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Special Disaster Info

Includes Roads, Evacuation/Re-Entry, Damage, Utilities, Shelters, Assistance Sites, Debris, Schools/Government Operation, Curfews/River Closings/Burning Bans, Flooding

Pender County Emergency Management is monitoring Hurricane Isaias

PENDER COUNTY – Pender County Emergency Management is monitoring Hurricane Isaias as it moves in the Atlantic Ocean.

“This is the time for all residents who have not signed up for CodeRed to do so,” Carson Smith, Pender County Emergency Manager said.

CodeRed is a free emergency alert system which is specific to Pender County street addresses and neighborhoods. Users may sign up for CodeRed in English or Spanish.  Go to the Pender County Emergency Management Facebook page or website and click on the CodeRed logo to sign up today or go to https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/en-US/9FB534DFBC93.

“It is important, in a time of emergency to receive reliable information. CodeRed alerts are directed to your telephone or email,” said Smith. “We encourage all residents to visit the Pender County Emergency Management website, https://pendercountync.gov/em/, or the Pender County Emergency Management Facebook page for helpful information.”

Hurricane preparedness in a pandemic

PENDER COUNTY – The 2020 Hurricane Season is predicted to have an above-average number of storms. This is difficult news for anyone who is suffering from “COVID-19 Fatigue.”

“Pender County residents have the opportunity now to prepare for a hurricane and the pandemic,” said Carson Smith, Pender County Emergency Manager. “We encourage residents to prepare for Before, During, and After a Storm.”

Before the storm is the time to think about shelter and supplies.

The first step is: Make A Plan. As we continue social distancing and taking necessary safety measures, decide: Where will you go?

“In the event of evacuation, know your zone,” said Smith. “Preplan your route by selecting a destination.”

Identify the home of a family member or friend where you can stay. Or locate an affordable hotel where you can stay.

Public shelters set up by the local health department and Red Cross should be a refuge of last resort. Due to social distancing guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and the state health department, local shelters will require a sparse configuration of distancing. Officials will check the body temperatures of evacuees signing into a shelter.

Secondly, build your emergency kit.

“Now is the time to stock your essentials and have an emergency kit,” Smith said.

Supplies such as non-perishable foods, water, flashlights, batteries, a transistor radio, a manual can opener, medications, pet supplies, cash, and important documents secured in a watertight bag are essentials for an emergency kit. However, during a pandemic, you must include face coverings, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes.

Every family member should have a seven-day supply of medications and toiletries, food, and water as well as a supply of hand sanitizers and face coverings. While preparing, remember to have a seven-day supply of pet supplies and pet medications, if applicable.

During a storm stay informed. Know your reliable sources of information. Don’t trust chat boards and rumors on social media. Pender County Emergency Management will post announcements on their website, Facebook page, and to local news media. Do not venture out during a storm.

After a storm flooding and down power lines may occur. Do not drive through water moving over roadways. Be aware of fire ants, bees, and use caution when operating a chainsaw. If you use a generator, do not operate it indoors.

For more information, watch our Pender County Emergency Management website or Facebook. If you have not signed up for the CodeRed alert system, register for free at https://pendercountync.gov/em/special-disaster-information/emergency-notification-system/ or call 910-259-1210 for details.

Pender County response to COVID-19

The Pender County Board of Commissioners are closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic. The safety and health of Pender County residents and employees are of great concern.

Pender County officials continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. As of this morning, there are 33 cases of COVID-19 in the State of North Carolina. Currently there are no cases in Pender County.

Pender County Health and Human Services is monitoring the pandemic and providing updated information to our communications personnel.

Consistent with state and CDC guidance, Pender County officials are following protocols to prevent the impact of COVID-19.

County operations and events

Pender County Government business will continue to operate, but several programs and services are impacted in order to help reduce risk to our community:

• All county-sponsored group activities and events have been suspended.

• All organized sports in Pender County parks have been suspended. Parks are not yet closed to the public, but that is a day to day situation to monitor.

• The facilities department is paying special attention to disinfecting all doorknobs, surfaces, etc. Each employee is also responsible for their cleansing workspace and equipment.

