As bands of heavy rain reach the Outer Banks, Dare County Emergency Management is urging people to stay off the roads and get indoors.

Driving conditions are expected to deteriorate and ocean over-wash is forecast to continue, particularly at high tide.

“With Hurricane Florence expected to slow down as it makes landfall in southeast North Carolina tonight through early Friday morning, Dare County will continue to feel effects from the storm into Saturday morning, after the storm moves away,” Dare officials said in a news release.

In Hatteras, two National Guard 4×4 ambulances and two Humvees are in position to assist Dare County EMS with calls for assistance. Each unit is staffed with two Army National Guard personnel.

Water service remains available throughout the county and there have been no reported power outages. Ocracoke, which has also been hit hard by Hurricane Florence, had scattered power outage Thursday afternoon.

A curfew goes into effect in Hyde County at 9 p.m. tonight.

Access into Dare County via the Wright Memorial Bridge is restricted to only those with a Priority One Critical Personnel Pass issued by Dare County Emergency Management or a Critical Needs Pass issued by Currituck County Emergency Management. Access will remain restricted through the storm. Damage assessment teams will be in the field as soon as conditions allow and conditions will dictate reentry procedures.

Town of Duck
The Town of Duck administrative office will remain closed until further notice. Trash collection for the Town of Duck on Friday, September 14, is cancelled.  Residential trash service is expected to resume on Monday, September 17, if conditions allow.Residential recycling collection for Monday, September 17, is cancelled.  Residential recycling service is expected to resume on Monday, September 24.

Town of Southern Shores
Town Hall will be closed due to Hurricane Florence until Monday September 17.

AFTER ANY STORM PASSES –  Please do not walk outside, especially on streets. Southern Shores’ streets are covered with tree limbs that when wind-twisted, become dangerous hanging projectiles until cleared. Clearing crews begin work after storm has passed.

Town of Nags Head 
The Outer Banks Hospital is open for emergency care. So far, Nags Head has  only experienced minor ocean overwash during high tide earlier today in the south end of town. There has been no reported loss of electrical service in Nags Head.Although roads have not yet been impacted due to flooding, we ask that everyone still remain in their homes at this time. Wind conditions in Nags Head can be found on the Jennette’s Pier website at ncaquariums.com/jennettes-pier-current-conditions.

Town of Manteo 
The administrative offices at Town Hall will be closed until Monday, September 17.

To help prevent damage to our businesses and homes, the Town of Manteo will be enforcing our “no wake” ordinance during and after this storm event.  Do not drive through flooded streets or in hazardous conditions and obey all traffic control measures. Turn around, don’t drown.

Please conserve water during periods of heavy rain and throughout the storm event. Avoid running dishwashers and clothes washers, limit the amount of water used for showering and when flushing the toilet. Make plans to complete the usage of dishwashers and clothes washers before the start of the storm.