Outer Banks Hurricane Preparedness
Keeping Your Home and Family Safe
Living on the beautiful Outer Banks of North Carolina means enjoying stunning beaches and the charm of living on a barrier island. It also means being prepared for hurricane season, which runs from June 1st to November 30th. As a homeowner, it’s vital to be ready for whatever Mother Nature throws our way and now is the time to plan and prepare.
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Outer Banks Hurricane Preparedness
Keeping Your Home and Family Safe
By following these tips and taking proactive steps below, you can significantly increase your preparedness for a hurricane. A little planning in advance can go a long way in protecting your home, your family, and your peace of mind during hurricane season.
Develop an Evacuation Plan
• Pick a Destination: Decide where you’ll go if evacuation is ordered. Consider staying with friends or family further inland or booking a hotel room in advance. Don’t wait until the last minute!
• Gather Supplies: Pack an evacuation bag with essentials like medications, important documents, toiletries, a change of clothes for everyone, and a batterypowered radio.
in high winds. Secure loose outdoor furniture and grills.
• Stock Up on Supplies: Have a non-perishable food and water supply that can last your family for at least three days. Don’t forget about pet food! Gather batteries, flashlights, a first-aid kit, and a manual can opener.
Stay Informed
Fortified Roof Grants
Homeowners on the Outer Banks have another powerful opportunity to affordably strengthen and protect your properties through the Strengthen Your Roof grant program. Managed by the North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association, the program offers eligible NCIUA policyholders a grant to install an IBHS FORTIFIED Roof,™ a resilient roofing system engineered to withstand high winds and severe storms. Some of you might recall last year, the program offered grants of up to $8,000. Another round of grants has been announced for 2025, this time offering grants of up to $10,000. This is a fully funded opportunity with no repayment required. Visit StrengthenYourRoof for more information.
• Know your Flood Zone: Find out if your home is at risk of flooding and if it is in a flood zone. You can visit OBXFloodMaps.com for more information and to learn about flood risks in our area. Keep in mind, hurricanes can affect more than just the oceanfront. The Outer Banks is prone to soundside flooding depending on the track of the storm, so be prepared and plan ahead!
Protect Your Home
• Windows and Doors: Invest in hurricane shutters or plywood to protect your windows and doors. Apply them securely as soon as a hurricane watch is issued.
• Trim Trees and Yard: Remove dead branches and overhanging limbs that could become projectiles
• Monitor Weather Reports: Closely follow weather forecasts from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) and local news outlets. Stay updated on storm tracks and potential impacts.
• Sign Up for Alerts: Register for Currituck and Dare County’s emergency alert system at OBXAlerts.com to receive timely updates and evacuation orders.
Remember
• Don’t Ignore Evacuation Orders: Leaving early is crucial for your safety. Don’t risk riding out a storm in a vulnerable area. Know the best evacuation route and consider traffic as congestion will likely be heavy once the order is called.
• Document Your Property: Take photos and videos of your home and belongings before the storm season. This will help with insurance claims, if necessary.
Additional Resources
Dare Co. Emergency Management
National Hurricane Center
Our sales brokers share their insider tips in Agent Spotlights. This season reveals their recommendations of their favorite Outer Banks fireworks displays and how best to enjoy them. There’s nothing quite like the 4th of July on the Outer Banks—the beautiful beaches, the salty sea breeze, charming small town celebrations, and bursts of color lighting up the sky over the water. On the Outer Banks, we offer a choice of experience from watching fireworks displays over the ocean from the beach, or over the sound in Corolla or Manteo. Whether you’re drawn to setting up a beach chair in the sand or spreading a blanket on the lawn, these tips will help you experience the magic for yourself. Scroll down to see their favorite places to celebrate Independence Day, OBX-style.
Jessica
Our family tradition and my favorite place to watch the fireworks is at the Nags Head Fishing Pier put on by the Town of Nags Head. It really is a great show and any of the nearby beach accesses have fantastic views. Locals and visitors start to grab their spots with beach chairs and blankets around 7:30 to catch the 9:25 show. The closer you can be to the pier, the better the view!
Agent Spotlights
Connie
Festival Park in Manteo has a spectacular fireworks show on the 4th of July. And I love seeing it up close. I park at the end of Compton St. in Manteo and walk a few steps to the boardwalk that circles the harbor and leads to the heart of downtown Manteo and Marshes Lighthouse. This boardwalk provides a ring side view of this dazzling display. The fireworks are so close I feel like I am being sprinkled
with heavenly colors and light. I love being proximate to the water and the wondrous fireworks show. Go early as parking can be challenging.
Randy
There’s something special about seeing fireworks at the beach. We are fortunate that we can watch the Manteo fireworks from across the sound on our rear deck. The fireworks’ reflection off the water makes it especially pretty and the delayed “boom” traveling across the sound is really cool. But we also love watching the Nags Head fireworks from the Nags Head pier. Watching the fireworks light up over the ocean is a special treat.
Vanessa
The Town of Manteo hosts an incredible display of fireworks for the 4th of July over the Roanoke Sound and Shallowbag Bay! I understand that 2025 will be no exception. I’ve been fortunate to witness the magic from the bow of our sailboat for many years. It’s become a tradition to watch this stunning and incredible show put on by the town on our home away from home. Locals and visitors can find a spot along the downtown docks or a seat at the famed Roanoke Island Festival Park to catch the show. You won’t want to miss it!
MARKET SALES
DATA OBTAINED FROM OUTER BANKS ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS FOR PERIOD 01/1 THROUGH 06/01 FOR 2024 AND 2025.
MARKET NOTES
• This spring the real estate market has been a mixed bag. Overall, residential sales are down 6% from June 1, 2024. However, there has been a recent spike in listings under contract.
• Average days on market are up to 72 days, although this is still significantly below the historical pre-COVID average.
• Residential inventory is up 54% from this time last year, but still below the pre-COVID normal range of 1200–1500 active listings in MLS.
• The average sale price continues to sit at about 96.5% of list price. There are a number of listings that still attract multiple offers and sell above list price. Overall, the market is trending towards more of a buyer’s market.
UNIT
SALES BY TOWN
PRICE BY TOWN
TIPS FROM THE BROKERS
FOR BUYERS:
1. Get pre-qualified from a local OBX lender.
2. Be ready to move quickly on your chosen listing.
3. Be prepared to offer some amount of Due Diligence Fee to the seller with your Offer to Purchase.
4. For cash offers, make sure you have a Proof of Funds verification letter.
5. Shopping for homeowners insurance should be a top priority upon getting a listing under contract.
FOR SELLERS:
1. Make sure your agent uses a professional photographer for listing photos.
2. Address any known repair issues.
3. Know your closing costs:
a) Realtor Commission;
b) Dare County Transfer Tax @ 1%;
c) NC State Stamp @ .2%;
d) Closing Attorney ~$500; and
e) Prorated property taxes & HOA dues
Interested in receiving an accurate assessment of your home’s current market value? Call our experienced sales brokers at 252.489.2121.
