THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 16, 1995 TAG: 9508160424
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Medium: 80 lines
Hurricane Felix's sudden turn toward North Carolina's barrier islands prompted Dare County officials Tuesday to quickly order an evacuation.
The decision will cost Dare County businesses an estimated $4 million a day, but it was decided that an evacuation was necessary to take tourists and residents out of harm's way.
``If Felix continues on his present course, Dare County will feel the effects of those winds early (Wednesday) morning. And the hurricane will make landfall with southern Dare County by 7 or 8 p.m.'' Wednesday, said Dare County Public Information Officer Charles Hartig.
Hartig said the storm changed course, triggering the decision to evacuate. An estimated 200,000 to 250,000 tourists and residents were in Dare County, including 5,000 to 8,000 in Hatteras. About 5,000 people left Ocracoke Island in Hyde County by ferry.
``Our goal is to be able to evacuate people in the daylight,'' Hartig said. ``The speed of the hurricane intensified, and moved its track more closely in line with Hatteras Island. Our window of opportunity was beginning to close quickly.''
Hartig said that while there are no laws that require individuals to obey an evacuation order, it is foolhardy to stay.
``We can't force people to leave. Butin the interest of their lives and property, they should leave.''
Many, it seemed, took officials' word.
Meanwhile, hotels, restaurants and shops braced for the loss of business during the height of the tourist season.
``It varies from business to business,'' said Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce Executive Director John Bone, who estimated that $4 million would be lost each day.
``The impact will be significant. This is the peak of the season.''
Some Hatteras businesses have just recovered from the devastation wrought by Hurricane Emily in 1993. Bone said the track of the storm over the next several days will determine the impact on the local tourist trade.
``Hatteras Island lost all of today, and the rest of Dare County lost part of it,'' Bone said. ``The county will probably lose all day (Wednesday), and possibly all day Thursday, depending on what the storm does. If it turns back north or east, people could be coming back by Thursday.
On other fronts:
Dare County teachers, who were scheduled to report to work today, got an unexpected extension to their summer vacation. Teachers will now report by Thursday at the earliest, according to a release issued by the board. However, they should tentatively plan to report for work on Monday.
Pasquotank and Camden Counties in mainland northeastern North Carolina activated a joint emergency operations center at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday and urged evacuation of mobile home and low-lying areas.
``Gale force winds are expected by 2 a.m. Wednesday with hurricane winds by 11 a.m. Wednesday,'' said Pasquotank County Manager Randy Keaton in Elizabeth City.
Keaton said Toisnot Middle School in Wilson County, Roanoke Rapids High School in Halifax County and Benvenue Elementary School in Rocky Mount were available as shelters for evacuees heading west. People should listen to radio and TV stations for more information, Keaton said. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by Drew C. Wilson
Myk Williams, 23, of Kill Devil Hills, is playing fast and loose
with the storm. By this afternoon, he may be wishing he hadn't
taunted Felix.
Color photo by ASSOCIATED PRESS
People leave the Outer Banks on the Washington Baum bridge. The
evacuation is expected to cost Dare businesses $4 million a day.
[Side Bar]
[List of phone numbers]
Emergency Numbers
For copy of list, see microfilm.
KEYWORDS: HURRICANE FELIX by CNB