Forecasts show Hurricane Matthew shifting eastward into the Atlantic on Wednesday, but officials in eastern Beaufort and Hyde counties are still preparing for the worst.

In the Belhaven area, officials continue to work with Beaufort County Emergency Management Services to stay informed and prepared for Matthew.

“We’re making all the necessary precautions to be ready for a storm — looking at the utilities, looking at the water, looking at the fuel,” town Manager Woody Jarvis said. “We’re not going to take down our guard. … There’s a whole lot of wait and see.”

Jarvis said although the hurricane models had shifted east on Wednesday, heavy rains are still a high probability, and that means flooding throughout Belhaven.

“Over the years, we have had other storms that have gone out to sea and come back,” he said. “We just don’t know what to expect.”

The Hyde County Board of Commissioners issued a state of emergency for the county on Tuesday, and it remains in effect as of now.

The state Ferry Division is also assisting with an Ocracoke Island evacuation — for visitors as of 5 a.m. Wednesday, and unless changed, for residents early today.

Hyde County officials said it would continue to monitor conditions and may suspend the evacuation, but as of Wednesday afternoon, it was still mandatory, according to a press release.

“The Hyde County Emergency Services Department is continuing to monitor Hurricane Matthew. This is a storm that should be taken very seriously for its potential to result in catastrophic impacts for portions of the area. Regardless of the exact track or strength, there is the potential for dangerous conditions across the entire area,” the release stated.

Hyde County’s emergency services also issued tips for flood proofing homes: elevate electrical/HVAC items above base-flood elevation; clean out gutters and downspouts; store chemicals and/or fertilizers above base-flood elevation.

“We’re going to continue to stay prepared,” Jarvis said. “We’re going to keep our fingers crossed.”

Update: Hyde County officials have suspended the Ocracoke Island evacuations for visitors and residents. Ferry operations will continue as usual through Thursday.