HURRICANES...
WHAT TO DO IN
PENDER COUNTY
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Before HURRICANE
SEASON...
make your plans as to
what you intend to do if a hurricane threatens. If you live on Topsail Island, in low-lying coastal areas, or in
a home that may not be safe in high winds (such as a mobile home), you should
plan on leaving your home. Decide now
where you will go and how you will get there.
During an evacuation, public shelters will be opened, but these should
only be used as a last resort. If
possible you should try to stay with a friend or relative or in a motel well
inland. Whether you leave or stay home, plan on supporting yourself and
family for at least 72 hours.
The Atlantic hurricane season is from June to November, but the most
active hurricane months are August, September and October. Pender County operates two information radio
stations in the coastal portion of the county that provide storm information
and updates.
1620 AM: Sloop Point and Surf City
1640 AM: Hampstead and Topsail Beach
The Town of Surf City also operates a radio station at 1610 AM.
If a HURRICANE
WATCH...
is issued for Pender
County, a hurricane is threatening, but not necessarily imminent. You should think about what you will do if a
hurricane warning is issued. Fuel and
service family vehicles, and continue to monitor radio, TV, weather radio, or
the internet for official bulletins. If
you plan on staying home during storm conditions, store up on bottled water and
non-perishable foods. A hurricane watch
means it is possible that the watch area may experience hurricane conditions in
24 to 48 hours.
If a HURRICANE
WARNING...
is issued for Pender
County, it is very possible that the county could experience hurricane
conditions in less than 24 hours.
Listen constantly to radio and TV and begin preparing for the
storm.
1. Prepare for high winds (brace
garage door, lower antennas, etc...)
2. Anchor objects outside
(flying debris can injure people and property)
3. Protect windows and other
glass (board or secure windows)
4. Boats on trailers: move them
close to house and fill with water.
5. Boats in water: check mooring
lines and leave them.
6. Store valuables and personal
papers. If you evacuate, take them.
7. If you have to evacuate,
leave as soon as possible. If you wait
too long, driving conditions deteriorate and some county roads will flood very
quickly.
IF YOU STAY HOME...
during a hurricane, keep these things in mind:
1. Stay
indoors in an interior room or hallway.
2. Close
interior doors and stay away from windows.
3. Monitor
radio and TV for information from official sources.
4. Turn
refrigerator to maximum cold and open only when necessary.
5. Turn
off propane tanks.
6. Unplug
unnecessary appliances.
7. Fill
bathtub and large containers with water for sanitary purposes.
IF YOU EVACUATE...
know where you are going and leave early. It is best to evacuate during daylight hours if possible. Take all of your irreplaceable personal
documents with you:
1. Personal
ID
2. Insurance
policies and property inventories.
3. Special
medical information
Take your most valuable possessions with you and secure your other
valuables in watertight containers in high points in your house. Before you leave your home be sure to lock
your windows and doors and turn off the gas, water and electricity. You may be away from home for sometime so
you should take the following items with you:
1.
First Aid Kit
2. Canned or dried provisions, can opener, spoons, etc.
3.
Bottled water
4.
Extra family medication, prescriptions
5.
Spare eyeglasses, hearing aid and batteries, if required.
If you can not leave the area or stay with a friend and must go to a
public shelter, take: blankets or sleeping bags, flashlights, special dietary
foods, infant needs and lightweight folding chairs. Register every person arriving with you at the shelter. Do Not Take Pets, Alcohol or Weapons of
any kind to 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. The following locations are primary shelters for Pender County.
1. Malpass
Corner Elementary School - US 421 at Malpass Corner Rd.
2. Topsail
Middle School - US Hwy. 17 (three miles north of Hampstead)
3.
Burgaw Middle School - S. Wright St. in Burgaw
4. Cape
Fear Middle School – 1886 NC Hwy 133, Rocky Point
AFTER THE HURRICANE...
stay calm and be patient.
Communication may be slow but the County will be working to assess
damage and respond to emergencies. Do
not call 911 unless you have a true emergency.
Beware of outdoor hazards, guard against spoiled food and water, and
take extra fire precautions. If floodwaters rise near your home take your
family and leave while roads are still passable. Distribution sites will be set
up in areas throughout the county for water, food, and other necessary
items. TV, radio, and your local fire
department or rescue squad, will have information on these items as well as
other disaster information. Remember
you're not the only one that will need help.
The better you prepare and respond, the better off you will be.
Pender County Emergency Management
5/06