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Tropical Storm Hanna - Pender and Onslow county information

TOPSAIL VOICE

Published: Friday, September 5, 2008 7:47 PM EDT
Onslow curfew hours revised

Onslow County Board of Commissioners have revised the curfew hours from 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 5, to 11 p.m.  This curfew will remain in effect until 7 a.m. on Saturday morning, Sept. 6. Citizens are encouraged to tune in to the local media outlets so they are aware of changing developments. Call the Citizens Phone Bank at 938-2059 if you have questions.

Pender County information update

Pender County Emergency Officials continue to monitor the approach of Tropical Storm Hanna. The county Emergency Operations Center opened at noon, and will remain in continuous operation until conditions improve. At this time the towns of Surf City and Topsail Beach have issued a voluntary evacuation. There are no evacuation orders in effect for mainland Pender County. Some of the early rain bands have already crossed into the county, resulting in heavy rains and limited visibility. Drivers encountering heavy rains are reminded to use extreme caution and to be aware of possible ponding on roadways.


Pender declares state of emergency

The Pender County Board of Commissioners declared a state of emergency Friday morning hours before Tropical Storm Hanna was expected to bring rain and wind to the rural county. While county officials don’t think the storm is a big threat, declaring a state of emergency for Pender is a precautionary measure just in case the storm does cause significant damage. Voluntary evacuations have been issued for Surf City and Topsail Beach. Shelters will open at 4 p.m. Friday at Topsail Middle School, Hwy 17, Hampstead; and Malpass Corner Elementary School, 4922 Malpass Corner Road. Officials aren’t expecting many residents to use the shelters since the beach towns didn’t enact a mandatory evacuation, said Eddie King, emergency management director. “They’re there if people want to go to them,” King said. “We want to give people options just in case they don’t feel safe at their homes during the storm.”

Onslow County closures

Onslow County government offices will close at 3 p.m. today, Sept. 5. The Onslow County Museum and all branches of the Public Library will be closed on Saturday, Sept. 6. Only the Main Library Branch will reopen on Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Onslow County Public Beach Access sites located at North Topsail Beach will be closed on Saturday, Sept. 6. Onslow County Regional Parks.  Onslow Pines Park, Hubert By-Pass Park, Richlands/Steed Park, Stump Sound Park, Deppe Park in Hofmann Forest, Oakhurst Nature Park, will close at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 5 due to the countywide curfew, which is in effect from 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 5 through sunrise on Sept. 6. The Onslow County Landfill will be open for regular business on Saturday from 12 to 5 p.m. and will accept storm debris. All County offices will resume regular hours on Monday, Sept. 8. Onslow County strongly encourages all citizens to be safe during this time.  

Onslow County Storm Debris Disposal

As county residents begin the clean up in the aftermath of Hurricane Hanna, many residents may be wondering what to do with the debris. Residents considering burning their debris in the unincorporated areas of the county should know that the state open-burning rules are clear-- only leaves, branches, and other plant growth can be burned.  That means no trash, lumber, shingles, building materials, including lumber and wood scraps. A burn permit is required unless you are burning within 100 feet of an occupied building.  In all other cases, a permit is required, regardless of whether you are burning just a small pile of leaves, or a large pile of fallen limbs.  It does not matter if it has just rained.  A permit is still required 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  If you burn, be sure to keep the fire under your control.  You will be liable for any damages if an uncontrolled fire results.  Permits can be obtained at several retail stores in the county. The Onslow County Landfill at 415 Meadowview Road also accepts plant materials, as long as the plant material (yard waste) is separated from other trash.  This fee will be $12 per ton.    Other debris, such as shingles, plywood, etc. can also be disposed of at the landfill.   Tipping fees will be charged according to the fee schedule at $45 per ton. The Onslow County Landfill will be open from 12 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6.

Pender County Convenience Center Sites

Pender County plans to operate all Convenience Center Sites and the Transfer Station on the normal schedule for Friday, Sept. 5.  If tropical storm force winds meet or exceed 45 mph, Waste Industries will, for safety purposes, close the sites during the day on Friday. All Convenience sites will be closed all day on Saturday, Sept. 6. All Convenience sites will be open (according to the Saturday schedule) on Sunday, Sept. 7. For more information regarding this service, please contact Pender County Utilities at 259-1570 during office hours or Pender Emergency Management at 259-1210 during the storm event.

Friday night performance canceled

Sneads Ferry Community Theatre has canceled the Friday, Sept. 5, performance of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown."  Saturday’s performance is yet to be determined.   For more information call the box office at 327-2798.

NC National Guard ready to respond to Tropical Storm Hanna

Governor Mike Easley ordered 270 NC National Guardsmen to State Active Duty in preparation for the effects of Tropical Storm Hanna. Guardsmen started arriving on duty Thursday and will be in place on Friday. The NC National Guard will field several Multifunction Force Packages (MFFP) of about 50 personnel each which are capable of providing security, ground evacuation, transportation, and are equipped with swift water rescue personnel and apparatus. Other Guardsmen will provide logistics support and there are six UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopters on standby to conduct missions if needed. NC National Guard planners have been meeting with State Emergency Management personnel over the last several days finalizing plans as the storm approaches. The North Carolina National Guard has approximately 11,500 Soldiers and Airmen in its ranks.  Nearly 400 of them are on federal active duty either here in the United States or overseas. The Guard has mobilized for numerous hurricanes and brings a great deal of knowledge and expertise to these types of operations. State duty missions are coordinated through N.C. Emergency Management.

Onslow State of Emergency Declared

Onslow County Board of Commissioners declared a State of Emergency effective as of 1:30 pm on Sept. 4. By this order, a curfew will be in effect from 7:30 pm on Friday, Sept, 5, to sunrise on Saturday, Sept. 6. Only law enforcement, emergency services personnel, emergency utility workers, elected and appointed county and municipal officials and persons on official travel between home and business or for medial emergencies. With the exception of businesses or establishments that provide emergency services, all offices, business establishments and other places to or from which people may travel or at which they may congregate are strongly encouraged to be closed during the restricted period. Onslow County ABC stores will close at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 5. Stay tuned to media outlets, G10 Television and the County website for up-to-date information. Citizens can call 938-2059 for additional information.

Pender County response to Tropical Storm Hanna

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 Officials continue to monitor the approach of Tropical Storm Hanna. County and community officials are in full preparedness mode at this time, with regular briefings with emergency service and county officials. Pender County will open two shelters on Friday afternoon at 4 p.m. These will be general population shelters. The two shelters are Topsail Middle School, 17385 US Hwy. 17, Hampstead and Malpass Corner Elementary School, 4992 Malpass Corner Road near US 421 in Burgaw. Persons are reminded that NO Alcohol or Weapons of any kind are allowed in the shelters. These items will not be allowed in the shelters for any reason. These shelters do not have the comforts of home, but are available to anyone in the county. Please bring blankets, special dietary items, and any required medications. Also any infant care items that you may need during the time you are at the shelter. Persons living in low lying areas subject to flooding or those living in mobile homes may want to relocate to higher, more substantial homes or to a shelter. The Pender County Emergency Operations Center will open at 12 noon tomorrow and be in operation through the duration of the weather event. The operations center can be reached at 910-259-1210.

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 Preparation 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 Preparation 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.

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.



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- Updated 12:18 PM
 

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Sandy wrote on Sep 8, 2008 6:15 PM:

" Thanks, Topsail Voice, for keeping us updated throughout the storm! "

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