Update: New predictions show markedly lower levels for the Northeast Cape Fear River, which had previously been expected to flood its banks this weekend.
PENDER COUNTY — The Northeast Cape Fear River near Burgaw is expected to reach major flood levels by Sunday afternoon, affecting many in the White Stocking and Murray Town areas who were flooded almost a year ago by Hurricane Florence.
According to the National Weather Service, the river will bring major floods to the area around 2 p.m. Sunday evening before cresting at 16.2 feet at 2 a.m. Monday morning. More than a hundred homes, buildings, and trailers from Hurricane Florence lie in the impacted area.
Pender County spokesperson Tammy Proctor strongly urged residents in the impacted area to stay alert and seek the nearest shelter.
“Especially if they’re in a FEMA or travel trailer from Florence — we want them to seek shelter,” Proctor said Thursday evening as Hurricane Dorian approached the Cape Fear Region.
Flooding will take place along areas surrounding the NE Cape Fear River, bisected by Highway 53 heading northeast out of Burgaw. After cresting early Monday morning, the river is forecasted to gradually decline to 14.8 feet by 8 a.m. on Tuesday.
Proctor urged residents to seek shelter in the days before the river is expected to crest late Sunday night or early Monday morning.
“That’s the scary thing,” Proctor said. “When it’s night time, to wake up and your feet are wet when you slide out of bed. That’s why we’re concerned about that.”
On Wednesday the county opened shelters at Cape Fear Middle School, Malpass Corner Elementary, and Topsail Elementary.
On Thursday morning, Pender County Emergency Management Director Tom Collins urged all residents in substandard housing and in low-lying areas to evacuate their homes.
“We urge residents who reside in travel trailers, substandard housing, and in low-lying area to seek shelter,” Collins said. “Hurricane Dorian will spawn tornadoes and later we will face hurricane force winds. Seek shelter before we reach the
height of the storm.”
According to Collins, Cape Fear Middle School is a pet-friendly shelter. A suggest list of items to bring to a shelter includes:
- Clothing for 3-7 days
- Pillows
- Blankets or sleeping bags, cots or air mattress
- Food and medication for service animal
- Daily toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, soap, washcloth, feminine hygiene products)
- Special dietary foods, infant formula
- Identification for each family member
- 7-day supply of medicine in the original bottles if possible
- Cell phone with charger
- Books, games and cards
Family/friend/caretaker’s emergency contact information - Written list of all medications with doctors’ names and phone numbers
- Glasses, dentures, hearing aids
- Medical equipment used on a daily- basis (wheelchair, walker, cane, oxygen, catheters, etc.)
- Extra batteries needed for any medical equipment
- Adult diapers or children’s diapers and wipes.
- Food and snacks for 3-7 days.
Pender County Emergency Management will post updates on its Facebook page at facebook.com/penderem and on its website at penderem.com. You can also sign up for the Code Red Weather Warning system here.
