Visitors told to leave Outer Banks

NC issues order as Maria approaches

OCRACOKE, N.C. — Authorities ordered hundreds of visitors Monday to leave much of North Carolina’s Outer Banks, warily eyeing Hurricane Maria already kicking up heavy surf along the Southeast coast.

More than 200 visitors have already left Hyde County’s Ocracoke Island amid a mandatory evacuation order imposed early Monday on that fragile barrier island jutting into the Atlantic. Authorities warn that high winds and flooding are possible threats as Maria passes well offshore. Neighboring Dare County also ordered an evacuation of visitors from neighboring Hatteras Island starting at midday.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami has issued a tropical storm warning from Cape Lookout north up the coast to the Virginia line. A tropical storm watch also was in effect for other areas.

Tourists packed up and drove off — some after only one day of what was supposed to be a weeklong vacation. Business owners braced for what they said would be yet another financial hit this season.

A construction accident at the peak of tourist season in late July had cut power to Ocracoke and Hatteras for several days, resulting in the evacuation of an estimated 50,000 tourists. Businesses lost millions of dollars.

Chips Stevens, the owner of Blackbeard’s Lodge on Ocracoke, said Maria effectively makes 2017 a two-storm season, which is the “worst-case scenario.”

“You can have a really good season up until a storm, and then it ends up being an average or a below-average season,” Stevens said. “But if you have two storms that makes it very difficult. Fall is often where you make your profit.”

Even in late September with school back in session, the Outer Banks attracts newlyweds and empty nesters. So-called “snowbirds” also come through on their drive south. Business continues into October with fishermen.

“We can get some decent storms in October,” Stevens said. “God forbid we get anything else.”

On Hatteras, Jay Wrenn and his wife packed up their car for the five-hour drive back home to Burlington, N.C.

They had arrived at their rented cottage in Rodanthe on Sunday with a week’s worth of groceries. By noon Monday the macaroni salad they had made was in the trash.

Wrenn doubted they would make the drive back if the evacuation order is lifted Thursday.