Full Notification

Walking on ponds, canals, and other partially frozen waterways can be dangerous.

Advisory: Avoid Walking on Ice

Recent cold weather has caused the formation of ice over smaller bodies of water and in shallow areas of the sounds. Ice covered water can appear to be solid enough to support your weight; however walking on ice in our area is extremely dangerous.
Experts say that ice must reach a clear thickness of at least four inches to support the weight of one person. Ice of that thickness takes an extended period of constantly below freezing temperatures to form. Currituck County has not experienced temperatures low enough to cause that amount of freezing. Our area very rarely maintains temperatures to allow sufficient ice formation to support a person. Ice formation in our area is also inconsistent. Ice that appears to be thick in one location is often paper thin only a short distance away. Because of the danger to children who may be tempted to play on ice covered water, parents are asked to warn their children of the hazards of playing or walking on ice.
Similar dangers occur with pets. Owners should watch their pets to be sure they do not venture out on to ice covered water. It is also dangerous for children to play on ice covered banks near water where they can slip and slide into the water.
Should you see a person fall though the ice, call 911 immediately. Do not go onto the ice yourself to rescue a person or a pet since you could become a victim. Try to reach the victim by using an outstretched rope, rolled blanket, pole, tree limb, belt or something similar until help arrives. If you do attempt to reach them with one of those items, be sure you are braced to avoid being pulled into the icy water.

Address/Location
Currituck County Sheriff's Office
407 Maple Rd
Maple, NC 27956

Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 252-453-8204

Susan Johnson Sheriff
Currituck County Sheriff's Office
sjohnson@co.currituck.nc.us
252-453-8204