At this time there are no restrictions regarding curfews or alcohol sales.

That is subject to change as weather conditions deteriorate, the county said in a statement.

The first shelter will open at the Kirkwood Adams Community Center in Roanoke Rapids at 7 this evening.

This shelter is designated primarily for evacuees from Dare County.

Other shelters will open as follows:

William R. Davie Middle S.T.E.M. Academy in Roanoke Rapids (4391 Hwy 158, Roanoke Rapids) – opening Thursday at 8 a.m.

Enfield-Inborden S.T.E.A.M. Academy in Enfield (13587 Hwy 481, Enfield) – opening Thursday  at 8:00 a.m.

Scotland Neck Senior Center in Scotland Neck (1403 Church Street) – opening Thursday at 8 a.m.

Residents who go to shelters need to bring home medications, personal hygiene items and baby supplies.

Food options may be limited so if you or anyone in your family has dietary restrictions, consider bringing food from home.

Weapons, drugs and alcohol are prohibited in shelters.

Residents are reminded that once sustained winds reach 45 mph ambulances and other large emergency responder vehicles will not be operating.

Residents are strongly encouraged to go to a shelter before conditions rapidly deteriorate or be prepared to shelter in place until it is safe for responders to get back on the roads.

Updated closings

District court in Bertie and Hertford counties has been cancelled for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Criminal and civil courts for Halifax and Northampton counties are closed Thursday and Friday.

Cornerstone Christian will close at noon Wednesday and will be closed Thursday and Friday.

The doors of the post offices in Roanoke Rapids, Gaston and Garysburg will be closed when the window areas are closed and open when the window areas are open.

This DMV office at Highway 125 and Three Bridges Road in Roanoke Rapids will close at noon Wednesday and will remain closed until further notice.

Weldon Elementary Global Academy will close at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Weldon Middle School will close at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Weldon High School will close at 12:15 p.m. Wednesday.

Roanoke Valley Early College will close at noon Wednesday.

Roanoke Rapids Graded Schools will close two hours early Wednesday and remain closed Thursday. A decision on Friday operations will be forthcoming.

Dominion statement on dam operations

The well-being and safety of our customers and the residents of Lake Gaston is a priority for Dominion Energy.

With the approach of Hurricane Florence, we are readying the dams at Lake Gaston and Roanoke Rapids Lake by preparing the spillway gates for quick operation, inspecting equipment and reviewing high flow procedures.

If Florence should cause significant flooding in the Roanoke River Basin, Dominion will work closely with the Corps of Engineers to manage the water flow for both the lakes and downstream, but if severe flooding occurs, the lakes and the river may rise higher than what has occurred in the past and lakeside and riverside owners should prepare their property now by moving items to higher ground or securing those items that cannot be moved.

Dominion advises people to keep well away from the dams and discharges, particularly during flood operations, as flows can change quickly creating strong currents and turbulence above and below the dams, and opening of spillway gates can create dangers in areas that are normally calm.The dams are built to withstand flows far in excess of the record flood on the Roanoke River and both dams are inspected regularly by Dominion and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Both lakes are being kept at the low end of the license required levels to maximize the storage capacity available and Dominion is communicating regularly with the Corps of Engineers at Kerr Lake and FERC.