Brunswick County PTC #8 Updates
Information as of Sept. 27, 2024 at 4 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 (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday). For all emergencies, call 9-1-1.
Here are some of the latest information and updates as of Friday, Sept. 27 at 4 p.m. Find the latest updates at brunswickcountync.gov/ptc8.
Road Closures & Conditions Map
- Click Here to See Latest Road Conditions and Closures in Real-Time
- Click here to See Alternative Route in Southport / Boiling Spring Lakes Area
Newest updates are near the top.
County Phone System Issue
Due to impacts from Tropical Cyclone Helene, Brunswick County phones are experiencing issues with inbound calls. This does not affect 9-1-1 emergency calls. Those who traditionally conduct business with Brunswick County over the phone are encouraged to contact us and use services available through our website at brunswickcountync.gov. We are working with our telecommunication partners to address this issue.
Weather & Safety Reminders following Tropical Cyclone Helene
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 potential tropical activity in the Atlantic, including any impacts due to Tropical Cyclone Helene.
Brunswick County is monitoring and sharing updates for Helene at brunswickcountync.gov/helene.
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.
American Red Cross Shelter Information
The American Red Cross North Carolina Region’s shelter is located at The First Tee of Coastal Carolinas (445 Tarkin Court NW, Shallotte, NC 28470).
The shelter is available free of charge to individuals and families who need assistance and connect with resources. The shelter is pet friendly. If you need shelter assistance, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or the Brunswick County Call Center at 910-253-5383 (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday).
Electric Outages
If you experience a power outage, report it to your utility company. Remember that electric crews will have to wait for safe conditions to begin restoring power.
- Duke Energy: duke-energy.com/outages
- Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation: bemc.org/report-power-outage
Master Gardener Fall Plant Sale Rescheduled
Due to the weather forecast for Friday, Sept. 27, the Brunswick County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Association has rescheduled the upcoming Fall Plant Sale. The Plant Sale will now be a one-day event, held on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 9 a.m. until sell out (or until 2 p.m. at the latest). The event will take place behind Building N at the Brunswick County Government Center in Bolivia. Accepted payment methods include cash, check, or credit card with a 3% convenience fee for use of a credit card.
Also, during the Fall Plant Sale, there will be Extension Master Gardener docents in the Brunswick County Botanical Garden sharing information and answering questions for those who had planned to attend the scheduled Garden Open House. For questions, contact N.C. Cooperative Extension - Brunswick County Center at 910-253-2610.
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’s Call Center 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.
Curbside Trash & Recycling Cart Collections
Please call GFL Environmental at 910-253-4177 if you have any questions concerning your cart collections or missed service.
Brunswick County Landfill
The Brunswick County Landfill is operating on its regular schedule. The Free Cleanup Week at the Brunswick County Landfill is now under way and was extended through this Saturday, Sept. 28 to allow residents additional time to benefit from this service following the storm.
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.
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 (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday). 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 (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday) to be added to an assessment list for support. Assistance needs can include needing help with 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. Baptist on Mission is consolidating its recovery sites to its Southport location, but community members can still contact either location for assistance. Community members from all parts of Brunswick County can request this assistance.
- Leland: (910)232-5141 or f.leland2024@ncmissions.org
- Southport: (910)232-5149 or f.southport2024@ncmissions.org
- 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.
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. 28 around 4 p.m.