Hurricane Earl weakens to a Category 2

OUTER BANKS, N.C. (WAVY) - Hurricane force winds are expected along the Outer Banks in North Carolina in the early morning hours on Friday.

The latest advisory from the National Weather Service says Hurricane Earl has weakened to a Category 2 storm, with winds at about 110 mph.

The first round of heavy rain hit the Outer Banks Thursday night.

Many in the Outer Banks evacuated in preparation for the storm, but some locals decided to stick it out and weather the storm. However, officials want residents to keep in mind that there are no emergency shelters available in Dare County. Officials say a shelter has been established in Bethel, North Carolina, located in Pitt County at the North Pitt High School, 5659 NC Highway 11 North.

A state of emergency was issued by the County of Dare, North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue and President Obama.

Late on Thursday evening, Currituck County also issued a limited evacuation for visitors. This includes Corolla and the 4-wheel drive area of Carova only. This evacuation does not include the Currituck mainland or Knotts Island.

Officials want to remind residents that they may lose electricity and water services, so be prepared. Should travel for public safety personnel become unsafe, then calls for emergency response may be delayed. Sections of South Nags Head could lose water prior to the storm, as well as after.

ADDITIONAL CLOSINGS IN DARE COUNTY:

• All park visitor centers and campgrounds in Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and Wright Brothers National Memorial are closed and will remain closed until further notice.
• Ocracoke Campground
• The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
• All ocean-side beach access for off-road vehicles is closed until after Hurricane Earl passes and a post-storm assessment can be completed.
• All Dare County Schools are closed Friday including after-school activities and the After-School Enrichment Program. Makeup days are scheduled for Saturday, September 11, and Friday, October 29.
• Dare County Courthouse is closed Friday. Those with cases scheduled either of those days will receive a letter from the Court advising of a new date.
  
• On Friday, September 3, all Dare County offices will be closed.
• Dare County Parks and Recreation has cancelled all activities for Friday and Saturday.
• The Dare County Transportation System has cancelled all scheduled rides for Friday.
• Currituck County Public Schools, Currituck County Government offices, and Currituck County Courts are closed on Friday.
  

All loose outside objects should be secured as part of storm preparation and evacuation procedures.

Other recommended steps include assembling an emergency kit with nonperishable food, water and clothing to sustain each family member for three days.

Household emergency kits should also include a flashlight, radio, spare batteries, medications, blankets and rain gear. Also recommended are photocopies of important family documents, such as birth certificates and insurance policies.

Pet owners are reminded to make sure their animals have an identification tag on their collar.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to monitor local news outlets for further advisories from the National Weather Service and state and local emergency management officials.

Bulletins will be issued as needed and available at www.darenc.com .

Stay with WAVY.com and WAVY News 10 for complete hurricane coverage .