SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — As Debby has put the region under a tropical storm watch, some area governments and municipalities have declared states of emergency.
READ MORE: Tornado and tropical storm watch in effect, governor issues state of emergency
ALSO: Preparing for Debby’s approach
The state of emergency allows for aid to be procured for towns by entities like FEMA and gives authorities leverage to keep the public safe.
In Brunswick County — already feeling the brunt of the storm with heavy rains, flooding and multiple tornado warnings Tuesday — commissioner chairman Randy Thompson signed off on a emergency proclamation. It affects unincorporated areas of the county and initiates a voluntary evacuation for low-lying and flood-prone areas.
“Don’t take this storm for granted simply because it is labeled a tropical storm,” he wrote in a statement. “There will be severe weather impacts throughout the week, and it is up to all of us to stay alert and do everything we can to be prepared and safe.”
A shelter at Town Creek Middle School will open in Brunswick County on Wednesday, at 9 a.m.; it accepts cats and dogs only. Coastal
North Carolina, from Brunswick to Pender counties, have been elevated from a tropical storm watch to a warning as of noon Tuesday, with storm surge and tornado watches in effect, the latter extended to 1 a.m. on Aug. 7.
Tornado warnings have popped off throughout the day in Brunswick County. The National Weather Service of Wilmington tracked a potential thunderstorm with the radar detecting a rotation near Ocean Isle Beach around 1 p.m.
Tropical storm force conditions can be felt 205 miles from Debby’s center. Copious rainfall is the biggest threat, with upward of 16 inches felt across most of the region though 20 inches can be expected in some low-lying areas particularly in Brunswick County. The county’s coast could see rising surge, possibly 4 feet, in areas like Southport, Calabash and Holden Beach.
The county’s state of emergency provides the sheriff’s office authority to redirect entry and exit onto roadways impacted by flooding, felled trees or the like. The state of emergency could be amended as Debby tracks closer to the Cape Fear; she is moving 5 miles per hour, slowly expected to head northward after making landfall again in South Carolina by Thursday.
All county offices are currently operating on normal hours; however, emergency management is at an enhanced, level 3 monitoring stage.
Towns and municipalities have to individually execute their own states of emergency as well. Southport activated at noon, with its city offices closing at that time as well. The Southport Emergency Operations Center will go online at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 7; its main number is (910) 457-7915.
On nearby Bald Head Island, Mayor Quinn also proclaimed a state of emergency; it does not mandate evacuations or curfews. The town’s offices will be closed tomorrow and Thursday, with staff working remotely. Essential employees will be on the island throughout the event to monitor downed trees and clear roads.
The Town of Oak Island also is under a voluntary evacuation, but the town suggests anyone who wishes to do so, do it now as to avoid flooding to prevent travel. The town mayor signed the state of emergency on Tuesday, but it does not include curfews or alcohol sale restrictions, and the town’s emergency center has been activated.
Boiling Springs Lake is under a state of emergency, though at this time it doesn’t include evacuations or curfews. Signed by Mayor Jeff Winecoff, it allows law enforcement and town staff to work in consideration of its emergency response plan.
The Town of Holden Beach‘s state of emergency only calls for voluntary evacuations; the town warns utilities — water, sewer and electric — are subject to interruption. All programs and events have been canceled until further notice.
Both the towns of Belville and Leland also issued states of emergency, the latter with a voluntary evacuation. Leland’s town facilities will close Aug. 7 and 8 and is expected to operate normal hours on Aug. 9. The Leland Police Department and Leland Fire/Rescue will remain operational throughout the storm.
Town of Ocean Isle Beach also executed a state of emergency at its 5 p.m. meeting Tuesday, with a voluntary evacuation beginning 7 a.m. Wednesday, due to potential heavy rainfall and poor road conditions.
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