1996-09-08 Emergency Meeting
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
EMERGENCY SESSION, SEPTEMBER 8, 1996
BOOK 25
PAGE 587
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held a Special
Meeting on Sunday, September 8, 1996, at 9:30 A.M. in Room 501 of
the County Administration Building, 320 Chestnut 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 expressed
appreciation to the elected officials who were able to attend the
meeting. He requested the Director of Emergency Management, Dan
Summers to present a status report on Hurricane Fran.
The following report was presented.
Meals: Approximately 18,000 meals were deployed at the food
stations on September 7, 1996.
Roads: All roads are essentially opened in the County. A portion
of North Kerr Avenue needs to be closed to clear trees and fallen
power lines. Road clearing and debris has been made more difficult
because of people riding around.
The Board agreed to use additional members of the National
Guard and deputies to control this situation.
Corporate Assistance: Aircraft is on its way to Charleston, South
Carolina, to pick-up 200 additional two-way radios for the beach
communities. These radios should be distributed by 8:00 P.M.
tonight. The U. S. Coast Guard is providing logistical support on
the aircraft.
Mosquito Control: After discussion with Vector Control, an aerial
mosquito spraying county-wide is needed to control the breeding of
mosqui tos due to heavy rains. The cost will be $21,300, which
should be reimbursed by FEMA. The Board was requested to approve
the funding so Vector Control can move forward with the project.
News releases have been prepared and will be released explaining
the helicopter spraying to the public.
Carolina Beach Town Manager, George Rose, commented on the
need for the spraying and asked if there would be any risk to the
public health with this type of spraying?
Director Summers responded the aerial spraying would be done
by helicopters, and there would be no human impact.
Consensus: It was the consensus of the Board to approve funding in
the amount of $21,300 for aerial mosquito spraying on a county-wide
basis.
Crisis Mental Health Workers: Crisis Mental Health Workers are
coming from Raleigh. The workers will be distributed as follows:
(1) two at Carolina Beach; (2) two at Kure Beach; (3) one at
Wrightsville Beach.
Emergency Medical Services for Re-Entry to Carolina Beach and Kure
Beach: A paramedic and four wheel drive vehicle will be placed on
each beach. Both beaches will be backed up by a squad utility
truck from the Fire Department. If an EMS transport is needed, the
ambulance will come from the Carolina Beach Road EMS station. Also,
there are seven EMT' s and one Physician's Assistant with the
National Guard Unit who will be able to provide services after
approval is received from the State of North Carolina.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
EMERGENCY SESSION, SEPTEMBER 8, 1996
BOOK 25
PAGE 588
One major concern has been with municipal department heads
calling for outside resources without going through the EOC. It is
imperative that each municipal government go through the EOC for
channeling resources. This communication loop must be used to
properly distribute the supplies received.
Discussion was held on National Guard troops being armed while
on patrol. Vice-Chairman Mathews stated he had no problem with
these troops being armed since many of the persons looting could be
carrying firearms.
Director Summers advised that after discussion with the
National Guard, the Adjutant Officer was the person responsible for
making this decision. As of this date, no problems have been
incurred with firearms.
Update on Shelters: The Dorothy B. Johnson Shelter is the only
shelter open. There are 127 persons in the shelter, and it will
remain operational for as long as necessary.
Health Department: Personnel from the Health Department have been
deployed to the beaches to provide tetanus shots. Emphasis was
placed on the importance of emergency personnel receiving tetanus
shots if they are assigned to work in ditches filled with standing
water.
Honaker's Ditch: Vector Control is in the process of checking on
Honaker's Ditch to see if some outflow can be created to assist
with removing water around the lake at Carolina Beach.
Distribution of Resources: The distribution of resources has been
working well at the site near the State Port. Six tractor/trailer
units have arrived with ice and supplies for the public. BellSouth
has provided pick-up trucks and drivers to distribute these
supplies to strategic locations. Self-sufficient shower units from
Ft. Bragg should be arriving and will be deployed to the beach
communities.
Flooding: With the prediction of heavy raln for the next two days,
flooding could become a major problem.
Prohibition on the Sale of Alcohol: The sale of alcohol has become
more of a problem. The Commissioners were requested to prohibit
the sale of alcohol in convenience stores one hour before the
curfew.
Sheriff McQueen reported prohibiting the sale of alcohol would
be of assistance to the Sheriff's Department, particularly with the
increase in domestic violence that has occurred since the storm.
