CAPE FEAR REGION — Hurricane Dorian is expected to impact the Cape Fear Region sometime later this week and local governments are not taking any chances and are preparing by issuing state-of-emergency notices.
Under state statute 166A-19.30., declaring a state of emergency offers government entities a considerable degree of power, far more than typically granted to them — including the following abilities:
- To establish a system of economic controls over all resources, materials, and services to include food, clothing, shelter, fuel, rents, and wages, including the administration and enforcement of any rationing, price freezing, or similar federal order or regulation.
- To regulate and control the flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic, the congregation of persons in public places or buildings, lights and noises of all kinds, and the maintenance, extension, and operation of public utility and transportation services and facilities.
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To procure, by purchase, condemnation, seizure, or by other means to construct, lease, transport, store, maintain, renovate, or distribute materials and facilities for emergency management without regard to the limitation of any existing law.
Related: Conflicting rights – How a state of emergency can challenge constitutional rights
States of emergency often coincide with voluntary or mandatory evacuations, as well as the opening of county-run emergency shelters. Stay tuned for updates on those plans around the area.
Brunswick County
According to a Brunswick County press release, “Brunswick County Board of Commissioners have declared a state of emergency effective 7 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3 to prepare for the potential threats Hurricane Dorian poses to the county and to continue preparations with state and other partners. If evacuation and other measures become appropriate, this proclamation will be amended.”
Oak Island – Mandatory evacuation for visitors and tourists; the town announced a state of emergency effective at noon on Tuesday, September 3.
Bald Head Island – Mayor Andrew Sayre proclaimed a state of emergency for the Village of Bald Head Island effective 9 a.m. Monday. This proclamation includes a voluntary evacuation of the Village of Bald Head Island and orders all “Non-Resident Visitors” to evacuate the Village effective immediately.
New Hanover County
New Hanover County – The county activated its emergency operations center of Tuesday morning. Officials announced a state of emergency, effective Tuesday at 5 p.m. and will likely open emergency shelters later this week.
Wilmington — State of emergency will take effect at 5 p.m. with a voluntary evacuation at 8 a.m. of low-lying and flood-prone areas. Mayor Bill Saffo asks those who planned to evacuate to do so sooner, rather than later.
Kure Beach — The Kure Beach Town Council will enter a state of emergency at 2 p.m. on Tuesday. The town expects to enact a curfew, at will give at least 12 hours notice. The sale of alcohol is also expected to be prohibited, also with 12 hours notice.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Kure Beach Town Council does hereby declare a State of Emergency and Threatened Disaster in the Town of Kure Beach and orders the following:
Carolina Beach — In Carolina Beach, according to a town statement, “Town Council will hold an emergency meeting at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 3, 2019. Based on the current forecast track and anticipated impacts of Hurricane Dorian, Council plans to declare a State of Emergency for the Town of Carolina Beach.”
Wrightsville Beach — “The Town will announce any evacuation timelines and plans on Tuesday, September 3rd by 5:00 pm. The Town will continue to disseminate updated information through the media and on its Facebook pages throughout the event. Information will also be posted on the Town’s website at www.townofwrightsvillebeach.org,” according to a town statement.
Pender County
Pender County – Pender announced a state of emergency on Monday morning at 8 a.m. The county is urging residents to prepare for the storm and is opening emergency shelters on Wednesday.
Surf City — The Town of Surf City has declared a state of emergency on Monday ahead of Hurricane Dorian.
