Albemarle Regional Health Services, the community healthcare provider for Currituck County, reminds citizens to take steps for preventing Recreational Water Illnesses (RWI). RWIs are caused by germs or chemicals found in swimming pools, hot tubs, lakes, rivers, estuaries, and oceans.
Vibrio infections, E.coli – shiga toxin, Shigellosis, and Cryptosporidiosis are all Recreational Water Illnesses (RWIs). These illnesses are more common in summer. RWIs are infections that can be contracted by swallowing, breathing in, or having contact with contaminated water. The most common types of RWIs include gastrointestinal illnesses, skin infections, respiratory infections, and ear infections. These illnesses can be caused by various pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
Safety Tips for Preventing RWIs
Don’t swim if you are sick.
Don’t swim if you have a compromised immune system or open wounds.
Take a quick shower with soap and water before entering the water.
Don’t swallow the water.
Use proper hygiene practices, such as washing your hands thoroughly after using the restroom or changing diapers.
Change diapers in designated changing areas, not near the water.
Keep water clean if you own a pool or hot tub and regularly test the water.
Avoid swimming in high risk areas or situations. Wait 24-48 hours to swim after a heavy rainfall and avoid swimming near an ocean outfall.
Stay informed of any local advisories or warnings regarding water quality from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality by visiting their NC Recreational Water Quality Swimming Advisory Map.
Teach children about water safety, the importance of not swallowing water, and good hygiene practices.
Report any water quality concerns to the NC Department of Environmental Quality, local health department, or swimming pool operators.
Currituck County Geographic Information Services (GIS) launched a new interactive online map this week. This map is very user-friendly, features improved graphics, and provides a range of information on county properties.
You can search for properties in several ways – by parcel number, global PIN, address, owner’s name, and street name. Advanced search capability and data layers provide many details. Check out this useful tool at https://maps.currituckcountync.gov/gis/
Currituck County has been awarded more than $1 million from the North Carolina Department of Transportation to fund infrastructure improvements at the Currituck County Regional Airport. The award will fund the replacement of the airport’s fuel facility that provides gasoline for airplanes. Currituck County receives $1,123,000 from the state for the project.
The Currituck Regional Airport averages more than 60 aircraft operations per day and the fuel farm is a key component of the airport’s success. Self-serve AvGas and Jet-A fuels are available for pilots on a 24/7 basis.
Currituck County is in the process of receiving bids for this project. A projected completion date has not yet been established.
Currituck County celebrated the construction of a new Public Works facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 5, 2023. Members of the Board of Commissioners were joined by county staff and other visitors to tour the building and talk with the project development team.
The facility provides much-needed storage, maintenance, and office space for the Public Works Department. It features garage bays on each end, staff offices, meeting rooms, and a customer service area. It is located in Maple, next to the Currituck Regional Airport terminal.
The Public Works Department is responsible for maintaining 57 county-owned buildings, more than 11 miles of walkways, five beach access ramps, and lighting and signage for all county buildings and parking lots. Staff also manages the county’s solid waste and recycling convenience centers. Public Works staff also secure buildings ahead of incoming storms and respond with facility and grounds cleanup after emergencies.
Special thanks goes to the project development team, consisting of the Currituck County Engineering Department, Sussex Development Corporation, Beacon Architecture, and Eastern Carolina Construction, for brining this project to completion.
Currituck County Government created a new webpage to serve as a resource for prospective and current business owners in the county. Managed by the Planning & Inspections, the webpage provides valuable information on many aspects of owning a business in Currituck County, such as zoning, permits, building and fire codes, and inspections.
Currituck County Fire-Emergency Medical Services received a grant for $7,520 from Albemarle Regional Health Services, under the Community Linkages to Care Grant, to help the county’s efforts against opioid abuse. The grant will be used to purchase injectable Naloxone and associated supplies for Naloxone (Narcan) administration for opioid overdoses.
In case of an opioid overdose, call 9-1-1 immediately. Learn more about recognizing signs of opioid overdose from the United States Department of Health and Human Services here. You can also contact Currituck Fire-EMS for more information at 252-232-7746.