Motion: Vice-Chairman Mathews MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner
Sisson to prohibit the sale of all alcoholic beverages one hour
before the curfew.
Chairman Greer stated he could not see where prohibiting the
sale of alcohol would help if imposed one hour before the curfew.
He stated, in his opinion, this may encourage people to rush out
and purchase alcohol from 9:00 P.M. until 10:00 P.M.
Sheriff McQueen reported he would be glad to monitor the
situation and report back to the Board if alcohol becomes more of
a problem.
Vice-Chairman Mathews WITHDREW THE MOTION.
Consensus: It was the consensus of the Board to defer action on
this matter for 24 hours and request the Sheriff to monitor the
situation and report back to the Board if the sale of alcohol
should be prohibited.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
EMERGENCY SESSION, SEPTEMBER 8, 1996
BOOK 25
PAGE 589
Restoration of Electrical Power: As of 8:00 A.M. this morning,
Carolina Power & Light Company had restored power to the following
areas:
Wilmington Area:
Whiteville Area:
Wallace Area:
27,259 with power and 61,800 without power
18,000 with power and 16,000 without power
1,900 with power and 11,000 without power
In the history of Carolina Power & Light Company, there has
never been an event that caused power outages to 800,000 customers
at one time. Over five-hundred poles will have to be rebuilt and
five-hundred miles of wire reconstructed.
Damage: The following figures were presented on structural damage
for Wilmington, Carolina Beach, and Kure Beach, not including the
unincorporated County or Wrightsville Beach.
(1) 341 structures have been totally destroyed consisting of 320
homes, 19 businesses and 2 other structures.
(2) 668 structures have received major damage consisting of 530
homes, 127 businesses, and 11 other structures.
(3) 3,420 structures have received minor damage consisting of
3,043 homes, 361 businesses, and 16 other structures.
Figures on structural damage are still being received at the
EOC Center.
Hospitals: The hospitals are extremely busy; however, the
facilities have sufficient beds and personnel.
Commissioner Sisson recommended that a policy be developed for
patients with special needs in order to avoid medical emergencies
during events of this type.
Director Summers reported that Staff was in the process of
securing three locations for establishing three Refreshment Centers
for persons who need to get out of the heat, get a cool drink, or
take a shower. The logistics have been established and hopefully
one center will be operational by 12:00 noon.
Comments from the Beach Communities
Mr. Herb McKim, Mayor of Wrightsville Beach, reported the Town
was in the process of restoring water and sewer to the beach.
Power will not be restored for a number of days; however, a
decision on the re-entry to Wrightsville Beach will be made this
afternoon by the Board of Aldermen. It is felt that re-entry will
occur sometime on Sunday. The north wall of the lower level of the
Shell Island Resort Hotel is gone, the dunes have washed away,
Mason's Inlet did not move south, and the water washed over to the
intersection of Highway 74-76 past the Marine Science Building.
Overall, it is felt that Wrightsville Beach came out well in the
loss of structures. It appears that new structures built under
more stringent building codes survived the storm much better than
older structures.
Mayor McKim expressed appreciation to an Ocean City, Maryland,
team, comprised of eighteen persons, who arrived at the beach
totally self-sufficient with heavy duty equipment. He introduced
one member of the team and stated without this assistance, the Town
of Wrightsville Beach would not have been able to clear the streets
so quickly.
Wrightsville Beach Town Manager, Tony Caudle, reported
structural damage was minimal with only one house destroyed. The
majority of damage occurred on the northern end. Power will be out
north of Salisbury Avenue until the north-end feeder can be
reconstructed. Generators have been ordered and the wells and lift
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
EMERGENCY SESSION, SEPTEMBER 8, 1996
BOOK 25
PAGE 590
stations should be fully operational within the next day. When
charging the water system to test for leaks, the Town experienced
a loss of 850,000 gallons of water; however, the Town is in the
process of addressing this issue. Also, there is concern for
turning on power to water-soaked homes, and Staff is working with
Carolina Power & Light Company to address safety issues. The beach
received a tremendous amount of overwash, and sand is being removed
from the streets to provide a basic level of fire service.
Discussion was held on the dangers involved with the unsafe
use of generators. Mayor McKim asked if the County had any way to
control this situation.
Director Summers reported there was no policy in place;
however, the Volunteer Firemen were going throughout the fire
districts and checking with the residents using generators to be
sure the machines were correctly connected.