• Pender Fire and EMS has issued protective measures for personnel.

• At this time, the Board of Commissioners, Planning Board, and most other official government meetings will continue as scheduled.

• Additionally, county employees will not travel out of town for business, will hold meetings, as much as possible, by conference call, webinar or a virtual platform.

• Visitation in the Pender County Jail has been suspended until further notice.

• Cooperative Extension will postpone all educational programs until the end of April. The state is encouraging the department to work from home.

• Utilities and solid waste will continue normal and emergency staffing.

• The Board of Commissioners authorized Pender County Utilities to temporarily suspend cutoffs during this event however, late fees and penalties will still accrue.

• The Pender County Sheriff offers a wellness check service called “Are You Okay?” To request a wellness check through the Sheriff’s Department call 910-259-1212.

• The Pender County Tax Office urges anyone paying business or personal property taxes to use the return envelope to mail in payments. The return address is Mt. Airy, which is where the county’s print vendor is located, which will in turn report all payments to Pender County.

• Pender County Housing will continue by appointment only. All waiting lists are closed. All paperwork needed for housing assistance is available near the housing department entrance. Completed paperwork should be left in the drop box in front of the housing department office.

• PAS-TRAN will run medical appointments only for transportation, effective March 20. This will be in effect until April 2, unless otherwise notified.

• Pender Adult Services are suspending all senior center activities effective March 19. The last congregate meal will be served March 18 and Shelf Meals will be provided for the remainder of the week for Home Delivered Meals. Effective March 24, one hot meal will be provided for current congregate meal clients on a drive-thru basis only. Call PAS for information at 910-259-9119.

• Home Delivered Meal clients through Pender Adult Services and van rider congregate clients will receive one hot and one cold meal delivered with shelf meals for the week, effective March 24 and each following Tuesday until further notice. For questions call 910259-9119.

Visit CDC.gov for more information. The State of North Carolina has set up a Coronavirus hotline at 1-866-462-3821. Watch the Pender County Government website at pendercountync.gov for local updates and information.

Update Hurricane Dorian – September 6, 2019

Hurricane Dorian Discussion Number  52

NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL052019

500 AM EDT Fri Sep 06 2019

 

The center of the eye of Hurricane Dorian is located just off the

coast of North Carolina not far from Cape Lookout.  Based on data

from the Air Force Hurricane Hunters and Doppler radar velocities,

the initial intensity is set at 80 kt.  This estimate is a

compromise between the flight-level winds and SFMR values.  The

minimum pressure remains quite low, 956 mb, based on surface

observations and aircraft fixes.  There have been several reports in

eastern North Carolina of sustained tropical-storm-force winds and

hurricane-force gusts, with the strongest winds being reported in

the northern eyewall.

 

Dorian is moving northeastward at 12 kt.  A faster northeastward

motion is expected during the next few days as a mid- to upper-level

trough, currently over the U.S. Great Lakes, approaches the system

and accelerates the steering flow.  This track forecast takes the

hurricane along the coast of North Carolina during the next several

hours and near or over Atlantic Canada this weekend.  The models

are tightly clustered, and the NHC track forecast lies near the

middle of the guidance envelope.Hu

 

The hurricane is expected to gradually weaken during the next couple

of days due to an increase in wind shear and drier air. Dorian is

expected to cross the north wall of the Gulf Stream current in about

36 hours, and head over much colder waters after that.  These

atmospheric and oceanic conditions should cause the cyclone to

become a powerful hurricane-force extratropical in about 2 days.  As

the system gains latitude, the tropical-storm-force winds are

expected to expand significantly.  The NHC intensity forecast is

largely an update of the previous one and in line with the various

consensus aids.

 

Key Messages:

 

  1. Life-threatening storm surge and dangerous winds are expected

to continue along portions of the North Carolina coast, portions of

southeast Virginia and the southern Chesapeake Bay.  Water levels

could rise well in advance of the arrival of strong winds. Residents

in these areas should follow advice given by local emergency

officials.

 

  1. Flash flooding is occurring, and will continue to become more

widespread across the eastern Carolinas and far southeast Virginia

this morning. There is a high risk of flash flooding over these

areas, where significant, life-threatening flash flooding is

expected.

