At the sea turtle hospital, staff members will be boarding up windows and dismantling pumps for the turtles' special water system.

Jean Beasley is executive director of the center. She says they have transportation and a safe haven ready for the turtles just in case Topsail Beach evacuates.

"We are prepared right now to evacuate the turtles. If we have to evacuate, we take the turtles. We do not leave this island that the turtles don't follow the orders as well."

Beasley says moving the turtles is a last resort since they are injured and the move could cause further stress.

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