SOUTHEAST N.C. — Governor Cooper has announced ahead of Hurricane Dorian that he will be issuing mandatory evacuations for North Carolina’s barrier islands. While that order will undoubtedly call for planning by residents being told to leave, those residents will also need to plan to return to their island homes.
Most of the beach towns in the area will be closed following a major hurricane event except to residents and property owners.
Carolina Beach
To obtain a Re-entry Permit, the following documentation is required:
- Property Owners- Individuals, groups or corporations owning property within town limits
- valid vehicle registration and
- a copy of NHC Tax bill or a copy of a current utility, cable or phone bill identifying the individual and the property
- Agents-Property Management Companies, Brokers or State Licensed Contractors authorized by property owners
- valid vehicle registration and
- a completed Emergency Property Security Authorization form, with the notarized signature of the property owner, and
- a copy of the Property Management Listing Agreement signed by the Broker in Charge or a copy of a valid NC State Contractor’s License
- Permanent Residents/Business Owners: Individuals, groups or corporations leasing property in Carolina Beach; Owners of boats docked at property within town limits may qualify as a Permanent Resident/Business Owner
- valid vehicle registration and
- a copy of a current lease for the property used as a residence, business or dock, or a copy of a current utility, cable or phone bill identifying the individual and the property, or valid Town Business Registration
Surf City
Surf City issues “hurricane keys” to all property owners, property managers and contractors within its municipal limits. The keys are used to identify these individuals who may be allowed to access areas restricted to the public.
Based on coastal bridge guidelines, emergency personnel may need to shut down the Surf City Bridge to vehicle access if sustained winds reach 45 mph, according to a release from the town.
All previously issued key cards to gain access to the island in the event of an evacuation are still valid and are non-transferable. Residents without key cards can still gain access with a valid ID and a utility or tax bill and/or a deed.
Wrightsville Beach
- Tax Decals for Re-Entry
- Tax decals may be purchased at the Parking Services Office at 321 Causeway Dr. These serve as your re-entry passes following the storm.
- Re-Entry Passes may be picked up at the Wrightsville Beach Police Department at 3 Bob Sawyer Drive, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday and 8 a.m. – 12 p .m. Wednesday
- Local Businesses and Contractors
- You are limited to a maximum of three passes per business
- Please send ONE person to collect all the passes for your business
- Documentation Needed that you are associated with the business. (This would be a business card with your name, letter from manager or business owner stating that you are authorized to get the passes for the business or something similar.)
- Identification, License plate numbers for the vehicles that will be driven onto the island.
- Caretakers/Property Managers:
- There will be one issued per property
- Documentation needed
- Written authorization from the property owner that you are the caretaker for their property. This MUST include the property address, owner’s name, and your name.
- Identification, license plate number for the vehicle that will be driven onto the island.
- Passes will NOT be issued past noon on Wednesday, September 3, 2019, If you do not have passes prior to this, you will have to pick up passes at the Library located at 1241 Military Cutoff Road, after the storm has passed.
Sunset Beach
According to the town’s website, “In the past, the Town issued Hurricane Re-Entry Passes to property owners for re-entry into Town and the island after an event to check for property damages and return home if evacuating. The program had a few flaws that needed to be addressed.
As Hurricane Florence proved, people wait until the last minute to get their passes. This event, in particular, became a huge strain on the Town as multiple staff members were pulled from their other responsibilities, including preparations, to attend to the multitude of people who waited until the last minute to get their passes.
This year, the Council decided to revise the program as follows:
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Passes will be mailed to island property owners only in advance of Hurricane season each year
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Only new island property owners will be allowed to get passes from Town Hall. Documentation verifying new ownership will be required
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Passes will be issued to contractors that have on-going projects during the hurricane season when the building permit is issued.”
