National Hurricane Preparedness Week runs from Sunday, May 3, 2026 through Saturday, May 9, 2026, and Dare County Emergency Management encourages all Dare County residents and property owners to take the proper steps to ensure they are fully prepared for the upcoming hurricane season, which officially begins on Monday, June 1, 2026.
This means planning in advance so you’ll be signed up to receive customized emergency alerts and other critical notifications, have an emergency kit stocked and ready to go if a storm strikes, and have your 2026 reentry pass ready to present to local officials once it’s safe to return to Dare County following an evacuation.
Apply for a 2026 Reentry Permit
To enter Dare County following a mandatory evacuation, a current reentry permit—or other acceptable documents showing that you are eligible to reenter—must be presented. A staged reentry process is used to facilitate a safe and orderly return that allows the recovery process to begin, and no one will be denied entry with proper identification. Acceptable documents are outlined for each reentry stage at DareNC.gov/Reentry. Non-resident property owners and the owners/managers of local businesses are encouraged to visit DareNC.gov/Reentry to review reentry requirements/priority levels and to submit a 2026 reentry permit application.
Permanent Dare County residents can reenter by presenting a valid North Carolina Driver License/Identification Card issued by the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles—or a Voter Registration Card issued by the North Carolina State Board of Elections along with a government-issued photo ID that matches the name on the Voter Registration Card. The Driver License, Identification Card or Voter Registration Card must display a Dare County address to gain entry. Although not required, permanent Dare County residents can also display a current reentry permit to expedite movement through traffic control points.
Please note that expired reentry permits from previous years will not be accepted. For more information about reentry—and to apply for a 2026 reentry permit from Dare County Emergency Management—visit DareNC.gov/Reentry.
REMINDER: Visitors/members of the general public will only be permitted to enter Dare County following a mandatory evacuation once conditions have returned to normal and there is no longer a threat to public safety—at which time reentry documentation will no longer be needed.
Sign Up for OBX Alerts
Sign up to receive customized emergency alerts—including severe weather watches and warnings, public safety and emergency-related warnings, countywide evacuation orders and other time-critical notifications—via the OBX Alerts platform by visiting OBXAlerts.com. You can also sign up to receive OBX Alerts via text message by texting “DareEmergencyAlerts” to 77295.
Prepare Your Emergency Kit
Don’t wait until it’s too late to gather all of the supplies you will need to keep yourself, your family and your pets safe in an emergency. Building an emergency kit in advance can save you time, money and potentially even your life. Be sure your emergency kit includes the following items, but also don’t forget to consider the unique circumstances of your family in case additional or alternative items are needed.
- Water (1 gallon per person, per day for at least 3 days)
- Non-Perishable Food (3-day supply per person)
- Emergency Light Sources
- Portable Radio
- Extra Batteries
- First Aid Kit
- Medications
- Infant/Pet Supplies (if needed)
- Blanket (1 per person)
- Important Family Documents
Download the Dare County Hurricane Guide
For detailed information about the hazards associated with storms that affect Dare County, including a wide array of resources to ensure you are prepared during hurricane season, click here to download the Dare County Hurricane Guide.
For more information about how you can protect yourself, your family, your pets and your property this hurricane season, visit DareNC.gov/Hurricanes.
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