VIDEO: Property owners returning to Outer Banks reminded to obtain permits, bring supplies

Non-resident property owners that plan to come when Dare County begins its staggered reopening procedure next week are reminded that they need to have the proper permits and identification, and to bring the supplies they need from outside the area.

Beginning Monday, May 4, Dare County will open to non-resident property owners who have a valid entry permit with matching government issued ID according to the schedule below:

  • Monday, May 4 at 6:00 a.m. – Entry begins and is ongoing for non-resident property owners whose last name begins with A – I.
  • Wednesday, May 6 at 6:00 a.m. – Entry begins and is ongoing for non-resident property owners whose last name begins with J – R. 
  • Friday, May 8 at 6:00 a.m. – Entry begins and is ongoing for non-resident property owners whose last name begins with S – Z.

Entry permits can be obtained at darenc.com/entry. Following the instructions provided, non-resident property owners can receive permits by applying online. Permits will be issued to the two “Primary Owners” listed on the tax record for each property. Those who are entering should have permits and proper identification ready before approaching the entry checkpoint. A list of frequently asked questions about entry to Dare County is available on the COVID-19 FAQs page

Currituck County began allowing non-resident property owners access to Corolla and Carova Beach on April 22, and a checkpoint is in place at the county line between Sanderling and Pine Island.

Hyde County will begin allowing all non-resident property owners to access Ocracoke starting on Monday, May 11.

There has yet to be an announcement about when visitors may return be allowed to return to the Outer Banks. Dare and Currituck counties have agreed to coordinate their full reopening dates.

All non-resident property owners should bring their own supplies to sustain themselves in their homes as much as possible, including groceries, prescriptions, paper products and other essentials. 

As the number of shoppers increases, people may experience a greater wait time to enter at grocery stores due to restrictions on the number of customers allowed entry. Shoppers should also expect to see changes in product availability as supply chain demand fluctuates across the nation. Please only purchase what you need.

Local grocers are also asking people to please respect the special hours set aside for at risk populations and to minimize the number of people shopping together to minimize wait times  Information on stores that have reserved shopping hours or online ordering/curbside pickup can be found here. 

As the gradual lifting of restrictions gets underway, it is important to continue to follow the Stay Home, Stay Healthy order:

  • Travel only for essential needs
  • Practice social distancing by maintaining at least a 6 foot distance between you and others
  • Avoid direct contact with those other than your immediate family members
  • Avoid gathering in groups larger than 10 people  

In addition, individuals are now required to wear a mask or cloth face covering in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, such as grocery stores or pharmacies. Visit darenc.com/facecoverings for more information.

Yesterday, Health & Human Services Director, Dr. Sheila Davies announced the 16th positive test result in Dare County. The Dare County COVID-19 webpage has a section for quick reference which provides the most up to date information on COVID-19 cases in Dare County and also the State of North Carolina. You can find this information at www.darenc.com/covid19.

In North Carolina, there are currently 10,923 cases of COVID-19 in 98 counties. There have been 399 fatalities in NC associated with COVID-19. Currently, the state is reporting 547 hospitalizations across the state from COVID-19 illness.

As the county’s population begins to increase next week, Dare County Emergency Management will issue Public Safety Alerts using the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS). IPAWS allows public safety messages to be sent to enabled wireless cellular devices that are in, or that enter Dare County.  Alerts will be similar to an Amber Alert on devices that have the public safety government alert notification feature enabled.

The goal of using IPAWS to issue these public safety alerts, is to raise awareness of the State and County stay at home orders that are in place, as well as the Dare County requirement to wear a face covering in public settings where social distancing is difficult to maintain.

Dare County
Dare County continues to provide services for residents, property owners and businesses. Be sure to call the department or office before you visit to reduce the need for in-person interactions. For a listing of departments and their altered or online services, visit darenc.com/covidservices.

For a list of national, state, and local resources to help individuals, families and businesses during this difficult time, visit darenc.com/covidresources

The Dare County COVID-19 Call Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 252-475-5008 to answer your COVID-19-related questions.

Town of Duck
To protect our citizens and staff, we ask you to call or email the office to ask how we can assist you remotely. Staff are available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Friday.

252-255-1234
info@townofduck.com
www.townofduck.com

Services
Residential trash will be collected on Mondays and Fridays. Residential recycling will be collected every Monday. No items outside the receptacles will be collected. For more information, click here.

