Monday, November 4, 2024

Tropical storm warning in tri-county area, multiple closures Monday and Tuesday

Heavy rainfall is expected in the next two days. (Courtesy National Weather Service Wilmington)

SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — As Tropical Cyclone Eight threatens to become Tropical Storm Helene, weather conditions in the greater Wilmington area have deteriorated.

The tri-county region is under a tropical storm warning, with heavy rainfall and rising tides posing risk to low-lying and flood-prone areas, as well as creeks, rivers, and streams. Four to eight inches of rainfall can be expected from the system, with storm surge between 1 and 3 feet, and wind gusts anticipated to be between 35 and 57 miles per hour. A flood watch is in effect, with a coastal flood advisory from downtown Wilmington to the lower Cape Fear River.

As of Monday, 5 a.m., the cyclone was located 100 miles south-southwest of Wilmington with 50 miles-per-hour sustained winds. Bands reach 175 miles out from the center and bring dangerous surf and marine conditions. The cyclone is moving 3 miles per hour and is expected to come ashore in South Carolina Monday, before moving west and picking up speed. The storm will weaken as it moves north-northwest Monday night into Tuesday.

The storm can potentially spawn tornadoes and waterspouts, the latter of which were detected near Frying Pan Shoals according to the National Weather Service Wilmington’s morning update.

Closures, cancellations, postponements

Brunswick County Community College — Classes will take place remotely, campus is closed, including Dinah E. .Gore Sports and Aquatic Complex and Odell Williamson Auditorium. The college will be closed Tuesday as well.

Brunswick County Government — Closed effective immediately on Monday, Sept. 16 due to severe weather impacts from Potential Tropical Cyclone #8. This affects offices, libraries, parks, and other facilities, with operations expected to return Tuesday, Sept. 17 unless additional otherwise noted. 

Brunswick County Landfill and Convenience Centers — Closed Monday, however curbside trash and recycling schedules will remain in place, including Monday customers. Those with questions about their cart collections should contact GFL Environmental at 910-253-4177.

Brunswick County Schools — Closed for students, optional workday for staff

Cape Fear Academy — Will release lower grade students at 11:30 a.m. and middle- and high-schoolers at 2:30 p.m.; afterschool activities are canceled as well

Cape Fear Community College — All campus locations close at 1 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 16, and will remain closed Tuesday. Also closed Tuesday will be the Bonnie Sanders Burney Child Development Center.

Carolina Beach Elementary School — To release students immediately due to street flooding; buses will be on site by 10 a.m. Tuesday will be a remote day, the district announced, and teachers will be in contact with students on work to complete.

Carolina Beach Town Hall and Recreation Center — Closed Monday

Classical Charter Schools — Locations in Leland, Wilmington and Southport will do remote instruction. Schools will remain closed Tuesday.

New Hanover County Drive-Thru Flu Clinic — Canceled Monday, to reopen Tuesday; learn more here

New Hanover County Senior Resource Center Nutrition Site — Due to flooding in Carolina Beach, the Katie B. Hinds Center, located at 308 Cape Fear Blvd., will be closed today and home-delivered meals will not be delivered on Pleasure Island. Regular operations for both the nutrition site and home-delivered meals will resume Tuesday.

New Hanover County Schools — Releasing students two hours early; afterschool activities are canceled as well. Tuesday will be a remote day, the district announced, and teachers will be in contact with students on assignments to complete.

Oak Island Government — Town hall, splashpad, OKI Recreation Center, pier and par 3 golf course are closed. 

Pender County Schools — Releasing students beginning at 11:30 a.m. on Monday; the full release schedule can be found here. All afterschool activities have been canceled. The school will remain closed Tuesday and decide no later than 3 p.m. whether it will reopen Wednesday.

“We understand that many are dealing with the aftermath of the storm, and the safety of our community remains our top priority,” it said in a release.

Southport city offices — Closed early effective immediately due to the severe weather and flooding. The City Hall phones will not be monitored, but the general email is coms@cityofsouthport.com.

Wrightsville Beach Farmers Market — Canceled Monday

Check back for updates as more announcements are made.


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Shea Carver
Shea Carver
Shea Carver is the editor in chief at Port City Daily. A UNCW alumna, Shea worked in the print media business in Wilmington for 22 years before joining the PCD team in October 2020. She specializes in arts coverage — music, film, literature, theatre — the dining scene, and can often be tapped on where to go, what to do and who to see in Wilmington. When she isn’t hanging with her pup, Shadow Wolf, tending the garden or spinning vinyl, she’s attending concerts and live theater.

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