Small craft advisory issued for entire N.C. coast

CEDAR POINT — Chris Rowland loaded his boat back on its trailer Tuesday afternoon at the N.C. Wildlife Resources boat ramp and knew it would be at least a few days before he’d be back on the water.

“It’s gorgeous out there today — a last chance to get out (before Hurricane Earl),” Rowland said.

Hurricane Earl grew into a dangerous category 4 storm Tuesday, and while uncertainty remained over how close it would get to the North Carolina coast, even a brush near land is expected to have impacts on coastal areas.

“I’m watching the storm, keeping my fingers crossed and hoping it stays offshore,” Rowland said.

Dangerous rip currents, rough surf, tidal flooding and high winds are among the anticipated impacts; and the Coast Guard encouraged boaters to heed weather advisories and warnings as conditions worsen.

On Tuesday, the National Weather Service office in Newport issued a small craft advisory for the entire North Carolina coast.

Swell was expected to spread into North Carolina waters late Tuesday and build to six feet or higher late Tuesday and early today south of Oregon Inlet. The swell will continue to build, reaching a peak Thursday and Thursday evening when waves in excess of 20 feet will be possible along with tropical storm to hurricane-force winds as the storm passes the coast, the advisory states.

Lt.j.g. Caleb Peacock of Coast Guard Sector North Carolina said they began making storm preparations Monday, setting up incident management teams and preparing boats and equipment.

“We plan for the worst and hope for the best,” Peacock said.

But as storm ready as they may be, Peacock said the advice for mariners is not to be on the water in hazardous conditions. With a major hurricane such as a category 3 or category 4 Earl, the Coast Guard also has to consider the safety of its crews in responding to distress calls.

“We encourage people to stay out of the water,” Peacock said. “Don’t put yourself at risk. Don’t put yourself in that situation.”

As Hurricane Earl neared, marinas were also keeping a watchful eye on the storm and helping boat owners make arrangements to move or store their boats.

“We’re keeping a close watch; it’s a big storm,” said Susan Casper of Casper’s Marina in Swansboro.

After watching a mid-day update on the hurricane on Tuesday, Casper said she expects they’ll be preparing the marina site today, making sure everything is in order and picking up any items outside that could blow around.

They’ll also be answering the calls of any boat owners. Casper said for boats that can be hauled by trailer, the owners may choose to move them out of harm’s way. Larger vessels can be sailed to safe harbor.

But that’s not always possible, and as of Tuesday the marina had only had one boat owner take their boat and move it to higher ground.

Also Tuesday, the Coast Guard set Port condition X-ray for the state ports in Morehead City and Wilmington. Condition X-ray is a heightened condition of readiness indicating the arrival of gale force winds within 48 hours.

The ports continued to operate as normal as weather preparedness plans were made.

Mariners are also reminded that drawbridges will remain closed when wind speeds reach 34 knots or evacuations begin.