 

FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

 

INIT  06/0900Z 34.6N 76.2W  80 KT  90 MPH

12H  06/1800Z 36.0N 74.1W  75 KT  85 MPH

24H  07/0600Z 38.8N 69.9W  75 KT  85 MPH

36H  07/1800Z 42.5N 65.4W  70 KT  80 MPH

48H  08/0600Z 46.7N 61.6W  60 KT  70 MPH…POST-TROP/EXTRATROP

72H  09/0600Z 53.0N 52.0W  45 KT  50 MPH…POST-TROP/EXTRATROP

96H  10/0600Z 58.0N 36.0W  40 KT  45 MPH…POST-TROP/EXTRATROP

120H  11/0600Z 0.0S 0.0W   0 KT   0 MPH…DISSIPATED

Image preview

Update – Hurricane Dorian – September 5, 2019

To All,

Hurricane Dorian’s center is roughly 220 miles from our coast line and the eye forecasted to be about 25 miles off shore. We are now experiencing the outer bands that have strong winds and short lived tornadoes. As the day goes on the weather will deteriorate. If you are not ready it is not too late. If you or anyone you know needs shelter get to the shelter as soon as possible, before it gets too bad. Please do not go out during this storm. The worst is yet to come.

 

Hurricane Dorian Discussion Number  48

NWS National Hurricane Center Miami FL       AL052019

500 AM EDT Thu Sep 05 2019

Dorian continues to exhibit a large eye of about 50 n mi in

diameter on satellite and radar images.  Earlier data from

hurricane hunter aircraft indicate little change to the minimum

central pressure, and flight-level winds still support an intensity

close to 100 kt at this time.  Dorian should soon begin to

experience increasing southwesterly shear, which should lead to at

least slow weakening during the next couple of days.  The official

forecast maintains the cyclone at hurricane strength through 72

hours, which is in general agreement with the LGEM guidance and on

the high side of the guidance suite.  By 72 hours, the global models

show Dorian becoming embedded within a baroclinic zone, and

simulated satellite imagery from the ECMWF model depicts a highly

asymmetric cloud pattern.  Therefore, the NHC forecast shows the

system becoming extratropical by that time.

Dorian’s initial motion is about 010/6 kt.  The hurricane is

currently moving through a break in the subtropical ridge.  Within

a day or so, the cyclone should turn northeastward with increasing

forward speed in response to a broad mid-tropospheric trough to the

north.  The official track forecast remains in good agreement with

the dynamical model consensus.  The forecast track and wind radii

now require the issuance of a tropical storm watch for extreme

southeastern New England.

The center of Dorian is still expected to move very near or over

the coastline of the Carolinas and the southern Mid-Atlantic

states.  Residents of these areas should already be prepared for

damaging winds, life-threatening storm surges, and flooding rains.

Key Messages:

1. Life-threatening storm surge and dangerous winds are expected

along portions the coasts of South Carolina and North Carolina, and

portions of southeast Virginia and the southern Chesapeake Bay,

regardless of the exact track of Dorian’s center.  Water levels

could rise well in advance of the arrival of strong winds.

Residents in these areas should follow advice given by local

emergency officials.

2. Flash flooding will become increasingly likely across the eastern

Carolinas today.  There is a high risk of flash flooding over

coastal sections of the Carolinas where life-threatening flash

flooding is expected.

FORECAST POSITIONS AND MAX WINDS

INIT  05/0900Z 31.7N 79.5W 100 KT 115 MPH

12H  05/1800Z 32.7N 78.9W  95 KT 110 MPH

24H  06/0600Z 34.2N 77.2W  90 KT 105 MPH

36H  06/1800Z 36.1N 74.5W  85 KT 100 MPH

48H  07/0600Z 38.3N 70.8W  80 KT  90 MPH

72H  08/0600Z 46.0N 61.5W  65 KT  75 MPH…POST-TROP/EXTRATROP

96H  09/0600Z 53.0N 52.5W  50 KT  60 MPH…POST-TROP/EXTRATROP

120H  10/0600Z 58.0N 38.0W  40 KT  45 MPH…POST-TROP/EXTRATROP

 

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