Tropical Storm Hanna coverage
This is a compilation of breaking news updates, video and pictures State Port Pilot staff produced as the storm approached, blew over the county and departed.
County cleanup is minimal after Hanna
Most municipalities reported minimal damage, some trees and limbs down, shingles and siding blown off houses and minor power outages. Towns reported in during a 9 a.m. conference call with Brunswick County, led by county emergency management director Randy Thompson.
The shelter at West Brunswick High School had already closed, and 100 people spent the night there, Thompson said. The shelter at North Brunswick High School hosted about 80 people and was closing up shop by 9:30 a.m., Thompson said.
BEMC reported about 17,000 customers lost power and Progress Energy just 2,000. Bald Head Island reported the power was still out there, but otherwise electric service was pretty well restored other than isolated outages.
Staff with the National Weather Service said the highest recorded gust was 72 mph at the Johnny Mercer Pier on Wrightsville Beach. The service lost contact with its data collector at the Ocean Crest Pier on Oak Island.
Caswell Beach mayor Harry Simmons said there was an overwash across Caswell Beach Road that came under a house there, and the lighthouse door was blown off. There was also significant beach erosion. Oak Island also experienced serious dune erosion in much of the east beach areas, but some spots between Middleton and the west end seemed to gain sand. The west end itself is eroded as well, and there is a new pool of water between the westernmost houses and the usual high tide line. The gully between the dunes and houses on most of the east end still holds overwash. Bald Head Island also reported some severe overwash at some spots on the dune.
Boiling Spring Lakes, St. James and Leland reported vegetative debris being down but no real damage.
The 9 a.m. call was the last scheduled conference, and Thompson said he expected the state of emergency would be lifted soon and the county emergency operations center closed shortly.
Posted in News Updates | Edit | by Lisa Stites
Hurricane Research Station
10:15 PM Researchers from Florida’s Hurricane Research Center setup a weather station at Waterfront Park in Southport, awating the arrival of Hurricane Hanna.
Wind picking up speed as storm gets closer
September 5th, 2008
Heavy rain started, at least on Oak Island, a little before 9 p.m. The rain died down and now the wind is picking up. It started with strong gusts, and now about 11 p.m. it seems sustained winds are strengthening.
We still have power, satellite television and internet access, so we’ve been able to see satellite images of the storm’s location as we’re experiencing the wind and rain. We’ve come a long way from just 12 years ago, when we sat in the dark and wondered how long it would take for Hurricane Fran to move away from the island.
Check this blog Saturday morning for updates on how Brunswick County fared in the storm.
Posted in News Updates | Edit | by Lisa Stites
Oak Island battens down the hatches…sorta
September 5th, 2008
As Hanna approaches, locals and visitors checked on conditions at the beach. It’s pretty much what we do when a hurricane or tropical storm is coming. The Ocean Crest Pier was a popular spot at 7 p.m., with about two dozen people watching waves from the shore since the pier itself was closed. Waves were coming at the beach fast, but didn’t seem very high yet. One man working there said he’d fished off the pier with higher waves hitting it. Customers seemed unconcerned with the approaching storm as they dined at the Island Way oceanfront restaurant there.
It was more of the same at the west end; almost all the parking spaces were filled. While I could feel sand blowing on my legs near the pier, at the west end I could literally see it blowing in sheets just above ground level. It was much windier there too, and by the time my family and I drove home, the cloud cover was thicker and a light rain started. I’ll blog some more tonight with an update on conditions as long as the power is on and I’m still awake.
Hurricane shelters draw few initially; more expected tonight
September 5th, 2008
American Red Cross worker Frances Thomas sat for a bite to eat while keeping a tab on the five or six residents to show for shelter Friday. The cafeteria at North Brunswick High School in Leland was almost completely empty, despite its designation as the place to go for those feeling unsafe at their homes as Tropical Storm Hanna swirled near.
“It’s slow going to start with,” said Thomas. “Most people don’t come until there’s something to run from.”
Caswell Beach declares state of emergency
September 5th, 2008
Caswell Beach mayor Harry Simmons at 3:30 p.m. Friday declared a state of emergency and curfew in light of Tropical Storm Hanna.
In accordance with town code, the public beach access parking lot and Oak Island Lighthouse parking lot are closed until further notice. A town-wide, police-enforced curfew will being 10 p.m. today and will last until 6 a.m. Saturday. Sales of alcoholic beverages will be prohibited in town during the curfew.
Surf’s Up
September 5th, 2008
Staff photographer Jim Harper captured this view from the Ocean Crest Pier at Oak Island Friday.
All quiet in St. James as storm approaches
September 5th, 2008
There is no evacuation ordered for St. James, mayor Shelley Lesher said. The town opened its EOC Friday, and participated in the Brunswick County emergency management conference calls. The town is keeping residents informed with the latest information from county government.
“Otherwise, it’s been pretty quiet,” Lesher said.
