Public Notices

FloodWatch72518

Severe Weather Awareness

https://www.ready.gov/severe-weather

The catastrophic Atlantic hurricane season officially ends today. Ten hurricanes ripped through the Atlantic this year, causing major damage in Texas, Florida, the islands, and Puerto Rico.  One storm even went as far as Ireland.

Fortunately, Pender County came through the hurricane season unscathed, especially after last year’s Hurricane Matthew.  Let’s hope the upcoming winter season is a little quieter.

PRESS RELEASE

Sept. 20, 2017

For Immediate Release

Contact Pender County Utilities, 910-259-1570

Boil Water Notice, System Pressure Advisory in Central and Western Pender County

ROCKY POINT – Pender County Utilities Water customers in the central and western areas of Pender County are experiencing periods of low pressure or outages due to a water main break along east Montague Road. This may continue for the next 8 to 10 hours until approximately 10 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20.

“Periods of low or no pressure in the distribution system increases the potential for back siphonage and introduction of bacteria into the water system,” said Bryan McCabe, interim public utilities director.

“The Rocky Point/Topsail Water System and the NC Division of Water Resources advise when water is restored, consumers boil all water used for human consumption,” said McCabe. “This includes drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation.”

If customers do not boil water, they are advised to use bottled water.

The affected areas include NC Highway 11 (Willard), along Highway 117 from the Duplin County Line south to the New Hanover County line, and west of Highway 117 to US 421 served by Pender County Utilities, known as the Rocky Point/Topsail Water & Sewer District.

Water service will be returned to customers as soon as possible upon completion of the repair work.

Vigorous boiling for 1- minute should kill any disease-causing organisms that may be present in the water.

This advisory remains in effect until further written notification is issued.

For additional information, call Pender County Utilities at 910-259-1570.

-END-

Press Release

Sept. 8, 2017

For Immediate Release

Contact: County Manager Randell Woodruff, 910-259-1200

Pender County residents urged to stay alert to effects of Hurricane Irma

PENDER COUNTY – The Pender County Office of Emergency Management urged residents remain alert for possible wind gusts, storm surge, rainfall, and downed trees from Hurricane Irma.

“We are monitoring the track of Hurricane Irma,” said Tom Collins, Pender County Emergency Manager. “We may experience Irma’s effects beginning Sunday night and Monday. We may experience the effects of the storm without taking a direct hit.”

Irma is a powerful storm that is pushing water. We could experience a tidal surge up to 2-ft.”

According to the National Weather Service, Pender County should see elevated risks of wind, storm surge, and possible tornadoes.

“Residents along the coast and sounds should anticipate a tidal surge,” Collins said.

Pender County residents have prepared well for Hurricane Irma, he said.

“We need residents to remain alert for effects of Hurricane Irma,” Collins said. “At this time the Pender County Emergency Operations Center is not fully activated.”

Residents may register for CodeRed, the county’s emergency alert system, at http://www.penderem.com.

Pender County Emergency Management will post updates on the Facebook page at facebook.com/penderem and on the website http://www.penderem.com.

If you need assistance call the EM office at 910- 259-1210.

-END-

Outlook & Key Points for Major Hurricane Irma

Overview: The current forecast continues with a turn to the north by Irma just south of Florida this weekend. The uncertainty of where the turn will occur is still high, so the uncertainty of the impacts to northeast South Carolina and southeast North Carolina are still high. As a result of the expected northward movement the probability for at least tropical storm force winds continues to increasing across the region.

Impacts: Dangerous surf & rip currents are expected through the weekend. It’s too early to tell what specific surge, wind, rainfall, & tornado impacts could occur. However, regardless of the ultimate track of the storm the combination of above normal astronomical tides & large wave action is likely to cause beach erosion which can further damage vulnerable coastal infrastructure previously damaged by Matthew.

Current Information:

Center location: 20.1 N 69.0 W

About 165 miles SE of Grand Turk Island

Maximum Sustained winds: 180 mph with higher gusts

Movement: WNW at 17 mph

Pressure: 921 mb or 27.20 inches

Key Points:

1) People should ensure they have their hurricane plan in place.

2) The time for initial preparations is now. Please monitor official and credible sources for further information.

2) Ensure that your supplies are in order & know what your family would do if evacuations are ordered.

3) Remember that there are large track errors in long range hurricane predictions. Also, the error

cone is not an impact cone. Impacts can occur outside of this cone.

4) NC and SC are now in the tropical storm force winds probabilities – see next page.