Brunswick County PTC #8 Updates
Brunswick County continues to respond to the impacts of Potential Tropical Cyclone #8. Community members with questions related to PTC #8 can call Emergency Management at 910-253-5383 (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday). For all emergencies, call 9-1-1.
Moving forward, future updates on PTC #8 will be shared as new information becomes available. Find the latest updates at brunswickcountync.gov/ptc8.
Road Closures & Conditions Map
Assistance for Western North Carolina Communities Following Helene
While Brunswick County continues to recover from PTC #8, we have seen or received several requests or questions concerning assisting those impacted by Helene in the western part of the state. At this time, it is imperative that donation efforts and volunteers connect with an organization that is part of coordinated relief efforts.
Do not go to the impacted areas unless officially requested to do so—spontaneous/self-deployed volunteers are asked to refrain from self-deploying. The North Carolina Department of Transportation is urging people to avoid traveling to western North Carolina and to consider roads in this part of the state closed.
Here are some ways you can donate or inquire about volunteer opportunities. Brunswick County cannot accept donations.
Donations
Do not send or attempt to deliver donated items unless you connect with an organization that is in the coordinated relief efforts. Additionally, cash is always best as organizing, sorting, and storing donated items can quickly become overwhelming when well-intended supplies show up unscheduled or may not best fit the needs. Donation information and questions can be answered through the following:
Volunteers
With limited access and accommodations for volunteers, spontaneous/self-deployed volunteers are asked to refrain from self-deploying. Local Emergency Management departments and North Carolina Emergency Management have a process for bringing in needed resources, in collaboration with relief agencies and non-profits. Once the impacted areas are able to support additional volunteers, the needs will be posted on the following site: ncvoad.org/volunteer (Monitor daily as it will be updated when the call for additional volunteers is made)
You may also email Buncombe County at helenevolunteers@buncombecounty.org.
Assistance for Brunswick County Community Members Following PTC #8
There are still assistance opportunities and resources available for our community following PTC #8. Participating agencies from the Brunswick County VOAD are helping provide support and resources to the community following this storm. If you have any questions or are not sure where to find assistance, call Brunswick County Emergency Management at 910-253-5383 (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday) or email questions to emergency.management@brunswickcountync.gov for assistance.
Brunswick County cannot accept donations, but you are welcome to visit the Brunswick County VOAD webpage to see partner organizations with unmet needs that you might assist or support: brunswickcountync.gov/voad.
- Baptist on Mission is assisting in cleaning up homeowners’ properties following the storm. Individuals can sign up for the waiting list online here or call/email using the contacts below. Putting your name on this list does not guarantee help from the organization.
- The Crisis Cleanup Hotline at 910-218-1569 is another option for requesting help with cleaning up damage. Services are free but not guaranteed due to need. The hotline will remain open through this Friday, Oct. 4, 2024
- Brunswick Family Assistance (BFA) is offering the community free resources and supplies (while supplies last). If you would like to inquire about these items, contact BFA during their regular business hours during the weekdays at (910) 754-4766.
- If you need shelter assistance, call the American Red Cross North Carolina at 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Hurricane Season Preparedness
As we continue to recover from the impacts of PTC #8, it is important to continue to stay alert this hurricane season. Brunswick County and the National Weather Service in Wilmington continue to monitor potential tropical activity in the Atlantic.
Here are a few ways you can stay prepared and alert.
- Register for the ReadyBrunswick emergency notification system.
- Remain alert for updates from the NWS-Wilmington at weather.gov/ilm and find the latest weather briefing at weather.gov/ilm/briefing.
- Have multiple ways to get weather information (local news and radio stations, NOAA weather radios, National Weather Service, emergency alert notifications, etc.)
- Have a plan. Know how you will keep yourself, your family, and your pets safe if flooding is forecast for your area. Make sure you consider your family’s unique needs, including anyone who needs medicine or medical equipment. Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if you aren’t together when flooding starts.
Find more preparedness information and resources at brunswickcountync.gov/hurricanes.
Road Closures and Impacts
There are still many roads in Brunswick County that are closed due to flooding or damage. Please have patience while driving and dealing with traffic over the coming weeks as our public safety personnel work to help direct traffic and keep drivers safe.
To address traffic delays in and around Southport, N.C. Department of Transportation officials are asking drivers to start taking an alternative route ahead of a detour in the Boiling Spring Lakes area. The left turn from N.C. 133 North onto N.C. 87 will be closed each day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice. Then, between 7 p.m. and 10 a.m., the same left turn lane will be open to drivers. Click here to see a map and learn more about the alternate route.
Never drive, walk, or swim through flooded roadways or past barricades on roads. Even if a barricaded road looks clear, it could be dangerous. Barricaded roads may still be awaiting inspection to ensure they are safe to drive on still.
Before you leave, check for active road incidents on North Carolina Department of Transportation's DriveNC.gov map (using the Potential Tropical Cyclone filter), the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office, NC’s social media pages and mobile app, and local municipal pages.
Private Well Water Sample Fees Waived
Brunswick County residents whose private drinking water well flooded during the heavy rains from PTC #8 on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, can get their drinking water tested for free.
Brunswick County Environmental Health will be waiving the normal $50 bacteriological water sample fee for drinking well water testing now through Oct. 4, 2024. The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved waiving these fees during the Sept. 23 regular meeting.
Call Brunswick County Environmental Health at 910-253-2150 to speak to someone about requesting testing of your drinking water well. If your well was flooded, health officials recommend boiling your water before using it, or use bottled water until your drinking water well can be tested.
Damage Assessments Under Way / Watch for Potential Scams
North Carolina Emergency Management arrived in Brunswick County on Monday and is currently doing damage assessments across the county. FEMA representatives are not in the area yet at this time. Brunswick County will provide status updates on the assessment process and when FEMA may arrive as information becomes available.
If anyone approaches you claiming to be from NCEM or another local, state, or federal agency, be sure to ask for their credentials to ensure they are legitimate. These agencies will never ask you to provide your personal or financial information in exchange for assistance.
For questions about the assessment process or other PTC #8 related matters, residents can call Brunswick County Emergency Management at 910-253-5383 (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday).
To report information on a potential scam, contact the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office at 910.253.2777 (main non-emergency line) or submit it on the Sheriff’s Office website here.
Property owners that experienced damages are encouraged to take photos and notes for possible state or federal assistance opportunities should they become available for our area in the future.
Health & Safety Reminders
Flood waters are not safe for human contact. Avoid walking in or any other contact with flood waters as there is likely contamination potentially causing illness. Use extra caution with all clean-up and repairs. Hazards to be aware of are contaminated flood waters, wildlife displaced by flooding, loose debris displaced by flood waters, and other unusual impacts. Click here for more health and safety tips for after a flood.
NCDEQ: Precautionary swimming advisory lifted for most areas in New Hanover and Brunswick Counties after tropical storm (Posted Sept. 26, 2024)
Mosquito Control
Brunswick County’s Mosquito Control division will actively spray via spray truck throughout the unincorporated areas of the county once conditions are safe to do so to address adult mosquito populations related to this storm. This service is weather dependent and takes place around dusk each evening. Residents can use the County’s online service request form to request service, which is available on our website at brunswickcountync.gov/mosquitocontrol.
Keep in mind that there is higher demand for this service following storm events. If you live within incorporated city, town, or village limits, check with your municipal officials to see if your area receives mosquito control services from your municipality.
Next update: Future updates on PTC #8 will be shared as new information becomes available.
State of Emergency