Local and state government officials have issued mandatory evacuations for coastal residents ahead of Hurricane Florence. But that doesn't mean everyone has cleared out.
Some will stay to ride out the storm. One of them is Kitty Hawk resident, Marissa Burton.
On Tuesday, Burton could be found working at The Christmas Mouse, a popular destination for holiday decorations, moving merchandise to the second floor in case of flooding.
She says most businesses, including grocery stores, have already closed. Some pharmacies are still open.
Burton says her own home is situated on one of the highest points on the Outer Banks, so she's not concerned about flooding.
“There's always the chance of wind damage," she says. "But the house has been through several storms and hasn't suffered any damage, you know, there's always a first time, so that's a chance you take. But the people who live here are hardy stock and most everybody who's a resident is staying.”
Burton is taking precautions to secure her home and has stocked up on storm essentials.
Hurricane Florence is currently a Category 4 storm and is expected to make landfall Thursday. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has called it a “dangerous, life-threatening, historic Hurricane.”