Camden

Perdue : Damage Assessments Underway for Outer Banks

RALEIGH - State officials are feeling hopeful this morning as Hurricane Earl leaves North Carolina.

“It is going to be a beautiful Labor Day weekend in North Carolina,” said Gov. Bev Perdue. “For the most part, it appears we have dodged a bullet.”

She said local officials are out this morning conducting initial damage assessments, but the vast majority of the state is open and ready for business.

“Residents and vacationers heeded evacuation orders and everything seems to have gone according to plan,” said Doug Hoell, director of Emergency Management. “This has been a good practice for all of us as we enter what is predicted to be a busy hurricane season.”

The evacuation order was rescinded for Carteret County earlier this morning; Currituck County residents and vacationers may begin returning this morning at 11 a.m.

Officials in Dare and Hyde counties are assessing damages this morning and are expected to make a decision on re-entry later today. Much of Hyde County remains without power.

Ferries to southern beaches are open. The Cherry Branch and Pamlico ferries will resume operations at 9:45 a.m.; however, ferries north of Atlantic Beach remain closed for now.

NC Highway 12 is closed south of the Oregon Inlet Bridge due to flooding and storm surge from the hurricane. DOT crews are currently working to remove sand and assess the damage to the roadway.

Drivers are urged to use extreme caution while driving in areas that have been impacted by the storm. Be aware of debris on the ground, including possibly downed power lines. Motorists should never try to drive into standing or moving water. Flood water is deceptive and filled with silt and debris that can damage a vehicle’s brakes, transmission and undercarriage.

School systems are closed in Camden, Carteret, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, and Tyrrell counties. At the peak of the storm, as many as 397 evacuees sought refuge in 16 shelters.

Perdue urged travelers to use caution as they head back to the beach and across the state as they begin their holiday weekend.

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© 2010 NE NC News.