Brunswick County PTC #8 Updates
Information as of Sept. 22, 2024 at 2 p.m.
Brunswick County continues to respond to the impacts of Potential Tropical Cyclone #8. Public safety and essential personnel continue to work through the day and night to help our community recover from the storm. Community members with questions related to PTC #8 can call our Call Center at 910-253-5383.
Here are some of the latest information and updates as of Sunday, Sept. 22 at 2 p.m. Find the latest updates at brunswickcountync.gov/ptc8.
Weather & Safety Reminders During Hurricane Season
As we continue to respond to 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 any potential tropical activity in the Atlantic. Here are a few ways you can stay prepared and alert.
- 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.
Businesses Encouraged to Submit Damage Information
Brunswick County is assisting North Carolina Emergency Management in gathering information from businesses that experienced either physical damages and/or financial/economic damages due to PTC #8. This survey is for businesses only. Residential 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.
Business owners or managers can click here to take the survey. The deadline to submit has been extended to Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 12 p.m.
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.
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.
We have also heard several questions concerning some mobile map applications not correctly displaying closed roads. Please take caution and check Brunswick County’s online map and the North Carolina Department of Transportation's DriveNC.gov online map before traveling to ensure you are following accurate, safe routes.
Unfortunately, it is hard to tell when floodwaters may recede to allow people to pass through—and even then, the roads will still need to be inspected to ensure they are safe to travel on. Several roads in the county were damaged and will require repairs before they can be traveled on again. NCDOT is currently working to assess and repair roads and bridges that are not currently flooded.
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.
NCDOT Updates on US-17 and NC-211
*This information is from media releases from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). Brunswick County is not responsible for the accuracy of this information. For the most up-to-date information, visit the NCDOT website or contact NCDOT directly.
NCDOT staff and contract crews are actively working to reopen three bridges on N.C. 211 in Brunswick County that were washed out by flood waters earlier this week. Read Original Release on the NCDOT Website Here. Check the NCDOT’s DriveNC.gov map for latest road conditions.
- The bridge north of Southport over Dutchman Creek will have a drainage pipe installed temporarily – this work is expected to take several weeks – before the bridge can be reopened. Contract crews plan to have traffic on a new bridge within the next year or so.
At this time, the focus of the contractor is getting traffic restored on N.C. 211, so work on the widening project is paused. To read more about the project, visit this webpage.
NCDOT has reopened a portion of U.S. 17 in Town Creek using a temporary traffic pattern. Drivers can uses U.S. 17 in both directions until the area of Governors Road SE, where NCDOT has shifted northbound traffic to the southbound side to create a two-lane, two-way traffic pattern, with cars moving in both directions on the southbound side. Read Original Release on the NCDOT Website Here.
Code Administration Update on Inspections
The temporary suspension on Brunswick County Permit Portal's inspection scheduling due to PTC #8 has been lifted. Inspections previously scheduled for Friday, Sept. 20, and Monday, Sept. 23, are now canceled. We ask that you please re-verify all inspections in your portal that may be affected by the storm and cancel any that are not ready or cannot be conducted. We appreciate your patience as we work to recover from the storm and resume our inspection operations.
Brunswick County Meeting Updates
- The Brunswick County Board of Commissioners meeting that was to be held on Sept. 16, 2024, has been rescheduled for Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, at 6 p.m. Find the agenda on the Brunswick County Agendas and Minutes Portal.
- The Brunswick County Board of Elections meeting that was to be held on Sept. 17, 2024, has been rescheduled for Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, at 10 a.m. online via Zoom. Based on the changed meeting date, any public comments received through the online portal by 5 p.m. on September 25 will be included in the agenda packet. Click here to see the agenda.
- The Brunswick County Health and Human Services Advisory Board meeting originally scheduled for Monday, September 23, 2024, has been canceled.
