Earl approaches Dare

  Dare County Emergency Management is closely following the approach of Hurricane Earl. Based on the latest forecast, the storm will pas about 75 miles off the Outer Banks at about 3 a.m. Friday morning.

  Early Thursday evening, Hatteras began feeling the impact of the storm’s approach. Throughout the evening, weather conditions will progressively deteriorate, first for Hatteras Island, then for the northern portions of the county, until Earl leaves the area around daybreak Friday morning.

  Hurricane Earl will produce high seas, ocean overwash, dangerous rip currents and strong winds. A hurricane watch is in effect for all of Dare County and the North Carolina coast. A state of emergency has been issued by the county, Gov. Bev Perdue and President Obama.

  In the town of Duck, residential trash collection scheduled for Friday, Sept. 3, has been canceled. Residential trash will be picked up on the next regularly-scheduled day, Monday, Sept. 6. Commercial trash pick-up is not affected.

  In Kill Devil Hills, the main office and support divisions will operate on a limited schedule Friday based on weather conditions and staff availability. For information, call 449-5300. Residential solid waste will not be collected Friday, and the recycle center will be closed. The recycle center is expected to operate on its normal schedule Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

  Kitty Hawk has issued a mandatory evacuation for all residents on the oceanfront.

  Nags Head advises those staying in the area during the storm that they may lose electricity and water services. The regular trash collection schedule will resume Saturday, weather and conditions permitting.

Baum Center activities are canceled until Tuesday, Sept. 7, at 8:30 a.m.

  The Dare County Water Department, as a precautionary measure before the storm, has valved off water service on oceanside streets in northern Rodanthe, including Corbina Dr., Southgate Dr., Beacon Rd., East Point Dr. and America Dr. The Hatteras water tank will be valved off at the base of the tower, and the Hatteras distribution system will operate off the Buxton elevated storage tank. Once the storm has passed, all valves will be reopened pending repairs of any leaks or breaks.

  In order to keep 911 phone lines open for emergency communications, do not call 911 for general inquiries. 911 should be used only for emergencies.

  Helpful contact information:

  Dare County Emergency Management, 475-5655 or www.darenc.com

  N.C. Ferry Division, 1-800-BY-FERRY or www.ncferry.org.

  Dominion North Carolina Power, 1-800-637-3000 or www.dom.com

Cape Hatteras Electric, 1-866-511-9862 or www.chec.coop

Tideland Electric, 1-800-637-1079 or 1-800 -882-1001 or www.tidelandemc.com

  North Carolina Road conditions, 1-877-DOT-4YOU or www.ncsmartlink.org 

  North Carolina Highway Patrol, 1-800-441-6127

  Virginia Department of Transportation, 1-800-367-7623