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

During the February 23, 2009 Council meeting, the Emergency Operations Plan for Multi-Hazards basic plan for Atlantic Beach was unanimously approved by the Town Council.  A portion of this plan is dedicated to access and re-entry to Bogue Banks after an event such as severe storm or hurricane. 

Pre- and Post-Storm:

The NC Highway Patrol will monitor the effects of winds on the high-rise bridge travel. The NC Highway Patrol will restrict travel across the high-rise bridge when wind speeds prevent safe bridge travel or threat of rendering lanes impassable due to over-turned vehicles or other blockages due to winds.

Post-Storm Activities:

First, public safety officials survey the town to ensure re-entry for property owners and residents is safe. Second, once safety concerns are addressed we would then ask to allow those who have a legitimate and vested interest be allowed to return to secure their property before allowing the general public access to Atlantic Beach. Third, once property owners have secured their property allow for the towns reopening. The proposed plan is in place for two reasons, safety and to ensure only those who have a legitimate reason are allowed back on the island. The proposed process the first year is going to require the completion of a simple application to ensure passes are tied to properties for accountability. This will eliminate the need to repeat this process year after year saving money. We realize there may be some minor inconveniences, but remember this to protect your interests.        

Atlantic Beach Re-entry Permits:

·         Permits will only be issued Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM at Town Hall. No permits will be issued or mailed 24 hours before projected landfall.

·        Re-entry permit applications must be completed in its entirety for each parcel number, whether for real or personal property, and for each business in Atlantic Beach. Applications will be kept on file at Town Hall and cross referenced with each assigned permit issued. Permit applications shall be completed by the property owner and permits will only be provided by Town Hall staff to the property owner.  Any transfer of passes from property owner to other persons is the responsibility of the property owner.

• Real Property Re-entry Permit Application (land, single or multi-family residence, mobile home with land)

• Personal Property Re-entry Permit Application (mobile home without owning land, boats, RV's)

• Business Re-entry Permit Application (business must be located in Atlantic Beach with a paid privilege license)

·         Re-entry permits are permanent permits and will not be re-issued each year.

·         Every parcel and business may receive up to two permits at no charge. Additional permits can be purchased for $25 per additional permit. Torn or worn permits that need to be replaced can be brought to Town Hall for replacement without charge.

·         Once a property owner or business owner receives their two permits, they may give those permits to any individual(s) of their choosing who may be in a better local position to check on the property or an additional permit can be purchased for that purpose. 

·       Permits are assigned to specific parcel numbers and all permits will be transferred at closing or at the transferring of the title.  This is as important as receiving the keys, parking passes, or gate control cards at closing.  If two permits have previously been assigned to the parcel number, the new owner will be charged the $25 fee for each replacement permit requested.  Remember, the permits are assigned numerically and cross referenced to the specific parcel number matching the applications on file. 

Completed applications may be mailed or delivered to Town Hall during normal business hours.