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Hurricane updates for Pender and Onslow Counties
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TOPSAIL VOICE
Pender County schools closed Friday
The Pender County Schools will be closed for students on Friday, Sept. 5, due to Tropical Storm Hanna. It will be an optional workday for teachers and staff. The storm is expected to reach hurricane status at landfall on Friday.
Onslow schools closed Friday
The Onslow County Schools will be closed for students on Friday, Sept. 5, due to Tropical Storm Hanna. It will be an optional workday for teachers and staff. The storm is expected to reach hurricane status at landfall on Friday.
The following schools will open as primary shelters beginning at 1 pm: Dixon Middle, Jacksonville Commons Middle, Richlands High, Swansboro High, and White Oak High. Pets are permitted only at Jacksonville Commons Middle.
For updated information, please contact the school system's weather line at 910-989-2211. Additionally, stay tuned to local media.
Pender County schedules public advisory update
Pender County Board of Commissioners Chairman David Williams has scheduled a public advisory update on Tropical Storm Hanna for Friday, September 5, 2008.
The advisory update will begin at 9 a.m. at the Pender County Public Assembly Room located at 805 S. Walker Street in Burgaw.
Pender County Emergency Management Director Eddie King will share the most recent information related to the storm’s path and county preparedness plans.
Elected officials and staff, emergency responders, the media and the general public is invited to attend.
Pender County operates an emergency operations center out of the Pender County Law Enforcement building in Burgaw in the event of a storm. Pender County shelters are located at Topsail Middle School, Burgaw Middle School, Malpass Corner Elementary School and Cape Fear Elementary School. In the event of a smaller storm without a mandatory evacuation, shelters may still be opened. Details will be provided on Pender County’s website, www.penderem.com, and the county’s AM transmitter. The AM transmitter broadcasts information at a frequency of 1640 in the Hampstead area and 1620 in the Sloop Point and Surf City area.
American Red Cross prepares to open Onslow shelters
The Onslow County Chapter of the American Red Cross has activated its Disaster Ready Team in preparation for the impact of Hurricane Hanna Your Red Cross is on alert to respond and provide emergency services that may include mass care, family assistance, and disaster health services, among others to meet the disaster-related needs of victims.
In addition, the Red Cross will open six shelters in Onslow County at 1 pm on Friday, Sept. 5, to provide safe shelter for individuals and families evacuated from risk-prone areas in the path of Hurricane Hanna. The shelters will be located at: Dixon Middle School, Swansboro High School, Richlands High School, Southwest Middle School, Jacksonville Commons Middle School, White Oak High School,
The only shelter that accepts animals is the Jacksonville Commons Middle School. The site is a co-located human and pet shelter. The pet shelter is operated by the Onslow County Animal Response Team and is limited to domestic pets. Pets must be in carriers, with current vaccinations, and accompanied by their owners.
Families and individuals are advised to bring along basic emergency and personal items that will be needed in the shelters. Such items include pillows and bedding items, toothbrush, toothpaste, essential medications and other health related items, extra clothing, and a quiet toy or activity for children. Medications requiring refrigeration should be brought in a cooler or thermos. Alcoholic beverages and weapons are not allowed.
“The Red Cross Disaster Ready Team is the group that monitors hurricanes and plans, prepares and mobilizes both human and material resources before a hurricane hits and the watch teams are activated at the local, state, and national levels” said Red Cross Executive Joy Branham. “Within 72 hours, they take emergency actions such as: reviewing high-risk areas and coordinating preventive operations with community leaders, along with other components of the preparedness phase.”
The Red Cross strongly recommends that individuals and families take preventive measures to ensure their personal safety, including: Listening to media hurricane progress reports. Securing a battery-operated radio, flashlight and extra batteries. Checking emergency supplies, including food, water and clothing. Fueling vehicles. Bringing in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, toys and garden tools, anchor objects that cannot be brought inside. Securing building by closing and boarding up windows. Removing outside antennas. Turning refrigerator and freezer to coldest setting. Open only when absolutely necessary and close quickly.
For more hurricane safety information, access the Red Cross website at www.redcross.org/disaster/safety or call the Onslow County Chapter at 910-347-3581.
Governed by volunteers and supported entirely by voluntary community donations, the American Red Cross is a nationwide network of nearly 1,000 chapters and Blood Services regions dedicated to saving lives and helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Led by 1.2 million volunteers and 30,000 employees, the Red Cross annually mobilizes relief to families affected by more than 67,000 disasters, trains almost 12 million people in lifesaving skills and exchanges more than a million emergency messages for U.S. military service personnel and their families. The Red Cross is the largest supplier of blood and blood products to more than 3,000 hospitals across the nation and also assists victims of international disasters and conflicts at locations worldwide.
