Tropical Storm Ophelia Information
Quick Updates & Resources
- This storm was upgraded to Tropical Storm Ophelia as of 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 22
- Find the latest weather conditions and projections on Tropical Storm Ophelia from the NWS-Wilmington at weather.gov/ilm/briefing
- Sign up or check your notification preferences for ReadyBrunswick emergency notifications at brunswickcountync.gov/e-alerts
Latest Updates from NWS-Wilmington
NWS-Wilmington Update from Friday, Sept. 22 at 6:10 p.m. (Last Planned Briefing)
- Tropical Storm Ophelia will continue to move toward the NC coast tonight bringing a variety of impacts to the area.
- Conditions are expected to gradually improve during Saturday as Ophelia moves away from the area towards the north.
- A quick summary of impacts that are expected across northeast South Carolina and southeast North Carolina include:
- Heavy rainfall with amounts of 2 to 4 inches across portions of southeast North Carolina with 6 to 8 inch amounts across Pender, New Hanover, and eastern Brunswick counties
- Some storm surge/coastal flooding (1-3 feet inundation above ground level, especially north of Cape Fear)
- Strong winds of 20 to 30 mph, with gusts to 40 to 50 mph especially along the coastal areas around Cape Fear northward to Surf City, NC (higher gusts are expected just off the coast)
- Strong rip currents and very rough surf
- Hazardous maritime conditions with large/steep seas
TROPICAL STORM OPHELIA (FORMERLY POTENTIAL TROPICAL CYCLONE 16) INFORMATION
Posted Sept. 22, 2023 / Note: This storm was upgraded to Tropical Storm Ophelia as of 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 22 (formerly Potential Tropical Cyclone 16)
Brunswick County continues to actively monitor Potential Tropical Cyclone 16 with our community partners and the National Weather Service in Wilmington (NWS-Wilmington). Brunswick County’s Emergency Operation Center is at Level 3 (Enhanced Monitoring) and will continue to monitor the system for any significant changes.
Most Brunswick County operations and services will continue as usual at this time except for the following changes:
- Brunswick County Parks will close early at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22
- All Brunswick County Parks and Recreation youth events are canceled for the weekend (Sept. 23-24)
If additional updates are necessary, Brunswick County will share them through our regular communications channels and post them online at brunswickcountync.gov/ptc16.
Regardless of whether a storm is a potential tropical cyclone, tropical storm, or hurricane, it can still create dangerous weather and marine conditions—even when offshore or when our area is not directly in its projected track. Brunswick County reminds community members and visitors to stay aware and follow any instructions issued by public safety professionals and community officials regarding this storm.
LATEST NWS-WILMINGTON WEATHER INFORMATION
Note: The information below is from the latest National Weather Service-Wilmington briefing issued Friday, Sept. 22 at 12:15 p.m. Conditions and information are subject to change over the course of the storm. Find the latest weather conditions and projections on Potential Tropical Storm 16 from the NWS-Wilmington at weather.gov/ilm/briefing.
As of Sept. 22, 2023, a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the coastal waters of Brunswick County.
Low pressure off the southeast U.S. coast continues to have the potential to develop tropical characteristics as it approaches the North Carolina coast tonight into Saturday morning. The storm will generally result in some impacts across portions of southeast and northeast North Carolina today and tonight with conditions improving during Saturday as the storm lifts away from the area.
A quick summary of impacts that are expected across northeast South Carolina and southeast North Carolina include:
- Heavy rainfall with amounts of 2 to 4 inches in some areas with some locally higher amounts expected (highest amounts expected across coastal areas of southeast North Carolina)
- Some storm surge/coastal flooding (1-3 feet inundation above ground level, especially north of Cape Fear)
- Increasing winds of 20 to 30 mph, with gusts to 40 to 50 mph especially along the coastal areas around Cape Fear northward to Surf City, NC (higher gusts are expected just off the coast)
- Strong rip currents and very rough surf
- Hazardous maritime conditions with steep seas
PREPAREDNESS TIPS AND REMINDERS
Stay informed. During an emergency, stay tuned to reliable local media outlets and Brunswick County on X / Twitter, Facebook, and Nextdoor for continuous updates. You can also subscribe to receive email updates from the County to stay updated on media releases and important announcements.
Subscribe to emergency notifications. Residents and visitors can sign up or check their notification preferences with our ReadyBrunswick emergency notification systeam at brunswickcountync.gov/e-alerts
Prepare your home. Make sure everyone in your household knows how to turn off the electricity, gas, and water in case of emergency. Start gathering materials to secure your home, especially doors, garages, and windows, from damage that could be caused by wind and debris.
Prepare an emergency kit. An emergency kit is vital for your survival in situations where help might not be easily accessible due to power outages, flooding, and road damage. When preparing an emergency kit, it is recommended to prepare three to seven days-worth of non-perishable food and water for each member of the family and pets. North Carolina Cooperative Extension in Brunswick County has prepared a hurricane cookbook to help individuals and families prepare meals in advance in case of an emergency.
Create an evacuation plan. When planning where to evacuate, we recommend finding a place to stay in advance that is outside of typical affected areas and that is not in flood-prone areas, typically inland. Ready offers free resources to learn more about the disasters you may face and what to consider when planning for them.
Sign up for the Special Needs Registry. Residents are strongly encouraged to sign up for the Brunswick County Special Needs Registry if they have additional needs in functional areas. These functional needs may include but are not limited to maintaining independence, communication, transportation, supervision, and medical care.
Know who to call. Make a list of all important phone numbers you’ll need in an emergency. We encourage you to use phones sparingly and have portable chargers on hand in case of power outages.
Quick Links
Brunswick County Utilities After-Hours Emergencies (Water and Sewer)
910-755-7921
910-371-3490
910-454-0512
Duke Energy Progress Power Outages
Online: www.duke-energy.com/outages
Using the Duke Energy mobile app – Download the Duke Energy App from a smartphone via Apple Store or Google Play
Text OUT to 57801
Call 1-800-419-6356
Report Downed Power Lines: 800-777-9898
Brunswick Electric Membership Cooperation Power Outages
Online: https://outage-trouble.bemc.org/
Text OUTAGE to 800-682-5309
Call 800-682-5309
Never Drive Through Floodwaters or Around Barricades
Roads may flood due to tropical storm or hurricane conditions. Do not drive through flooded roads or around barricades. TURN AROUND DON’T DROWN.
See real-time travel updates from the NCDOT via the button below.