Advisories/Watches/Warnings

• Cold Weather Advisory 

Dry weather returns today through this weekend, with below normal temperatures each day. A Cold Weather Advisory is expected Wednesday night into Thursday morning for wind chills in the 5-15 degree range. Hazardous driving conditions will continue through at least Thursday morning as limited melting occurs Wednesday, and any melting refreezing Wednesday night. A Small Craft Advisory remains in effect through late Wednesday afternoon for seas up to 6 feet and frequent gusts of 25 knots.

Any accumulations of snow/sleet could result in hazardous driving conditions. NCDOT crews are working around the clock in respond to this weather event. If drivers see crews brining or plowing roadways, please give them space to work.

Individuals are encouraged stay indoors and avoid driving when possible. If you must travel, remember to follow these safety tips: 

• Scrape off snow or ice and defrost windows;
• Slow down and leave plenty of room between you and other vehicles; and
• Be alert to shaded spots and bridges, as they freeze first.

 View more winter weather driving  safety tips from the N.C. Department of Public Safety and the N.C. Department of Transportation.

NWS-Wilmington shared its final special weather briefing on the winter storm Tuesday afternoon but is still sharing routine weather updates online. The next briefing is planned for Friday, Jan. 24 by 10 a.m. Remain alert for updates from the NWS-Wilmington at weather.gov/ilm and further details in their weather briefing at weather.gov/ilm/briefing.

Be alert for weather misinformation on social media. Oftentimes, people will show extreme scenarios with no context or a situation with little to no chance of occurring. Use credible sources of information including media partners, emergency managers, and the National Weather Service to get accurate weather information.

Brunswick County is monitoring the weather conditions with our community partners. Community members with questions or assistance needs are encouraged to visit brunswickcountync.gov/assistance.

Individuals who may need sheltering assistance may also contact the following community partners for information:

• Brunswick Christian Recovery Centers Inc. (Single Adults Only): 910.287.4357 
• Brunswick Partnership for Housing (Families and Couples): 910.946.1499

Brunswick Senior Resources, Inc. (BSRI) has space heaters available for seniors aged 60 or older who may need heating assistance. Call 910.754.2300 or email jsherman@bsrinc.org to request a space heater.

If you experience a power outage or see downed electrical lines, report it to your electric provider. Remember that electric crews will have to wait for safe conditions to begin restoring power.

• Duke Energy Progress: Report at duke-energy.com/outages, text OUT to 57801, call 800.419.6356, or use the Duke Energy App.
• Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation (BEMC): Report at bemc.org/report-power-outage, text OUTAGE to 800.682.5309, call 800.682.5309, or use the BEMC SmartHub App.

Latest County Updates

• The Brunswick County Emergency Operations Center is currently at Level 2 (Partial Activation), with essential public safety and response staff monitoring and responding to the weather event.
• All Brunswick County Government offices, libraries, and other facilities are closed Friday, Jan. 24 due to ongoing and projected winter weather conditions. All Brunswick County parks are closed until further notice. All Parks and Recreation youth programs are canceled until Monday, Jan. 27. Click here to learn more.
• Brunswick County libraries will reopen on their regular schedules Saturday, Jan. 25 unless conditions warrant additional closures. Library patrons will not be charged overdue fees while the libraries are closed for weather-related events. Overdue fees will resume once regular schedules resume. 
• GFL Environmental plans to open the Convenience Centers at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 24 and will open them on regular schedules Saturday, Jan. 25. The Brunswick County Landfill will remain closed Friday and will reopen on its regular schedule Saturday, Jan. 25 unless conditions warrant additional closures.  
• Due to the expected freezing temperatures on Thursday and Friday, GFL Environmental will not collect curbside trash and recycling carts on Thursday, Jan. 23 or Friday, Jan. 24 for the safety of their crews. The expected impacts and recovery dates for curbside trash and recycling customers through the rest of the week are as follows. Those with questions about their cart collections should contact GFL Environmental at 910.253.4177. Click here to learn more.
  • Wednesday Customers: GFL will now pick up Wednesday trash and recycling carts on Saturday, Jan. 25.
  • Thursday Customers: GFL will not collect trash and recycling carts on Thursday, Jan. 23. GFL will recover all trash and recycling from Thursday customers during their next regular collection day on Thursday, Jan. 30. GFL anticipates that these customers will have more trash and recycling than usual next week. Customers may leave extra bags securely near their cart for pick up. For questions, contact GFL Environmental at 910.253.4177.
  • Friday Customers (UPDATED JAN. 23): GFL will not collect trash and recycling carts on Friday, Jan. 24. GFL will recover all trash and recycling from Friday customers during their next regular collection day on Friday, Jan. 31. GFL anticipates that these customers will have more trash and recycling than usual next week. Customers may leave extra bags securely near their cart for pick up. For questions, contact GFL Environmental at 910.253.4177.
• Brunswick County Public Utilities customers are advised to take precautions now to protect their household and irrigation water systems from freezing due to this week’s inclement winter weather conditions. Click here to learn more about how to protect water systems.

Winter Weather Safety

Start preparing for below freezing temperatures and ensure the well-being of your family, pets, and property with the following safety tips.

• Register for the ReadyBrunswick emergency notification system.
• Have multiple ways to get weather information (local news and radio stations, NOAA weather radios, National Weather Service, emergency alert notifications, etc.)
• Seek shelter due to risk of harm from cold temperatures.
• Bring pets inside during winter weather. Move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas with non-frozen drinking water.
• Be aware of possible exposure dangers caused by colder than normal temperatures. Have a plan to prevent exposure dangers for people, pets, livestock, plants, and pipes. Learn more on the National Weather Service Cold Weather Safety webpage.
• Keep all heat sources—including fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, portable heaters, or candles—at least three feet away from anything that can burn.
• Check your space heater for cracked or damaged cords and plugs.
• Always plug space heaters directly into wall outlets. DON’T use an extension cord or power strip.
• NEVER use a stove, oven, or grill to heat your home.
• Check your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
• Operate generators outdoors, away from doors and windows to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Take precautions to protect household and irrigation water systems from freezing.
• Bridges and overpasses collect ice first. Approach them with a lot of caution. Do not push your brakes while on the bridge.