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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