Hurricane Isaias
Update 5 – 08/03/20 @ 10:45 AM — Mayor Phillips has issued a State of Emergency for the Town of Sunset Beach establishing a curfew from 6:00 PM, today, August 3, 2020 until 6:00 AM on Tuesday, August 4, 2020.
Officials with the National Weather Service are projecting Tropical Storm Isaias to make landfall tonight with tropical storm force winds beginning around 5:00 PM, with the strongest winds, sustained at 50 – 60 mph, expected between 6 – 9 PM with winds subsiding by 1 -2 AM. A storm surge of 3 – 5 feet is expected between 7 – 11 PM which could be higher due to the full moon and high tide at 8:30 PM. The expected rainfall is 3″ – 6″ between 7:00 PM – 2:00 AM which could cause flash flooding in low lying and flood prone areas.
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Isaias is expected to make landfall in our area as either a very strong Tropical Storm or low level Cat 1 Hurricane and is still predicted to impact our area Monday night into early Tuesday morning.
Update 4 – 08/02/20 @ 10:30 AM — A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for our area. Officials with the National Weather Service are projecting now Tropical Storm Isaias to continue its track close to the coast of Florida today. As of now, they expect it to be passing through our area late Monday night/early Tuesday morning and should be out of the area by early afternoon on Tuesday. They are predicting tropical storm force winds of 40-50 mph sustained winds with gusts of 60-65 mph during the event. Rainfall estimates currently are 4”-6” but coastal areas can expect the higher of that range with isolated incidents of 8” may occur. The storm will be accelerating through our areas so they do not predict that the rainfall will be a major issue. There is a potential for flash flooding but it will not be widespread. The risk of tornadoes is higher than previously thought with the greatest risk being late Monday night to early Tuesday morning. Brunswick County is under a storm surge watch as it is predicted to move through our area overnight on Monday during the high tide timeframe coupled with a full moon. Strong rip currents and rough seas will persist over the next couple of days. As a reminder public safety personnel will cease to respond once conditions become unsafe for travel and they will not respond to the island once the winds reach 50 mph sustained. Residents and visitors are encouraged to finalize emergency preparedness activities today.
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Update 3 – 08/01/20 @ 11:30 AM — Staff is continuing emergency preparedness activities and monitoring Hurricane Isaias today. Residents are reminded to secure their trash/recycling cans when leaving the area. The GFL Convenient Site, for residential trash and recycling, is located at 746 Seaside Road and is open on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 8 AM to 6 PM. Below are some links to help you stay up-to-date on information and mapping for hurricanes:
• National Hurricane Center https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ or https://www.hurricanes.gov/
• National Weather Service Wilmington https://www.weather.gov/ilm/
• Weather Underground Hurricane Page https://www.wunderground.com/hurricane
Update 2 – 07/31/20 @ 5:00 PM — In advance of Hurricane Isaias, the Public Works Department Staff will begin removing the trashcans and mobi-mats from the beach strand on Saturday and Sunday. Please take your trash with you when exiting the strand. Staff will also be removing the swings in the Town Park.
Brunswick County has released the following information concerning the public shelters:
Over the past several months, members of Brunswick County Emergency Services, Brunswick County Health and Human Services, Brunswick County Schools and the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office have reviewed and improved the County’s hurricane emergency response plans, particularly concerning sheltering.
Brunswick County Emergency Services is closely monitoring Isaias and will provide guidance and information as the system progresses. Here is what you need to know and plan for in the event of a potential storm.
New Public Shelters and Sheltering Rules
Brunswick County’s hurricane response plans includes two primary shelter locations in the event of a hurricane this year. Social distancing will reduce the capacity at shelters this year due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Shelters should be only considered as a last resort.
Take the next couple of days to reach out to family or friends or locate a more inland location to shelter at in the event of a hurricane. Remember: You should not shelter at home when an evacuation order is issued for your municipality or the county.
Brunswick County’s primary shelters for 2020 are at new locations, so make plans to travel to these sites if you do not have an alternative option. The County will communicate the opening of these public shelters when necessary:
- Cedar Grove Middle School / 750 Grove Trail, SW, Supply, NC 28462
- Town Creek Middle School / 6370 Lake Park Dr. SE, Winnabow, NC 28479
Individuals who need special accommodations at shelters or guidance on what to do in the event of a hurricane are encouraged to sign up for the Access & Functional/Special Medical Needs Registry. Emergency Services has been reaching out to individuals on this registry the past few months to help individuals prepare for potential disaster events.
To prevent and protect individuals from the spread of COVID-19 in shelters, all individuals at public shelters must follow these rules:
- Face coverings or masks must be worn at all times. Individuals are encouraged to bring their own preferred cloth face coverings or masks. Disposable face coverings will be provided to anyone who does not have one.
- All shelter guests must undergo a pre-screening for COVID-19 before entering the shelter. This will consist of a answering a series of questions about potential COVID-19 symptoms they could be experiencing, if they have tested positive for COVID-19, or if they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive.
- Any individual suspected to have COVID-19 will be required to stay in an isolated section of the shelter to prevent potential spread.
Additionally, individuals should anticipate the following should they stay in a shelter:
- Ready-to-eat meal kits and bottled water are available to shelter guests for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Due to concerns about COVID-19, hot meals will not be cooked at the shelters. Individuals are encouraged to bring their own pre-cooked, non-perishable foods or snacks.
- Each individual will be assigned to a dedicated cot (bed). Individuals are encouraged to bring their own preferred blanket, sleeping bag, and/or pillow.
- Individuals and families must remain in their assigned section of the building at all times.
Please continue to monitor the storm closely.