All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of [this disaster] and thousands of other disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make secure online credit card donations by visiting www.onslow.redcross.org.
Important and Helpful Links
North Carolina's Emergency Preperation Website
http://readync.org/
Town of Surf City Website
http://surfcity.govoffice.com/
Town of Topsail Beach Website
http://topsailbeach.org/
Town of North Topsail Beach Website
http://www.north-topsail-beach.org/
Town of Holly Ridge website
http://www.townofhollyridge.com/
Pender County Emergency Management
http://www.penderem.com/
Pender County Government
http://www.pender-county.com/
Pender County Schools
http://www.pendercountyschools.net
Onslow County Emergency Management
http://www.onslowcountync.gov/emergencyservices/
Onslow County Government
http://www.onslowcountync.gov/
North Carolina's Emergency Preperation Website
http://readync.org/
Onslow County Schools
http://www.onslowcounty.schoolinsites.com/
Precautions to take during a hurricane
If a hurricane is likely in your area, you should: Listen to the radio or TV for information; Secure your home, close storm shutters, and secure outdoor objects or bring them indoors; Turn off utilities if instructed to do so. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting and keep its doors closed.
Turn off propane tanks; Avoid using the phone, except for serious emergencies; Moor your boat if time permits; Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purposes such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other large containers with water.
You should evacuate under the following conditions: If you are directed by local authorities to do so. Be sure to follow their instructions. If you live in a mobile home or temporary structure—such shelters are particularly hazardous during hurricanes no matter how well fastened to the ground.
If you live in a high-rise building—hurricane winds are stronger at higher elevations. If you live on the coast, on a floodplain, near a river, or on an inland waterway. If you feel you are in danger.
If you are unable to evacuate, go to your safe room. If you do not have one, follow these guidelines: Stay indoors during the hurricane and away from windows and glass doors; Close all interior doors—secure and brace external doors.
Keep curtains and blinds closed. Do not be fooled if there is a lull; it could be the eye of the storm - winds will pick up again; Take refuge in a small interior room, closet, or hallway on the lowest level; Lay on the floor under a table or another sturdy object.
The Pender County Schools will be closed for students on Friday, Sept. 5, due to Tropical Storm Hanna. It will be an optional workday for teachers and staff. The storm is expected to reach hurricane status at landfall on Friday.
Onslow schools closed Friday
The Onslow County Schools will be closed for students on Friday, Sept. 5, due to Tropical Storm Hanna. It will be an optional workday for teachers and staff. The storm is expected to reach hurricane status at landfall on Friday.
The following schools will open as primary shelters beginning at 1 pm: Dixon Middle, Jacksonville Commons Middle, Richlands High, Swansboro High, and White Oak High. Pets are permitted only at Jacksonville Commons Middle.
For updated information, please contact the school system's weather line at 910-989-2211. Additionally, stay tuned to local media.
Pender County schedules public advisory update
Pender County Board of Commissioners Chairman David Williams has scheduled a public advisory update on Tropical Storm Hanna for Friday, September 5, 2008.
The advisory update will begin at 9 a.m. at the Pender County Public Assembly Room located at 805 S. Walker Street in Burgaw.
Pender County Emergency Management Director Eddie King will share the most recent information related to the storm’s path and county preparedness plans.
Elected officials and staff, emergency responders, the media and the general public is invited to attend.
Pender County operates an emergency operations center out of the Pender County Law Enforcement building in Burgaw in the event of a storm. Pender County shelters are located at Topsail Middle School, Burgaw Middle School, Malpass Corner Elementary School and Cape Fear Elementary School. In the event of a smaller storm without a mandatory evacuation, shelters may still be opened. Details will be provided on Pender County’s website, www.penderem.com, and the county’s AM transmitter. The AM transmitter broadcasts information at a frequency of 1640 in the Hampstead area and 1620 in the Sloop Point and Surf City area.
American Red Cross prepares to open Onslow shelters
The Onslow County Chapter of the American Red Cross has activated its Disaster Ready Team in preparation for the impact of Hurricane Hanna Your Red Cross is on alert to respond and provide emergency services that may include mass care, family assistance, and disaster health services, among others to meet the disaster-related needs of victims.