Carolina Beach Town Manager, George Rose, reported there was
extensive damage to the northern end of Carolina Beach. Currently,
power has been restored to 50% of the residents. Approximately 30%
of the beach has water with the sewer system functioning at 100%.
These figures exclude the east side of the island because this area
is closed off to the public. A majority of the roads on the west
side of the island have been cleared. On the east side, asphalt
roads floated away with huge volumes of sand on the streets.
During the storm surge, the water crossed over to the First Baptist
Church. Florida and Virginia Avenue on the northern end, did not
receive as much damage as the oceanfront property. At the southern
end, the lake overflowed. There are two pumps running and the lake
is beginning to recede; however, the road in front of the lake is
still under water. The east side of the island received
considerable structural damage with homes completely destroyed.
The west side received less damage with blown off roofs, loss of
shingles, blown out windows, and other minor damages. There was
considerable damage to the marinas. The re-entry into Carolina
Beach was divided into two sections: East of Highway 421 and West
of Highway 421. Residents will be allowed on the West side and
homes can be occupied; however, the residents must remain on the
beach and observe the curfew. Residents living on the east of
Highway 421 must go to the Federal Point Food Lion Shopping Center
where buses will take them within five blocks of their properties.
Once the damage is assessed, these residents will have to leave the
beach. Every effort is being made to provide security for the
areas that are closed. The Charleston Police Officers and officers
from other areas have been of great assistance to the Town of
Carolina Beach in controlling traffic, looting, and enforcing the
curfew.
Wilmington City Manager, Mary Gornto, reported the City of
Wilmington was in much better shape than the beach communities.
She advised that the City would be glad to assist the beaches in
any way possible. As power returns, the City may be able to
release some genera tors to the beach communi ties. Household
garbage will be collected today since the City was not able to
follow its regular schedule on Friday. The debris removal process
has already begun in the City, and most of the streets should be
passable by this afternoon. Serious problems have been experienced
with the drainage system because of erosion, cave-ins, and debris
within the pipes. With a forecast for more rain, it is imperative
that private companies and homeowners do not rake or blow debris
into streets or storm drains.
In closing, City Manager Gornto asked if the City would be
required to perform a more detailed assessment report?
Director Summers reported after visiting Raleigh, the
threshold for individual grant assistance had been met and
approved. An appeal for not being required to complete a more
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
EMERGENCY SESSION, SEPTEMBER 8, 1996
BOOK 25
PAGE 591
detailed assessment has been requested from FEMA. The FEMA Public
Assistance Team is in town and may grant the request. Once a
decision is made by FEMA, there will be sufficient time to complete
a more detailed assessment report if necessary.
Curfew Continued: It was the consensus of the Board for the curfew
to be continued from 10:00 P.M. September 8, 1996, until 6:00 A.M.
September 9, 1996.
Discussion was held on the Price Gouging Ordinance adopted by
the City of Wilmington. City Manager Gornto advised that the City
Council adopted an ordinance which basically requires establishment
of prices at the manufacturer's suggested retail price, or at a
price above the pre-emergency level unless the merchant can
document the purchase of goods at an increased cost. Employees
from the City's Collections Office have been going into the field
and requiring transient vendors to purchase privilege licenses. At
this time, the vendors are informed about the Price Gouging
Ordinance. If the ordinance is violated, this becomes a misdemeanor
punishable by a fine not to exceed $500 or imprisonment not to
exceed thirty days.
Motion: Vice-Chairman Mathews MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner
Sisson to adopt a Price Gouging Ordinance similar to the ordinance
adopted by the City of Wilmington.
Chairman Greer commented on the City having more need for an
ordinance of this type and stated he felt additional work would be
placed on the Sheriff's Department.
Commissioner Caster requested an example
gouging had occurred in the City, and stated, in
the price is too high, a person should know not
product.
of where price
his opinion, if
to purchase the
City Manager Gornto responded that a $500 chain saw was being
sold for $1,500.
Chairman Greer called for a vote on the motion to adopt a
Price Gouging Ordinance.
Upon vote, the MOTION RECEIVED A TIE VOTE AND DID NOT CARRY AS
FOLLOWS:
Voting Aye: Commissioner Sisson
Vice-Chairman Mathews
Voting Nay: Commissioner Caster
Chairman Greer
Absent: Commissioner Barone
County Manager O'Neal reported County employees would return
to work Monday, September 9, 1996, and the Media Center would be
moved to Room 501.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Greer adjourned the meeting at 10:45 A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the Board