Emergency Preparedness

Information You Should Know

In Duck, there are various types of emergency events that can occur. The majority of these are weather-related.

The official Atlantic Hurricane Season goes from June 1 through November 30 and typically peaks late August through the month of September. The area is also prone to an occasional strong northeaster (nor’easter) that can occur during the winter months. Assemble or restock your disaster supply kit with essential supplies to sustain your family and your pets for up to three days. Have an evacuation plan ready to execute, if and when needed. Go to readync.gov for preparedness information.

Video: Dare County’s Emergency Decision-Making Process

2020 Storm Preparedness Newsletter

Please be prepared to evacuate when an order is issued by:

  • Knowing the correct evacuation route(s)
  • Ensuring that your vehicle is fueled

And, if you are a visitor:

  • Take all of your belongings with you, including pets as there is no way to know when re-entry will be allowed
  • Evacuate when the order is issued since there are NO emergency shelters in Dare County

During a hurricane or an emergency-related event, information will be on the local radio, television stations, and local government social media outlets. Please do not take any chances, and follow the instructions of emergency management officials. Find all the Dare County information regarding hurricanes, including evacuation routes, at darenc.com/hurricanes.

Dare County Social Media:

Twitter: @DareCountyEM, @DareCountyGovt

Town of Duck Social Media:

Twitter: @DuckOBX

Facebook: Town of Duck

Instagram: townofduck

National Weather Service Social Media:

Twitter: @NWSMoreheadCity

Facebook: NWS Morehead City

Emergency Alerts

Dare County, in partnership with the towns, purchased into an agreement with Rave Mass Notification as a means of delivering vital information more quickly. When signing up, you can choose from email, text, and voice alerts. To learn more about Rave and to sign up for emergency alerts from the Town of Duck visit townofduck.com/emergency-alerts. To sign up for Rave through Dare County Emergency Management visit www.darecountyem.com.

The Dare County Emergency Operations Center will be operating throughout the storm and may be reached at 252-475-5655 or visit www.darenc.com for updated information.

Additional Information

Know Your Zone- Check your property flood zone status and make sure that it is properly insured. For more information on flood risks in our area visit www.obxfloodmaps.com

Make an evacuation plan with your family. Decide on places to go, routes to take you there, and where you will stay.

Get your Disaster Supply Kit stocked and ready.

Install hurricane shutters or purchase precut 1/2" outdoor plywood boards for each window of your home. Install anchors for the plywood and pre-drill holes in the plywood so that you can put it up quickly.
Be Sure to Include the Following:
  • First aid kit and essential medications.
  • Important family documents such as insurance policies, identification, and bank account records in a watertight container
  • At least a 3 day supply of nonperishable food and can opener.
  • At least three gallons of water per person.
  • Protective clothing, rainwear, and bedding or sleeping bags.
  • Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
  • Whistle to signal if help is needed
  • Items for personal hygiene, garbage bags, and plastic ties
  • Special items for infants, elderly, or disabled family members.
  • Items for your pet including food, water, medicines, and medical records.
  • Local maps
  • Written instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas, and water if advised to do so. (Remember, you'll need a professional to turn them back on.)
Know your evacuation route. The Hurricane Evacuation Route for Duck is NC 12 (south) to US 158 (west) towards Elizabeth City, NC, and Norfolk, VA.

Identify ahead of time where you could go if you are told to evacuate. Choose several places--a friend's home in another town, a motel, or a shelter.

Keep handy the telephone numbers of these places as well as a road map of your locality. You may need to take alternative or unfamiliar routes if major roads are closed or clogged.

Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for evacuation instructions. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately! If you are a visitor be sure to take all of your belongings as there is no way to know when reentry will be allowed following the storm.
Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs, then strategically removing branches so that wind can blow through.

Prepare to cover all windows of your home with shutters or other building materials. Note: Tape does not prevent windows from breaking, so taping windows is not recommended.

Prepare to bring inside any lawn or deck furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash bins, hanging plants, and anything else that can be picked up by the wind.
WATCH: Hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are POSSIBLE in the specified area of the WATCH, usually within 48 hours.

WARNING: Hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are EXPECTED in the specified area of the WARNING, usually within 36 hours.
Hurricane Watch- Hurricane conditions are EXPECTED within 48 hours

Listen to the advice of local officials, and leave if they tell you to do so. The Hurricane Evacuation Route for Duck is NC 12 (south) to US 158 (west) towards Elizabeth City, NC, and Norfolk, VA.

Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio. Turn to the Government Channel (cable channel 191) for up-to-date storm information. This channel is not available on satellite tv but can be streamed live at www.currenttv.org. Pay attention to any alerts that come through your phone.

Complete preparation activities. If a mandatory evacuation is not ordered and you decide not to leave, stay indoors and away from windows.

Be aware that the calm "eye" is deceptive; the storm is not over. The worst part of the storm will happen once the eye passes over and the winds blow from the opposite direction. Trees, shrubs, buildings, and other objects damaged by the first winds can be broken or destroyed by the second winds.

Be alert for tornadoes as they can happen during a hurricane, and after it passes over. Remain indoors, in the center of your home, in a closet or bathroom without windows.

Store any valuables in watertight containers and in a high spot. If you evacuate, take them with you.

Stay away from flood waters. If you come upon a flooded road, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car and climb to higher ground.
If you DID NOT evacuate:
  • Remain indoors until local authorities say it is safe to go outside.
  • Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio. Turn to the Government Channel (cable channel 191) for up-to-date storm information. This channel is not available on satellite TV but can be streamed live at currenttv.org.
  • Stay at home until the local authorities say it is safe to go outside. Immediately following a storm, authorities and power companies will be out to assess damage. Please stay at home as much as possible to allow them to do their jobs as quickly as possible.
  • Once it is safe to go outside and you begin to survey your property for any damage, be sure to use caution and be aware of any hazards, such as downed power lines and sharp debris.
  • If traveling, avoid standing water as there is no way to see how deep it is or if there is submerged debris.
If you DID evacuate:
  • Reentry will be announced as soon as possible. There is no way of knowing exactly how long when the staged reentry process will begin.