1996-09-06 Emergency Meeting
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
EMERGENCY SESSION, SEPTEMBER 6, 1996
BOOK 25
PAGE 582
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in Special
Session on Friday, September 6, 1996, at 1:00 P.M. in the Sheriff's
Conference Room in the Law Enforcement Building, 20 North Fourth
Street, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were: Commissioners William A. Caster;
William E. Sisson, Jr.; vice-Chairman E. L. Mathews, Jr.; Chairman
Robert G. Greer; County Manager, Allen O'Neal; County Attorney,
Wanda M. Copley; and Clerk to the Board, Lucie F. Harrell
Commissioner Sandra Barone was absent.
Chairman Greer called the meeting to order and requested the
Director of Emergency Management, Dan Summers, to present a report
on Hurricane Fran.
Status Report on Hurricane Fran
Director Summers reported a heavy volume of resources, such as
ice, bottled water, and other supplies were coming into the County.
These supplies will be distributed through Emergency Management.
There has been a shortage of two-way radios, and this morning the
EOC was informed that Motorola was shipping 100 to 200 hand-held
units from Charleston, South Carolina.
The Coast Guard Unit from Ft. Macon will be providing assistance
to the towns of Carolina Beach and Kure Beach.
Insurance adjusters have already arrived and Emergency
Management feels they should not be allowed on the beaches until
these communities have reopened. Emergency Management will
function as the liaison to get the names of the adjusters until the
beaches are ready for re-entry.
Overall, the EOC Center and Media Center are functioning well.
It appears that recovery efforts have been moving as quickly as
possible, and the cooperation from all agencies involved has been
exceptional.
Damage Assessment: The damage from Hurricane Fran far exceeds the
damage from Hurricane Bertha. At the present time, a dollar value
cannot be determined. With a storm surge of 12-14 feet, the beach
communi ties have suffered a considerable amount of structural
damage and overwash.
The Ft. Fisher Revetment Project lost the circular asphalt
road around the monument and the beach front walkway to the
Riggins. Presently, the Riggins remains in an unstable condition,
and the Dunes cannot be occupied until a structural engineering
inspection has been performed. The Center pier washed away and the
Kure Beach pier House remains in a fragile condition.
At Carolina Beach, the northern end was under water and there
will be considerable damage to structures as well as roads. On the
southern end, the lake overflowed with this road still under water.
At the present time, it is too soon to know the extent of the
damage on Carolina Beach.
Wrightsville Beach has a considerable amount of overwash along
the entire beach front and erosion was extensive at the northern
end. Docks washed across in front of Babies Hospital and floating
docks at the Bridge Tender were lost. The damage will be
considerable; however, it appears that Wrightsville Beach did not
receive as much structural damage as the other beach communities.
Burning Ban: Fire Services Administrator, Phil Kouwe,
that all but three Volunteer Fire Departments were able
operational during the storm. The Fire Service will be
with clearing roads when not responding to fire calls.
reported
to remain
assisting
There is
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
EMERGENCY SESSION, SEPTEMBER 6, 1996
BOOK 25
PAGE 583
grave concern for propane tanks that have broken loose and leaks in
gas lines. Hazardous waste teams will be working with the gas
companies to close leaks ln gas lines and respond to these
incidents.
Discussion was held on issuing a burning ban. Fire
Administrator Kouwe reported without adequate water resources ln
the County, a burning ban should be issued.
Motion: Commissioner Sisson MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman
Mathews to issue a burning ban effective Friday, September 6, 1996,
until further notice. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED AS FOLLOWS:
Voting Aye:
Commissioner Caster
Commissioner Sisson
Vice-Chairman Mathews
Chairman Greer
Absent:
Commissioner Barone
A copy of the burning ban ordinance is hereby incorporated as
a part of the minutes and is contained in Exhibit Book XXIII, Page
25.
Debris Removal: Discussion was held on the importance of informing
the public about debris removal, both vegetative and construction.
Director Summers reported the contract with D&J Enterprises, Inc.
would be continued and advised that clean-up activities would be
handled in the same manner as during Hurricane Bertha.
Curfew: Discussion was held on whether a curfew would be
beneficial. Sheriff Joe McQueen reported that a curfew would be
helpful in controlling traffic and looting. He suggested issuing
a curfew in conjunction with the one issued by the City of
Wilmington.
Motion: Commissioner Sisson MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman
Mathews to issue a curfew for New Hanover County from 10:00 P.M.
September 6, 1996, until 6:00 A.M. September 7, 1996. Upon vote,
the MOTION CARRIED AS FOLLOWS:
Voting Aye:
Commissioner Caster
Commissioner Sisson
Vice-Chairman Mathews
Chairman Greer
Absent:
Commissioner Barone
A copy of the ordinance continuing the curfew lS hereby
incorporated as a part of the minutes and is contained ln Exhibit
Book XXIII, Page 25.
Opening of Schools: Director Summers reported that discussion has
been held with the Board of Education about the re-opening of
schools. Staff feels it will be necessary to keep the schools
closed for a few days in order for the shelters to remain open. He
advised that once a decision was rendered, the public would be
notified immediately.
Media: The media was urged to request people to stay off of the
roads unless absolutely necessary. With fallen power lines and
debris, it is dangerous for persons to be driving until further
clean-up has occurred. Also, the media was requested to emphasize
the importance of people being patient with the debris removal
process. Once a schedule is implemented, the public will be
informed.
Re-entry Into the Beach Communi ties: Discussion was held on
whether Carolina Beach and Kure Beach had agreed on a plan for re-
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
EMERGENCY SESSION, SEPTEMBER 6, 1996
BOOK 25
PAGE 584
entry into the beach communities. Director Summers advised that a
meeting had been held with the beach officials and a re-entry plan
was in place. The major objective of the plan was to assure that
conditions were safe on the entire island before residents could
return. periodic reports will be received in the EOC and once both
governing bodies decide conditions are safe enough for re-entry,
people will be allowed to return to the beach communities.
Commissioner Caster commented on the importance of protecting
the public safety, but expressed concern for persons not being
allowed to return to the beach to see if damage had occurred to
their properties. He urged Staff to develop a plan that will allow
property owners to return in a reasonable length of time.
Inspections Report: Director of Inspections, Jay Graham, reported
that normal activities had been suspended with the Inspections
Staff being used for damage assessment until Monday. The Code
Office through the State has been contacted to assist with
processing permits for emergency repairs. Permits will be issued
at satellite sites in various locations throughout the County.
Once these sites are identified, the public will receive immediate
notification.
Consensus: Discussion was held on the need to hold a Press
Conference. It was the consensus of the Board to schedule a Press
Conference at 5:00 P.M. in the Media Center with Director Summers
presenting a brief update on the damages followed by a period of
questions and answers.
Chairman Greer announced that Governor Hunt would be flying ln
at 3:00 P.M. to observe the damages.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Greer announced that a Special Meeting was scheduled
for September 7, 1996, at 9:30 A.M. in the Conference Room located
at the Sheriff's Department.
Chairman Greer adjourned the meeting at 2:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the Board