Get Ready for Hurricane Season
Well it’s almost that time of year again. Nope it’s not Christmas, but the dreaded hurricane season. The Atlantic Hurricane season officially starts June 1st, so get ready. 2007 was a relatively calm year, and hopefully 2008 will be as well.
The Outer Banks has many safety and evacuation procedures to follow if a Hurricane or storm is approaching. Make sure you know in advance what evacuation route you are going to take. Try to give yourself plenty of time so you are not caught in the big evacuation rush. Plan ahead! Tune into one of the following radio stations to get the latest updates:
- WNHW FM (92.5)
- WOBR FM (95.3)
- WKJX FM (96.7)
- WVOD (99.1)
- WERX (102.5)
- WCXL FM (104.1)
- WRSR FM (105.7)
- WGAI AM (56)
- WOBR AM (1530)
- or NOAA Weather radio: 162.550
If you need to evacuate, make sure to take this stuff with you:
- All Pets!
- Food and Water
- First Aid Kit
- Two-week supply of medicine
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Extra clothing
- Lightweight folding chairs or cots
- Personal items including books, toys and snacks
- Infant necessities
- Important papers (valid ID) and money
After the Hurricane has passed, make sure the area is safe before you return. Check with your local authorities to be certain. Having a Hurricane plan can save lives. It is especially important to have one when living in an area like the Outer Banks.
Labels: Hurricane season, Outer Banks
May Events
The season is almost here. Summer residents are flocking back and tourists will be popping up everywhere from the Wright Bros. Memorial to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. There’s so much to do and see that some may not know where to start. Here’s a list of some of the upcoming events taking place here in the Outer Banks.
May 10:
25th Annual Yuengling Nags Head 5K foot race and Village Realty 1-Mile Family Run: This event is taking place in Nags Head Woods. A little different from the typical beachy scenery; this walk is on a dirt trail of the preserve weave through one of the nicest remaining examples of mid-Atlantic maritime forest and deciduous hardwoods.
May 16-19:
Kitty Hawk Kites 36th Annual Hang Gliding Spectacular: Don’t miss the best hang gliders around. They do some really cool stuff. The Hang Gliding Spectacular is taking place at Jockey’s Ridge State Park in Nags Head, from 10am to 4pm. Other activities there include a climbing wall, face painting, kite making and more. So make sure to bring the whole family for a fun packed day.
May 17: March of Dimes – Walk America: Here is a great opportunity to help raise money for a fantastic cause. The March of Dimes has been helping kids around the world with all types of ailments since 1938. The event is taking place at Roanoke Island Festival Park. It’s a five mile walk through the historic section of Manteo. There will be a picnic following the walk.
May 22-23: Kitty Hawk Kites Kite Boarding Center Demo Days: This fun event is taking place at the Kitty Hawk Kites Kite boarding Center in Nags Head from 10am to 4pm. All of the newest kite boarding gear will be on display and available for purchase. Professionals will be on hand along with industry reps to field all your questions.
May 25: Summer Sound Fest: This is a great event to come hang out with family and friends. It’s taking place at Roanoke Island Festival Park and is sponsored by CapSan Media. Food and beverages will be available as well as several live bands. Please don’t bring your cooler as they will not be permitted in the park.
ORV Agreement Reached
The issue of Off-road vehicles on Cape Hatteras National Seashore has been a hot topic lately. Check out the
April 14th blog about it. Well, the time has come and a ruling has been handed down on the matter by Judge Terrence Boyle.
This past Wednesday, April 30, 2008, Judge Boyle ruled to accept the proposed consent decree that places limitations on ORV access and beach driving on the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The consent decree was proposed to the judge by attorneys from both sides of the issue. The proposal was a compromise between the two parties.
By accepting the consent decree; the lawsuit brought forth by two environmental groups against the National Parks Service has been dropped. The decree is not a long term plan and states that a long term off-road vehicle plan must be implemented by April of 2011. The National Parks Service along with Dare and Hyde counties argued that closing the beaches will have a negative local economic impact while the 2 environmental groups argued that the National Parks Service was not doing enough to protect the birds, sea turtles, and other natural resources from the impact off ORV’s on the beach.
The interim ORV management plan calls for the National Parks Service to take prompt action to deal with the diminishing populations of nesting shorebirds and water birds, provide proper protection to the threatened piping plover and provide additional protection to the various species of sea turtles. The proposal also called for public education of beach driving and the protection of local resources while still providing the opportunity for ORV’s and pedestrian access to the beach.
It seems like this ruling found some middle ground on the issue that should help both sides to keep working together toward a more permanent solution. At least for now locals and tourists will still be able to enjoy off-roading on the beach, but will do so with more caution and restrictions. We’ll keep you updated on any pertinent information.
Labels: Cape Hatteras National Seashore, National Parks Service
Going Green in the Outer Banks
It seems like everyone is making some kind of effort to Go Green these days. People and businesses are doing this in many ways from changing light bulbs to starting a recycling a program. With the recent passing of Earth Day, there is no better time to consider the environment and do your part. Starting on May 1st, the town of Kill Devil Hills will be implementing a residential curbside recycling program.
The program will be run by Outer Banks Hauling and Bay Disposal. It will bear a small cost but the rewards are priceless. In order to participate in this exciting program, residents will be required to pay a small fee of $8.95 per month. The fee will go to cover the materials needed to recycle and the costs of labor/pickup services. The agreement between the town of Kill Devil Hills and Outer Banks Hauling/Bay Disposal goes into effect on May 1, 2008 and is currently approved until April 30, 2011, with an opportunity to extend the contract another 3 years.