Bulk waste permits are now available through the Town’s administrative office. Please call the office to arrange for a permit.

The bulk pick up will be scheduled once Waste Management workers can collect safely for their workers due to COVID-19.

The Public Safety building is closed to non-emergency issues, including facility tours and the T-shirt shop. 

Commercial solid waste collection will occur on Fridays through May 8. Changes to the once a week schedule will be evaluated and communicated based on volume.

Meetings
The Town Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday, May 6, will be available for public viewing and participation through Zoom. The agenda and instructions for viewing and participating will be available on the website Friday, May 1.

Town of Southern Shores
Town Facilities-Town facilities remain closed to the public and all Town Hall business is being conducted via phone, email, fax, or other virtual means.  In the event of an emergency, please call 911.

Meetings-Notice is hereby given that the Southern Shores Planning Board will hold a Special Meeting on May 4, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. in the Pitts Center located at 5377 N. Virginia Dare Trl.  The purpose of the meeting is for the Board to consider the new flood maps and update to Southern Shores Town Code Chapter 16, Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance.  The Draft Ordinance, preliminary flood maps, and additional flood information can be found on the Town website at https://www.southernshores-nc.gov/httpsouthernshores-nc-govsfloodprotection/.  For additional information or questions, please contact Town Hall at (252) 261-2394 or email whaskett@southernshores-nc.gov.

Notice is hereby given that the Southern Shores Town Council will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. in the Pitts Center located at 5377 N Virginia Dare Trail.  The meeting agenda, packet, and electronic participation information can be found on the Town website at https://www.southernshores-nc.gov/southern-shores-town-council-meeting-may-5-2020/

Building Inspections-Building inspections are still being conducted, however, meetings in person with the Building Inspector on-site are limited.  Inspection requests should be called in to the Planning & Code Enforcement Department by calling 252-261-2394 ext. 3 or email Dabni Shelton, Permit Officer at dshelton@southernshores-nc.gov.  Permit applications can be submitted online by utilizing the link to Citizenserve on the Town website:  https://www.southernshores-nc.gov/online-permit-submittals/.  Feel free to call the Planning & Code Enforcement Department at 252-261-2394 ext. 3 should you have any questions.

Police Department-The Southern Shores Police Department would like you to be aware of possible scams/fraud attempts in the coming weeks, as it relates to COVID19 Economic Impact Payments from the Federal Gov’t. Please read the attached press release from the US Secret Service Charlotte Office. https://www.southernshores-nc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/COVID-19-Press-release-CHAFO-040320.pdf

Town of Kitty Hawk
Town Council will Livestream their Monday, May 4, 2020 Meeting   Click here to view the agenda.  There will be several ways to watch, listen and or participate.  Click here for more information.  

Town offices are open normal business hours.  8:30 am to 5:00 pm.  Face-to-face contact is being limited.  Before visiting any Kitty Hawk office, please check the appropriate website or call to discuss the best way to conduct business. For contact information, please visit  https://www.kittyhawknc.gov/coronavirus-disease/.   

The Town’s Spring Large Item Pick Up will take place on Monday, May 4, 2020.Click Here for More Details.

Town of Kill Devil Hills
The Town’s Dry Trash Drop Off and Recycle Center will reopen on Monday, May 4, 2020. Please visit www.kdhnc.com/DocumentCenter/View/12310 for information on the Center’s hours of operations and implemented guidelines for use. 

Additional updates and news for the Town of Kill Devil Hills can be found by visiting our website, www.kdhnc.com

Keep doing your part, Kill Devil Hills! 

We’ve never experienced something quite like COVID-19 before. The uncertainty can be overwhelming and scary. What we do know, for certain, is that our community has an unbreakable team of emergency workers who are continuously working hard to ensure the health and safety of everyone. We also know the resiliency of our community is unmatched. No matter if it’s a hurricane or a pandemic, we know how to adapt and persevere. 

The daily changes and sacrifices we have been making have not been easy, but they are making a difference. By continuing to stay home, practice physical distancing, frequently washing your hands, and wearing a cloth face covering when out for essential trips, you are helping our community beat this virus.

We’re in this together, and together we will continue strong.

