Counties along the coast, especially in southeastern North Carolina, are getting ready for Isaias to make landfall as a strong tropical storm or a Category 1 hurricane Monday night.
Officials in in the path of the storm say residents should prepare for power outages, including charging up their phones and making sure they have flashlights and extra batteries. People should also be careful while driving and are advised not to drive through flood waters.
Rescue teams, helicopters, and high-water vehicles are in place to help rescue people if needed, Gov. Roy Cooper said during a press conference Monday afternoon.
Here's what coastal communities are doing to prepare:
BRUNSWICK COUNTY
The City of Southport declared a state of emergency Monday and issued a mandatory curfew from 6 p.m. Monday until 7 a.m. Tuesday. The city will also shut down waterfront areas starting at 3 p.m. Monday because of potential flooding.
County officials ordered visitors to evacuate Holden Beach and Ocean Isle Beach and issued voluntary evacuations for tourists in Caswell Beach and on Oak Island.
Brunswick County Community College closed at 11 a.m. Monday.
The county opened two shelters at noon Monday:
- Cedar Grove Middle School at 750 Grove Trail SW, in Supply
- Town Creek Middle School at 6370 Lake Park Dr. SE, Winnabow
"You are strongly encouraged to reach out to family or friends or locate a more inland location to shelter if you plan to leave your home. Remember: You should not shelter at home when an evacuation order is issued for your municipality or the county," the county said in a statement Monday.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY
New Hanover County is under a state of emergency, but there is no county evacuation order and no shelters are open.
The City of Wilmington also declared a state of emergency, but there are no evacuations or curfew orders. Parks, pools, and golf courses in Wilmington closed at noon.
The Town of Carolina Beach is asking visitors to evacuate but stopped short of ordering an evacuation for vacationers.
Wrightsville Beach also declared a state of emergency and asked visitors to leave the coastal town.
Battleship North Carolina closed at noon Monday. The ship is scheduled to reopen to visitors at 8 a.m. Wednesday.
The New Hanover Regional Medical Center will close its non-emergency entrances at 7 p.m. Women in labor can still go directly to the Women's and Children's Hospital.
ABC stores in New Hanover County will close at 5 p.m. Monday and remain closed through Tuesday.
ONSLOW COUNTY
Officials in Onslow County declared a state of emergency for Isaias. There are no curfews or evacuation orders in Onslow County.
The City of Jacksonville offices are scheduled to be closed after 4 p.m. Monday.
Onslow County has shelters opened from 6 p.m. Monday until noon Tuesday. Shelters will be open at Swansboro High School, Dixon Middle School, Richlands High School, and Jacksonville Commons Middle School.
People will need to bring face masks, bedding, snacks, medications, and anything needed for childcare to the shelters. Pets will only be allowed in the Jacksonville Commons shelter and must be in a carrier.
CARTERET COUNTY
Officials in Carteret County is asking people to not leave their homes after the storm moves into the area. The county declared a state of emergency Sunday, but there are no orders to evacuate or for curfews.
HYDE COUNTY
Hyde County officials ordered visitors and residents to evacuate Ocracoke Island.
"North Carolina ferries have evacuated more than 3,300 passengers toll-free and more than 1,500 vehicles from Ocracoke Island through noon Sunday. Evacuations will continue through Monday mid-morning," the governor's office said Sunday.
The entire county is under a state of emergency.
DARE COUNTY
Officials in Dare County warn that storm surge along N.C. 12, the sole road running the length of Hatteras Island, could overwash the highway and cut off parts of the Outer Banks island.
There is a mandatory evacuation order in effect for visitors and residents on Hatteras Island.
