BRUNSWICK COUNTY — A county inundated with multiple road closures and collapses, due to flooding from tropical cyclone eight, has issued a curfew for its unincorporated areas.
READ MORE: Southport executes mandatory curfew, asks residents to shelter in place
The curfew will remain in effect until Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 6 a.m.
“Residents and visitors should remain at home or at a safe location until the curfew is lifted and road conditions are improved,” according to a release from officials.
It advises everyone countywide to check in with their individual cities and towns, which set their own curfews and protective actions as allowed under states of emergency. Earlier Monday, Brunswick County Commissioner Chairman Randy Thompson signed a declaration of emergency, allowing officials to make decisions based on the interests of public safety.
Mayor Rich Alt from the City of Southport signed one as well and issued a mandatory curfew from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. Alt also asked residents to shelter in place, due to multiple areas of NC 211 collapsing, the main artery into the town.
“Several major highways and roads remain impassable due to flood waters caused,” the county added in its Monday evening release, “causing significant traffic impacts. Drivers are asked to remain calm and follow local law enforcement’s direction concerning blocked roads and traffic management.”
Drivers on U.S. 17 have been stuck in traffic since noon Monday near Bolivia, due to impassable roads. Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office and emergency personnel began passing out food, water and supplies to them and motorists stuck on other roads throughout the county on Monday evening.
“Drivers are asked to remain calm as they await assistance and follow law enforcement’s directions and safety precautions,” the county indicated in a release.
The county asks residents to:
- Stay off roads and highways. Wait for road conditions to improve before driving and heed any curfews or traffic directions from law enforcement. Check here for road updates. or follow the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office’s social media pages and mobile app, and local municipal pages.
- Do not move or drive around road barricades. Even if flood waters recede, barricaded roads may still be awaiting inspection to ensure they are safe to drive on still.
- Have a plan. Know how you will keep yourself, your family, and your pets safe if flooding is forecast for your area.
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