Pickup for the new program will be once a week on Monday or Tuesday, depending on your location. This is a great opportunity to not only help the environment, but also keep your community clean. To find out more information regarding the new program, please visit the Town of Kill Devil Hills website at
www.kdhnc.com or the Bay Disposal website at www.BayDisposal.com.
Labels: Kill Devil HIlls Recycling Program
The Hatteras Weather Bureau Station
Built over 100 years ago in 1901, The Hatteras Weather Bureau Station was the first official building constructed for the US Weather Bureau. It is centrally located in the middle of Hatteras Village at the intersection of Kholer and Saxton Cut Streets. Throughout the century, The Hatteras Weather Station has survived some of the worst storms to hit coastal North Carolina. The station is now listed on the National register of Historic places and receives adamant attention from the National Park Service Preservation staff to help maintain this historic site.
The Hatteras Weather Station was originally used as the residence of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse keeper in 1874. The station was occupied by an observer and a maintenance man and was outfitted with telegraph communications to relay information to the District Forecast Center in Washington D.C. The station was a crucial part of the infant US weather system, relaying detailed forecast and storm information every hour.
Currently the U.S. Weather Bureau Station is operated by The Outer Banks Visitors Bureau and provides information on all things “Outer Banks” related, from attractions to directions. The station is open from 9am to 5pm from March until December.
The U.S. Weather Bureau Station / Hatteras Welcome Center:
57190 Kholer Road
Hatteras Village
(877) 629-4386
(252) 986-2203
Labels: Hatteras Welcome Station, The US Weather Station
Off Road Vehicles
As you can imagine, there are plenty of beaches within the Outer banks for you to enjoy. But, did you know that off-roading is permitted on many of the beaches? With the coastline as a beautiful backdrop, this is a great activity just for fun or maybe to help you find the best fishing spot. All can enjoy, but there are some regulations to be followed.
Use only designated access ramps. It is prohibited to go around the access points to get to the beach.
Drive only on marked ORV routes and comply with posted restrictions. Driving or parking on the dunes is prohibited.
Avoid driving or parking on the wrack line. The wrack line is a line of stranded natural debris caused by high tide.
Must have a current driver’s license.
Observe posted speed limits.
Pedestrians have the right of way.
The issue of ORV”s has been a topic of discussion lately. A group called the Defenders of Wildlife, along with other groups, are petitioning a federal judge to suspend the use of ORV’s on portions of Cape Hatteras National Seashore. This is mainly due the increased threat to local endangered shorebirds.
This past February, the groups filed for a preliminary injunction in U.S. District Court asking that the area in which ORV’s are permitted be reduced by 12%. The decrease in land used by ORV’s would provide the shorebirds with needed land to nest and raise their chicks. The restricted land would still be accessible to pedestrians.
Here is a map of the proposed restricted areas.
Nothing has been settled yet, but they are expected to rule on this matter relatively soon. We’ll keep you posted.
Labels: off road vehicles, Outer Banks
April in the Outer Banks
Now that March is almost over; it’s time to look ahead to April. The month of April is full of fun events and festivals for everyone to enjoy. Whether you want to learn some Outer Banks’ history or partake in the 6th annual Outer Banks Bike week; April is another exciting month to visit the Outer banks.
April 4: Children’s Fun Fair
The Children’s Fun Fair is geared towards young kids and is taking place at the Wright Brothers National Memorial Pavilion Kill Devil Hills. This is a free event and will offer a variety of educational, entertaining and hands-on activities.
April 4,11,18,25: Outer Barks – Yappy HourSponsored by the Scarborough Lane Shoppes in Duck; this is a great place to meet and talk to people from the community, and best of all it is pet friendly. Everyone is encouraged to bring their canine friend.
April 5-6: Kitty Hawk Kites Fly Into Spring Kite FestivalCome jumpstart spring and celebrate National Kite month with Kitty Hawk kites first festival of the year. This event takes place both days from 10am to 4pm and features professional kite fliers from all over the country.
April 7-28: Dare County High School Art Show
This annual exhibition features diverse 2 and 3 dimensional art in the form of portraits, landscape paintings, abstracts, mixed media work and more. The show is being held at Roanoke Island Festival Park, Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.
April 16: Wilbur Wright’s 141st BirthdayCome celebrate at the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills from 11am to 4pm. The celebration is a family event full of fun, games, eating and learning.
April 19: Tour De CureHelp raise money and awareness for the American Diabetes Association. This fundraiser is a 100 mile ride beginning in Chesapeake, VA and ending in Manteo, NC. For more information please call (888) DIABETES, Ext. 3281.
April 24-27: 6th Annual Outer Banks Bike WeekThis is a must for all bikers. Bring your bike and partake in the fun which includes live entertainment, great food, events and special attractions. For more information please visit
www.outerbanksbikeweek.com.
April 26-27: 100th Annual Inter-Tribal Powwow, Journey HomeCome experience a traditional powwow filled with activities for the entire family. Events include drumming, singing, dancing, native crafts, exhibits, displays, story telling, native food and a whole lot more! This event is taking place rain or shine and is open to the public. Prices are $3 for seniors and students, $5 for adults, $15 for a family and children under 5 are free.
Labels: Outer Banks
