Mandatory evacuation issued for Hatteras Island

Effective noon Monday, Dare County officials issued the mandatory evacuation for all areas of Hatteras Island, including the villages of Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco and Hatteras Village.

Effective 7 a.m. Tuesday, the mandatory evacuation order extends to the rest of Dare County, including the towns of Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, Manteo, Roanoke Island and the Dare County mainland.

"Everyone in Dare County is encouraged to evacuate as soon as possible regardless of the established time frames," the press release read. "Visitors should take all personal belongings and follow instructions from their property management company."

People evacuating Dare County are encouraged to travel westbound on U.S. Highway 64 to Interstate 95. State officials will open a pet-friendly shelter Tuesday for Dare County residents at Knightdale High School.

To the south, Hyde County issued a mandatory evacuation order for tourists on Ocracoke Island for Monday afternoon, while residents have until 5 a.m. Tuesday to leave. The state Department of Transportation has waived fees on outbound ferries to Swan Quarter and Cedar Island, and an extra run will be added to the Ocracoke-Swan Quarter route.

Currituck County officials ordered tourists to leave Corolla and Carova at the north end of the Outer Banks on Tuesday, while Topsail Island issued a voluntary evacuation order.

New Hanover County Emergency Management recommended a voluntary evacuation for all of New Hanover County, including Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Wrightsville Beach and the City of Wilmington.

An evacuation was also ordered in Carteret County starting at 12 p.m. on Tuesday.

The red flags dotting North Carolina's beaches are meant to warn swimmers of rip currents.

Officials at Wrightsville Beach said rescue crews saved 15 people from rough water at the beach on Sunday. County leaders are asking people to take the warnings seriously and not to swim until flags are down.

Effective Monday, the University of North Carolina Wilmington issued a voluntarily evacuation. Students were urged, but not required to leave campus.