Currituck County held two ribbon-cutting ceremonies on August 10, 2023 to celebrate the completion of renovation projects at Moyock Middle School and Moyock Elementary School. Members of the Board of Commissioners, Board of Education, county staff, and school personnel were joined by many county residents and students at each site. Also attending were officials from Sussex Development Corp. and Boomerang Design. These companies formed the project team to complete the renovations in time for the start of the new school year.
At Moyock Middle School, the project included an expansion of the cafeteria and renovations to create a new chorus room and new band classroom. A new outdoor patio seating area was built near the main office lobby in the heart of the school. Six new classrooms, including a new sixth grade science lab, were constructed and added onto the facility’s three main academic wings.
The project at Moyock Elementary School involved the demolition of an older section of the school and replacing it with a new two-story building, connected to the main school building. The addition includes the school’s cafeteria and 16 classrooms. First and second grade students at MES will be housed in the new addition.
The Currituck County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council recently obtained a large number of gun locks that are now available for county residents. These gun locks are FREE for citizens. Each gun lock used will help make our community a safer place!
These free gun locks will be distributed from the Parks and Recreation office inside the YMCA building. Stop by during normal business hours or call (252) 232-3007 for more information.
The Atlantic Ocean hurricane season is underway. Currituck Emergency Management encourages all citizens to remain prepared in case a severe storm comes towards the county. Key reminders include:
Prepare an emergency safety kit and hurricane plan for your family.
Include a 3 day supply of food, water, clothes, flashlights, batteries, cell phone chargers, medicines, first aid kit, and other necessities.
Check the expiration dates on all supplies and medicines.
Check your homeowner’s insurance policy for any changes you may need.
Talk to your family about hurricanes and your emergency safety plan.
Consider any special medical needs for your family and include those in your plan.
Remember to include your pets in your emergency plan. The Currituck Animal Shelter does not take in pets during a storm.
Make a checklist of tasks you’ll need to prepare your home and property before a storm.
If you have a generator, stock your fuel supply before the storm and keep it in a safe place.
Visit ReadyNC.gov for helpful suggestions and checklists.
Develop an evacuation plan.
There are NO pre-storm shelters in Currituck County. Listen to local radio stations or watch the county website www.currituckgovernment.com for out-of-county shelters that will host Currituck County evacuees.
Take your Currituck County Access permit when you evacuate. This will serve as your re-entry pass after the storm.
Discuss your evacuation plan with your family.
Fuel your vehicle ahead of time, along with general preventative maintenance (check fluids, air pressure in tires, etc.).
Make sure you have everything needed to change a flat tire.
Have current maps or GPS devices with you in case traffic is unexpectedly rerouted.
Take a cell phone charger for your vehicle, first aid kit, and important documents (birth certificates, passports, deeds, etc.).
Pack enough water and snacks for everyone.
Remember to take your pets and pet food.
Listen for evacuation notifications and leave as early as possible to avoid the heaviest traffic volume.
Stay informed throughout hurricane season.
Monitor www.weather.gov for the latest news on storms in the Atlantic Ocean.
Sign up for Currituck Alert to receive timely alert messages from Currituck County.
Text SAFECOROLLA to 888-777 for Currituck County beach information.
Call Currituck Emergency Management at 252-232-2115 if you have any questions about hurricane preparedness or evacuations.
National Child Abuse Prevention Month in America is an annual observance in the United States dedicated to raising awareness and preventing child abuse. April has been designated a Child Abuse Prevention Month since 1983. National Child Abuse Prevention Month recognizes the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect. Prevention services and supports developed by this collaboration can help to protect children and strengthen families.
During the month of April, Currituck County Department of Social Services participated in National Child Abuse Prevention Month by wearing blue on National Wear Blue Day, April 28, 2023 and by planting a blue pinwheel garden outside of the agency’s entrance.
If you know or suspect any child abuse or neglect in Currituck County, please contact DSS at 252-232-3083 to speak with a social worker.
