm and can be reached at 252.475.5655.

NC Emergency Management has announced the opening of a shelter for Dare County residents beginning Tuesday, September 11 at 2:00 p.m. at Knightdale High School located at 1001 Bryan Caulk Lane, Knightdale, NC 27545. This will be a pet friendly shelter and Dare County residents must show a valid ID with a Dare County address for entry. All pet friendly shelters require vaccination records for each pet. While in the shelter, owners are responsible for the feeding, care, clean-up, and behavior of their pets.

A last minute decision to compete in the 29th annual Alice Kelly Memorial Ladies Only Billfish Tournament paid off for Off Duty, a 80 Viking run by Capt. Mike Everly. The all-female angler team released two white marlin, a sailfish and finally a blue marlin at 2:37 Sunday afternoon to add an extra 50 points, earning the Top Boat honors for the tournament. The Alice Kelly format is release only and based on time. The team consisted of Kristina Shields, Deb Mears and Kristen Constantineau, with mates Rob Constantineau and Daniel Longstreet. Off Duty is based in Stuart, Florida and is owned by Paul Mears.

Sensation, with Capt. Dale Britt at the helm of the 52 Jarrett Bay, was named the second-place boat, also with four releases (two whites and sails apiece). General, a 55 Buddy Cannady, was third based on time, also with four billfish. Wade Fickling runs the boat.

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