County feels impact of Earl

  Dare County is continuing to feel the effects of Hurricane Earl as it passes the Outer Banks. At 5 a.m. Friday morning the center of the storm was 85 miles offshore just east of Cape Hatteras. Strong winds and heavy rains will taper off by 10 a.m. as Eearl moves away.

  Everyone is advised to stay indoors until the storm passes. Dare County Emergency Management will begin damage assessment along with NCDOT and other officials.

  N.C. Rt. 12 to Hatteras Island is inaccessible until an assessment of ocean overwash can be performed in daylight. There are reports of standing water on other Dare County roads. Motorists should avoid travel because of this.

  Power outages are being reported in scattered locations throughout the county.

  Nags Head reports all routes open at this time. There was a little overwash in South Nags Head and only standing rain water in typical spots on South Old Oregon Inlet Road and South Virginia Dare Trail.