Environmental Health Information Concerning Restaurants and Private Wells
Environmental Health Specialists have begun visiting food establishments (restaurants, etc.) to assist with any concerns on operations and/or re-opening as needed. The County will continue to call impacted restaurants and food establishments. Any establishment needing assistance should reach out to their normal contacts at Environmental Health with any questions or concerns.
Private drinking water wells testing is being evaluated at this time. Individuals with drinking water wells and/or on-site septic systems should use caution if floodwaters impacted the well head. We recommend property owners contact their regular plumber for assistance. Environmental Health staff will continue to provide guidance and well water testing.
Brunswick County Landfill
The Brunswick County Landfill has reopened and is operating on its regular schedule. The Free Cleanup Week at the Brunswick County Landfill began Thursday, Sept. 19 and will extend into next week through Saturday, Sept. 28 to allow residents additional time to benefit from this service following the storm.
Curbside Trash & Recycling Cart Collections
Monday and Tuesday curbside trash and recycling customers that missed their service due to the storm last week received a make-up pick-up this past Saturday, Sept. 21. GFL Environmental does not anticipate any issues with collections moving forward at this time. If you feel your cart may have been missed or have any questions about curbside collections, please contact GFL at 910.253.4177.
Brunswick County Parks & Recreation
Brunswick County Parks are now open across the county, with the exception of Brunswick Nature Park. All Brunswick County Flag Football, Future Stars Cheer, Youth Football, Youth Cheer, and Youth Soccer games scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 21 were canceled. We hope to see everyone back on the field next Saturday, Sept. 28.
Brunswick County Library
Brunswick County Library is not charging fines for materials due this week. The Library will be fine-free through Monday, Sept. 23. Please stay safe and keep your library materials safe as well.
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.
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.
Mosquitos may become more bothersome in the days following a rain and flooding event such as this. While not all species nor all mosquitos carry diseases, there is always a possibility they could. Recent testing of mosquitos from our area tested at the NC State Public Health Lab revealed no mosquitos positive for any diseases. Use long sleeves and long pants, hats and other protective clothing, avoid dawn and dusk outside activity, and use mosquito repellants when outside.
Water & Wastewater Services
We encourage customers to check our Advisories & News webpage to see the latest status or updates concerning any system pressure advisories or outage notices. To receive notification via email when a general advisory is issued, sign up for the Utilities Updates email list. Customers can report issues using our after-hours emergency lines listed below.
- 910-755-7921
- 910-371-3490
- 910-454-0512
Call Center & Assistance Requests
Brunswick County Emergency Management has set up a Call Center to help address questions and assistance requests related to Potential Tropical Cyclone #8 and its aftermath. Call the Call Center at 910-253-5383. Individuals can also email questions to emergency.management@brunswickcountync.gov.
Participating agencies from the Brunswick County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) help provide support and resources to the community following storms and disasters. If you have a need for assistance related to Potential Tropical Cyclone #8, contact Emergency Management at 910-253-5383 to be added to an assessment list for support. Assistance needs can include needing help with hot meals, moving furniture, clean up, etc.
Other Assistance Opportunities
- Baptist on Mission is assisting in cleaning up homeowners’ properties following the storm. Individuals can sign up for the waiting list online here. Putting your name on this list does not guarantee help from the organization. Families can also contact their Leland and Southport locations to sign up for the waiting list via the phone numbers and emails below.
- Another option for help with cleaning up damage is the Crisis Cleanup Hotline at 910-218-1569. They will help connect you with volunteers from local organizations, groups, and faith communities to assist with muck out, debris, tarp, and trees. Services are free but not guaranteed due to need. The hotline will remain open through 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, you can contact BFA during their regular business hours during the weekdays at (910) 754-4766 or call the Call Center this weekend at 910-253-5383.
Free Resources Include:- Flood buckets (with cleaning supplies)
- Toiletry kits
- Blankets
Click here for more information and resources related to assistance for PTC #8.
Next update: Sept. 23 around 10 a.m.
County Operations
State of Emergency