 

Town of Nags Head
The Nags Head Board of Commissioners meeting scheduled for 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 6, 2020 will be conducted electronically and can be accessed by the public via the Zoom platform. To view and listen to the Board meeting remotely, register at https://nagsheadnc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_X3rSOv97QACYiHGinxB1Qw.

Please email comments for the public comment portion or for the public hearings to publiccomment050620@nagsheadnc.gov. Emailed comments will also be accepted during the Board meeting until the end of the Public Comment portion of the meeting or up until each Public Hearing is closed. Comments need to include your name and address and should be limited to five minutes when read aloud.

If you would like to participate in any of the public hearings, or need other special considerations, please contact Town Clerk Carolyn Morris at carolyn.morris@nagsheadnc.gov or at 252-449-2009 until 9 am on May 6, 2020. The Town will provide a means to participate in the meeting remotely using video conferencing software. 

For those who have not been in the area recently, we’re making a lot of improvements, such as installing water lines and extending our multi-use path, along the southbound lane of South Croatan Highway between Hollowell Street near Mile Post 12 south to the Outlets Nags Head  in the 7100 block of South Croatan Highway near Mile Post 16. Be prepared for closures of the right lane of the highway in this area. For more information, visit https://www.nagsheadnc.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=259. This work will continue into the summer. We’re sorry for the inconvenience.

Nags Head’s Planning and Development Department continues to encourage everyone to conduct their business with the Town either online or via the phone. Trade permits can be applied for and issued online. Online permitting is also available for sign permits, commercial and residential repair permits, residential demolition permits, and residential remodel permits (without additional heated square footage).

Online permitting is available at https://selfservice.nagsheadnc.gov/MSS/citizens/Default.aspx. For most every other permit or approval, the department can make arrangements to coordinate the submittal of applications and materials, issue permits, and take payments (the Town has temporarily waived all payment service fees). If you need assistance, call or email first (252-441-7016 or planning@nagsheadnc.gov) and the department will find a way to accommodate your needs.

 

Town of Manteo
Town Operations – Access to Town Hall is limited. Call 473-2133 first to handle issues over the phone or online. Ring doorbell and use intercom prior to entry. Utility service disconnections, late fees, and penalties are suspended. Water charges will still be billed. Payment plans are available. Sanitation is on the regular schedule. Bulky item pick-ups are only Monday and Thursday.

Police Department – Access to Police Department is limited. If emergency, dial 911. Call 473-2069 for non-emergency weekday service or 473-3444 after hours. Ring doorbell and use the intercom prior to entry during weekdays. There is a call box for after-hours use at the MPD entrance.

Public Facilities – Town parks are open. Practice social distancing. Playgrounds and restrooms are closed. Pea Island Cookhouse Museum, Maritime Museum, and Lighthouse are closed. Downtown Marina is closed to visitors.

Special Events – Dare Day 2020 cancelled but planned to return in 2021. 05/02 Litter Pick-Up postponed to 11/14. Downtown Market postponed until further notice.

 

National Park Service
All indoor facilities at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and Wright Brothers National Memorial are temporarily closed.  

Most Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches remain open for the purpose of staying healthy while following federal, state, and county guidelines to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Beach users can help keep these areas open by staying at least 6 feet from each other and by not creating a gathering of 10 or more people in a single location. Additionally, vehicles on the beach should be parked roughly 20 feet apart.

Adequate social distancing is easily achievable as there are currently over 58 miles of ocean-facing beaches available to spread out on. 

Night driving restrictions on the beach begin tonight at 9 p.m. Night driving restrictions help protect nesting sea turtles. For current beach access information, go to: http://go.nps.gov/beachaccess. Off-road vehicle permits can be purchased online at www.recreation.gov. 

As services are limited, the National Park Service urges visitors to continue to practice Leave No Trace principles, including pack-in and pack-out, to keep outdoor spaces safe and healthy. 

The 2020 lighthouse climbing seasons at the Cape Hatteras and Bodie Island lighthouses, and camping seasons at Oregon Inlet, Cape Point, Frisco, and Ocracoke campgrounds, are postponed until further notice.

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About Sam Walker 1512 Articles
Sam Walker was news director for OBXToday.com, Beach 104, 99.1 The Sound, Big 94.5 WCMS and Z 92.3 from August 2011 to March 2022.