Hurricane cam
September 5th, 2008
The State Port Pilot’s webcam offers a user-controlled, panoramic view of Southport’s waterfront. With Tropical Storm Hanna on its way, it’s bound to be a popular feature. The webcam can only be operated by one user at a time, and currently, the queue wait is roughly 25 minutes. Persons may access the webcam by clicking here. It will be up and running as long as conditions permit.
Oak Island not ordering evacuations
September 5th, 2008
Mayor Johnie Vereen said he is not calling for an evacuation, voluntary or otherwise, due to the expected size of the storm. The mayor said he hoped residents and visitors would understand the seriousness of an evacuation order when and if the town orders one in the future.
Vereen said Friday afternoon that he did not anticipate needing to close the Oak Island bridge, which is typically closed when sustained winds reach 40 mph.
The town’s EOC is open, he said, and staff will meet again later this afternoon.
Vereen did ask that residents and visitors use their common sense and stay inside during the storm.
Ferry service suspended
September 5th, 2008
The N.C. Department of Transportation is making preparations to respond to Tropical Storm Hanna. The storm is expected to make landfall between Cape Fear and Myrtle Beach, S.C. about midnight.
The NCDOT Ferry Division suspended service late this morning between Southport and Fort Fisher due to high winds and rough seas. All other ferries are operating on their normal schedules as long as weather permits. For the latest updates to the ferry schedules, call 1-800-BY-FERRY.
As of noon today, North Carolina’s Amtrak passenger train service has been altered in anticipation of Hanna. Service has been suspended for trains 89, 90, 91, 92, 97 and 98, which serve the eastern part of the state.
Service on train 79 from New York to Raleigh has also been cancelled. Train 80 will operate on its regular schedule from Charlotte to Raleigh, but once it arrives in Raleigh, it will turn around and return to Charlotte as Train 79 at its regular departure time of 4:50 p.m.
Trains 19, 20, 73 and 74 will operate on a normal schedule. All train schedules are subject to change as Hanna moves along the East Coast. For questions about train travel or to reschedule a trip, contact 1-800-USA-RAIL.
Tropical Storm Hanna Info
September 5th, 2008
According to National Hurricane Center -8am advisory: “Brunswick County remains under Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch. Hanna is moving toward the Northwest near 18mph. A gradual turn to the North with an increase in forward speed is expected later today. The Center of Hanna will be near the Southeast Coast of the United States later today. Maximum Sustained Winds remain near 65 mph with higher gusts. Only slight strengthening is forecast prior to landfall.. Rainfall accumulations of 4 to 6 inches from Coastal South Carolina northward through Eastern North Carolina…with isolated maximum amounts of 10 inches possible…Coastal storm surge flooding of 3 to 5 feet above normal Tide levels….”
From Brunswick County Emergency Management:
*Voluntary evacuation of unincorporated areas of the county will be effective at 6am today. All persons who live in low lying areas, areas adjacent to rivers, creeks, streams and the intercoastal waterway, areas prone to flooding, mobile homes or homes not rated to withstand high winds should consider evacuation.
*Shelters opened at 9am today at North Brunswick High School & West Brunswick High School.
*Caswell Beach Began Voluntary Evacuation at 6am.
* To contact Brunswick County Emergency Management EOC call 910-253-7453.
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Bridge to Oak Island will close when winds reach sustained 40mph.
Just a few things to Mitigate damages & losses:
*Secure items outside of your business or home.
*Backup your data and store it offsite.
*Communicate with your employees work expectations — closing & reopening.
*Have a plan to communicate with your employees.
*Have a plan to communicate with your customers –let them know when you reopen.
*Have a plan to communicate with your vendors.
*Take pictures or video of your building & contents prior to the storm.
If you or the area has damage:
*Never stand in front of damage for photos or interviews(It is the only image your customers & potential customers will remember for years to come)
*If closed for any period, always have an estimated time when you will reopen and communicate this to the media, customers, vendors & employees.
Hurricane shelters open
September 5th, 2008
With school out and predictions that Tropical Storm Hanna could rebuild hurricane strength, Brunswick County Emergency Services and the American Red Cross have converted North Brunswick High School in Leland and West Brunswick High School in Shallotte to hurricane shelters. They opened 9 a.m. Friday morning.
Richard Rismiller of the American Red Cross said the rules at these shelters are simple:
- No firearms
- No alcohol
- No tobacco
- No pets
Persons may board pets at the Brunswick County Animal Shelter on N.C. 211 in Supply. Animal services director Richard Cooper said boarding is free, although pets must be up to date on vaccinations, and must have identification. Pets will be cared for at the shelter for up to three days after the hurricane shelters are shut down.
For preparedness, persons should visit http://readync.org and http://nccrimecontrol.org.
Brunswick County schools closed Friday
September 4th, 2008
All Brunswick County district schools will close Friday, September 5, due to the approach of Tropical Storm Hanna.
Schools public information director Robert Turner announced Thursday that Friday will be a voluntary workday for staff, but all employees would be released by noon.
School-related activities planned for Thursday night, however, will go on as planned, Turner added.
For more information, persons may contact Brunswick County Schools at 253-2900 or go online at http://bcswan.net.