The Town of Atlantic Beach has a detailed plan for evacuation and re-entry to aid you in getting on and off the island in an orderly fashion.

EVACUATION

Conditions and terms that will be described on television and radio are as follows:

• Gale Warning:  When winds of 39 to 54 mph are expected.
• Hurricane Watch:  When there is a threat of hurricane conditions within 24-36 hours.
• Hurricane Warning:  When a strike is anticipated within 24 hours with winds exceeding 74 mph and/or high tides and waves.

You may also hear various conditions announced regarding expected landfall time of a hurricane.  They are:

• Condition 4:  Hurricane Advisory, begin serious planning.
• Condition 3:  Hurricane Watch is on, with 36 to 48 hours to forecasted landfall.
• Condition 2:  Hurricane Warning is on, with 18 to 24 hours to forecasted landfall.
• Condition 1:  Expected landfall within 18 hours or less.

STEPS TO ENSURE YOUR SAFETY

• Listen  to weather reports and storm information on the following stations.

TV:  WITN-7, WFXI-8, WNCT-9, WCTI-12

Radio:  740 AM, 1400 AM, 96.3 FM, 95.1 FM, 106.5 FM

• We also suggest you monitor the National Weather Service (NOAA), Channel 10, 162.40 MHz for accurate updated weather information and advisories.
• Make sure your automobile has a full tank of gas.  Lines at all stations will be long.
• Once a WATCH is issued, be prepared to leave you home, motel, hotel, campground, mobile home park or rented unit.  Town Police will notify managers of these establishments with sufficient lead-time so that you can easily and safely depart.
• All residents and visitors in Atlantic Beach and Pine Knoll Shores can leave by either the Atlantic Beach or Emerald Isle bridges before and during the HURRICANE WATCH.  Once the HURRICANE WARNING is issued, all residents and visitors must leave via the Atlantic Beach Bridge.
• Plan to travel at least 50 miles inland.  Local shelters are limited and are primarily for local residents.
• No boat trailers, house trailers, motor homes or similar high-profile units will be allowed on the highways leading to the bridges or through control points once winds reach sustained 45 mph or in gale-force ranges.
• The island will be closed to all incoming traffic, except emergency personnel coming on, once island officials declare a State of Emergency.  Remember that there may not be any food services, Police, Fire,  EMS services or utilities available.
• Besides the damaging winds and flooding from heavy rains, the major threat to the island is a storm surge.  A storm surge is a dome of water that could be as high as 20 feet.
• It will take 10-12 hours to safely evacuate the county during periods of high visitor population.  There will be traffic bottlenecks in areas such as Havelock on US 70 and Maysville on US 17.  When authorities recommend evacuation, we urge you to do so immediately.

After essential personnel have determined the area is safe, then the decision will be made as to when residents and visitors may return.  Do not assume that since the storm has passed you can return to the island.  The island will remain closed to oncoming traffic until Emergency Services personnel can secure the island, assess the damages and control all hazardous situations.  Once hazards are controlled and damage assessment is complete, the Town Officials will then be able to make the decision as to permit re-entry onto the island.  Re-entry will first be to residents, property owners, and business owners possessing a valid re-entry pass.  The general public will be able to return only after officials determine that the entire island is safe and secure.  Even then, there may be some specific areas in town that will be closed to the public.

 RE-ENTRY

Atlantic Beach residents, property owners and business owners were issued a 2007 Disaster Re-Entry Permit on the back of their June 2007 water bill.  This water bill/pass was green in color.  These passes are necessary in order to return to the island after a major storm event.  If you are an Atlantic Beach resident, property owner, or business owner and do not receive a water bill monthly, you may come by the Atlantic Beach Town Hall, located at 125 W. Fort Macon Rd.  Please bring with you proof of residency or property ownership (water bill, electric bill, etc.).  For more information, contact the Atlantic Beach Town Hall at 252-726-2121.