In addition, the Red Cross will open six shelters in Onslow County at 1 pm on Friday, Sept. 5, to provide safe shelter for individuals and families evacuated from risk-prone areas in the path of Hurricane Hanna. The shelters will be located at: Dixon Middle School, Swansboro High School, Richlands High School, Southwest Middle School, Jacksonville Commons Middle School, White Oak High School,
The only shelter that accepts animals is the Jacksonville Commons Middle School. The site is a co-located human and pet shelter. The pet shelter is operated by the Onslow County Animal Response Team and is limited to domestic pets. Pets must be in carriers, with current vaccinations, and accompanied by their owners.
Families and individuals are advised to bring along basic emergency and personal items that will be needed in the shelters. Such items include pillows and bedding items, toothbrush, toothpaste, essential medications and other health related items, extra clothing, and a quiet toy or activity for children. Medications requiring refrigeration should be brought in a cooler or thermos. Alcoholic beverages and weapons are not allowed.
“The Red Cross Disaster Ready Team is the group that monitors hurricanes and plans, prepares and mobilizes both human and material resources before a hurricane hits and the watch teams are activated at the local, state, and national levels” said Red Cross Executive Joy Branham. “Within 72 hours, they take emergency actions such as: reviewing high-risk areas and coordinating preventive operations with community leaders, along with other components of the preparedness phase.”
The Red Cross strongly recommends that individuals and families take preventive measures to ensure their personal safety, including: Listening to media hurricane progress reports. Securing a battery-operated radio, flashlight and extra batteries. Checking emergency supplies, including food, water and clothing. Fueling vehicles. Bringing in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, toys and garden tools, anchor objects that cannot be brought inside. Securing building by closing and boarding up windows. Removing outside antennas. Turning refrigerator and freezer to coldest setting. Open only when absolutely necessary and close quickly.
For more hurricane safety information, access the Red Cross website at www.redcross.org/disaster/safety or call the Onslow County Chapter at 910-347-3581.
Governed by volunteers and supported entirely by voluntary community donations, the American Red Cross is a nationwide network of nearly 1,000 chapters and Blood Services regions dedicated to saving lives and helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Led by 1.2 million volunteers and 30,000 employees, the Red Cross annually mobilizes relief to families affected by more than 67,000 disasters, trains almost 12 million people in lifesaving skills and exchanges more than a million emergency messages for U.S. military service personnel and their families. The Red Cross is the largest supplier of blood and blood products to more than 3,000 hospitals across the nation and also assists victims of international disasters and conflicts at locations worldwide.
All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of [this disaster] and thousands of other disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make secure online credit card donations by visiting www.onslow.redcross.org.
Important and Helpful Links
North Carolina's Emergency Preperation Website
http://readync.org/
Town of Surf City Website
http://surfcity.govoffice.com/
Town of Topsail Beach Website
http://topsailbeach.org/
Town of North Topsail Beach Website
http://www.north-topsail-beach.org/
Town of Holly Ridge website
http://www.townofhollyridge.com/
Pender County Emergency Management
http://www.penderem.com/
Pender County Government
http://www.pender-county.com/
Pender County Schools
http://www.pendercountyschools.net
Onslow County Emergency Management
http://www.onslowcountync.gov/emergencyservices/
Onslow County Government
http://www.onslowcountync.gov/
North Carolina's Emergency Preperation Website
http://readync.org/
Onslow County Schools
http://www.onslowcounty.schoolinsites.com/
Precautions to take during a hurricane
If a hurricane is likely in your area, you should: Listen to the radio or TV for information; Secure your home, close storm shutters, and secure outdoor objects or bring them indoors; Turn off utilities if instructed to do so. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting and keep its doors closed.
Turn off propane tanks; Avoid using the phone, except for serious emergencies; Moor your boat if time permits; Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purposes such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other large containers with water.
You should evacuate under the following conditions: If you are directed by local authorities to do so. Be sure to follow their instructions. If you live in a mobile home or temporary structure—such shelters are particularly hazardous during hurricanes no matter how well fastened to the ground.
If you live in a high-rise building—hurricane winds are stronger at higher elevations. If you live on the coast, on a floodplain, near a river, or on an inland waterway. If you feel you are in danger.
If you are unable to evacuate, go to your safe room. If you do not have one, follow these guidelines: Stay indoors during the hurricane and away from windows and glass doors; Close all interior doors—secure and brace external doors.
Keep curtains and blinds closed. Do not be fooled if there is a lull; it could be the eye of the storm - winds will pick up again; Take refuge in a small interior room, closet, or hallway on the lowest level; Lay on the floor under a table or another sturdy object.
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| Preparations made for Tropical Storm Hanna |
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Sandy wrote on Sep 8, 2008 6:15 PM: