2003-09-16 Emergency Meeting
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSBOOK 29
HURRICANE ISABEL EMERGENCY MEETINGSPAGE 776
SEPTEMBER 16 AND 17, 2003
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held an Emergency Meeting on Tuesday, September 16,
2003, at 9:00 a.m. in Room 501 of the New Hanover County Administration Building, 320 Chestnut Street, Wilmington,
North Carolina.
Members present were: Chairman Ted Davis, Jr; Vice-Chairman Robert G. Greer; Commissioner Julia
Boseman; Commissioner Nancy H. Pritchett; County Manager, Allen O'Neal; County Attorney, Wanda M. Copley; and
Clerk to the Board, Lucie F. Harrell.
Commissioner Caster was absent.
Elected Officials present were: Mayor Ray Rothrock, Town of Carolina Beach, and Sheriff Sidney A. Causey.
Others present were: John Morris, Superintendent of Schools, Bill Hance, Assistant Superintendent of Schools;
Carl Brown, Cape Fear Community College; Patricia Fields, New Hanover Regional Medical Center; Andrea Surratt,
Town Manager of Wrightsville Beach; Calvin Peck, Town Manager of Carolina Beach; Jackson Provost, NCDOT local
office; Doug Erickson, American Red Cross; Tom Parker, Deputy Chief of the Sheriff's Department; Ray Church,
Director of Environmental Management; Andrew J. Atkinson, Deputy County Manager; Dave Weaver, Assistant County
Manager; Patricia A. Melvin, Assistant County Manager; Bruce Shell, Finance Director; Bill Clontz, IT Director; Wyatt
Blanchard, County Engineer; Annette Crumpton, Department of Aging; LaVaughn Nesmith, Department of Social
Services; Christine McNamee, Department of Social Services; Catherine C. Morgan, representing the Department of
Human Resources; Mark Boyer, New Hanover County Public Information Officer; Jeff Babb, Emergency Management;
Dewey Harris, City of Wilmington Director of Community Services; and Susan Wynn, County Manager's Office.
Chairman Davis called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone present. He advised that the Emergency
Session had been called to discuss the current location of Hurricane Isabel and the possible impact to New Hanover
County. He requested Emergency Management Director Warren Lee to begin the presentation.
Director Lee expressed appreciation to everyone for attending the meeting and reported that Hurricane Isabel
was beginning to show signs of becoming ragged with shearing on the west side of the storm. The maximum winds have
decreased from 135 mph to 115 mph and the projected landfall is on Thursday near Cape Hatteras or further north. The
good news is that it does not appear Isabel will be a threat to New Hanover County, but this is still a large storm that will
have to be closely monitored. He stressed the importance of not becoming too complacent because the storm was three
days away and could change its path. Director Lee placed a conference call to the local office of the National Weather
Service and received the latest hurricane advisory.
Hurricane Isabel is expected to make landfall at Ocracoke, N. C. on Thursday afternoon. New
Hanover County will receive winds of 34 knots beginning Wednesday afternoon and increasing to 50
knots by 2:00 a.m. on Thursday morning. Winds will subside to 30 knots by Thursday evening. The
projected rainfall is 2 to 3 inches. Since the County is on the west side of the hurricane, and the wind
will be running parallel to the coast, there should be no significant storm surge.
A demonstration of the Hurrivac model was presented by Mr. Jeff Babb. The model indicated winds of 40 to
50 mph would be experienced at 2:00 a.m. on Thursday morning in New Hanover County.
Director Lee advised that since the storm will arrive early in the morning, it is critical for the Board to make
an evacuation decision by 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 17, 2003, and for decisions to be made regarding the
opening of shelters and school closings. He stated that the next weather advisory would be at 11:00 a.m.
Chairman Davis opened the floor to receive comments from the representatives of the various agencies.
Dr. John Morris, Superintendent of New Hanover County Schools, advised that the tentative plan is for schools
to close on Wednesday after lunch and remain closed until Friday. This schedule will allow Wednesday to be counted
as a full day of school, and there will be adequate time to convert one or two schools into shelters. He suggested using
Dorothy B. Johnson Elementary School as the first shelter and Eaton Elementary School as the second shelter since these
are year around schools with more flexible schedules.
Mr. Doug Erickson, representing the Red Cross, expressed concern about using a school as shelter through
Thursday night and having the building ready to reopen on Friday because of the time involved with moving the
equipment and cleaning the facility.
Mr. Jack Provost, a representative of the local NCDOT Office, reported that the department was prepared to
implement, the 1-40 Reversal Plan if an evacuation is declared. He also advised that if landfall occurs more than 50
miles north of New Hanover County, the plan would not be implemented.
Director Lee reported that final emergency plans and pre-existing contracts for generators and debris were in
place. If generators are needed for shelters, the County must notify the company 36 hours in advance, which means by
11:00 a.m. on September 17, 2003. He informed the Board that the first floor of the new County Parking Deck next to
the Main Library would be used as a staging area and advised that once the 5:00 p.m. weather advisory is received, a
determination will have to be made regarding school closings and issuing a possible voluntary evacuation.
In further discussion of the number of generators needed, the Board of County Commissioners agreed to
authorize the County Manager to proceed with notifying the company that New Hanover County will need three large
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSBOOK 29
HURRICANE ISABEL EMERGENCY MEETINGSPAGE 777
SEPTEMBER 16 AND 17, 2003
generators, two for the shelters, one for the school freezer, and two small generators for pump stations.
After hearing from the representatives for each agency, it was agreed to hold another meeting at 5:00 p.m. to
decide on whether a voluntary evacuation was needed and if any shelters should be opened.
Hearing no further comments, Chairman Davis adjourned the meeting at 10:00 a.m. Respectfully submitted,
Respectfully submitted,
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the Board
EMERGENCY MEETING HELD AT 5:00 P.M. ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2003
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held an Emergency Meeting on Tuesday, September 16,
2003, at 5:00 p.m. in Room 501 of the New Hanover County Administration Building, 320 Chestnut Street, Wilmington,
North Carolina.
Members present were: Chairman Ted Davis, Jr.; Vice-Chairman Robert G. Greer; Commissioner Julia
Boseman; Commissioner William A. Caster; Commissioner Nancy H. Pritchett; County Manager, Allen O'Neal; County
Attorney, Wanda M. Copley; and Clerk to the Board, Lucie F. Harrell.
Elected Officials present were: Mayor Harper Peterson, City of Wilmington; Mayor Ray Rothrock, Town of
Carolina Beach; Mayor Betty Medlin, Town of Kure Beach; Mayor Avery Roberts, Town of Wrightsville Beach; and
Sheriff Sidney A. Causey.
Others present were: Andrew J. Atkinson, Deputy County Manager; Dave Weaver, Assistant County Manager;
Patricia A. Melvin, Assistant County Manager; Bruce Shell, Finance Director; Bill Clontz, IT Director; Tom Parker,
Deputy Chief of the Sheriff's Department; Wyatt Blanchard, County Engineer; Ray Church, Director of Environmental
Management; Annette Crumpton, Department of Aging; LaVaughn Nesmith, Director of Social Services; Christine
McNamee, Department of Social Services; Catherine C. Morgan and Rosetta Bryant, Department of Human Resources;
Mark Boyer, Public Information Officer; Jeff Babb, Emergency Management; Allen Golden, Inspections Department;
Susan Wynn, County Manager's Office; Nancy Fowler, Engineering Department; John Morris, Superintendent of
Schools; Bill Hance, Assistant Superintendent of Schools; Carl Brown, Cape Fear Community College; Patricia Fields,
New Hanover Regional Medical Center; Calvin Peck, Town Manager of Carolina Beach; Jackson Provost, NCDOT;
Doug Erickson, American Red Cross; Al Morris, State Highway Patrol; James Deaton, State Highway Patrol; Suzanne
Blake, UNCW; Barbara Bisset, New Hanover Health Network; Ed Woodard, New Hanover Health Network; Jon
Rosborough, Wilmington International Airport; Ed Gibson, Wilmington Police Department; Dewey Harris, City Director
of Community Services; Tom Whitford, BellSouth; Ed Penny, BellSouth; David Kellam, Figure Eight Island; Connie
Nelson, Cape Fear Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau; LTJG Christa Jackson, US Coast Guard; LCDR Frank Robert,
US Coast Guard; and Harris McIntyre, New Hanover County Schools.
Chairman Davis called the meeting to order and requested Director of Emergency Management Warren Lee
to report on the latest developments with Hurricane Isabel.
Director Lee placed a conference call to the local office of the National Weather Service and received the latest
hurricane advisory:
The current path of Hurricane Isabel shows that the hurricane will make landfall at noon on Thursday
at Cape Lookout. The winds are 105 mph and there is a possibility that the storm could increase in
strength prior to landfall. In New Hanover County, winds at 35 mph should begin on Thursday
morning at 4:00 a.m. and increase to 50 mph by 2:00 p.m. Thursday. Rainfall is projected at 2 to 4
inches and winds are expected to be calm by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. The storm surge will be minimal
at 1 to 2 feet.
The track of the storm has remained constant over the past 36 hours, but there has been a slight shift
to the west. The National Hurricane Center has placed New Hanover County in the Hurricane Watch
area.
Director Lee reported that since the County has been included in the Hurricane Watch area, the Emergency
Operations Center (EOC) and Emergency Public Information Center (EPIC) will be activated at noon on Wednesday,
September 17, 2003. The phone number of the EPIC is 341-4304. He also requested the Board of County Commissioners
to consider declaring a State of Emergency in New Hanover County, determine if a voluntary evacuation is needed,
determine if shelters should be opened, and decide on school closings.
Chairman Davis opened the floor to receive comments.
Dr. John Morris, Superintendent of Schools, reported that a decision had been made by the School
Administration and Board of Education to release students after lunch on Wednesday, September 17, and close Pre-K
Centers all day on Wednesday. The tentative plan is to reopen schools on Friday, September 19, 2003.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSBOOK 29
HURRICANE ISABEL EMERGENCY MEETINGSPAGE 778
SEPTEMBER 16 AND 17, 2003
After a lengthy discussion on the need to provide shelter to people needing special assistance, residents living
in mobile homes, and persons who may decide to leave the beach, the Board decided to open one shelter at the Dorothy
B. Johnson Elementary School at 4:00 p.m. today. The Board also decided that further consideration, should be given
to opening another shelter, if needed, at the meeting to be scheduled on Wednesday, September 17, 2003.
After hearing from representatives of the agencies, the following information was received:
•Cape Fear Community College will be closed at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday and reopen on Friday, September 19,
2003.
•UNCW will probably issue a voluntary evacuation on Wednesday. An information hotline, (910) 962-3991 has
been established to inform students, families and staff about decisions regarding Hurricane Isabel.
•The Courts will be closed at noon on Wednesday.
•The Airport will stop flights when winds reach 30 knots.
A lengthy discussion was held on whether to declare a State of Emergency and issue a voluntary evacuation.
The Mayors of the beach communities were opposed to this action since the impact of Hurricane Isabel has been projected
to be minimal. The Mayors requested the Board to wait until Wednesday to make a decision on these issues.
Director Lee suggested scheduling the next Emergency Meeting on Wednesday at 11:00
a.m. or 5:00 p.m.
After discussion, the Board of County Commissioners agreed to hold another meeting on Wednesday, September
17, 2003, at11:00 a.m. in Room 501 of the County Administration Building, 320 Chestnut Street, Wilmington, North
Carolina.
Chairman Davis adjourned the meeting at 12:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the Board
EMERGENCY MEETING HELD ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2003
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held an Emergency Meeting on Wednesday, September 17,
2003, at 11:00 a.m. in Room 501 of the New Hanover County Administration Building, 320 Chestnut Street,
Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were: Chairman Ted Davis, Jr.; Vice-Chairman Robert G. Greer; Commissioner Julia
Boseman; Commissioner William A. Caster; Commissioner Nancy H. Pritchett; County Manager, Allen O'Neal; County
Attorney, Wanda M. Copley; and Clerk to the Board, Lucie F. Harrell.
Elected Officials present were: Mayor Harper Peterson, City of Wilmington; Mayor Ray Rothrock, Town of
Carolina Beach; Mayor Betty Medlin, Town of Kure Beach; Mayor Avery Roberts, Town of Wrightsville Beach; and
Sheriff Sidney A. Causey.
Others present were: Andrew J. Atkinson, Deputy County Manager; Dave Weaver, Assistant County Manager;
Patricia A. Melvin, Assistant County Manager; Bruce Shell, Finance Director; Bill Clontz, IT Director; Wyatt Blanchard,
County Engineer; Ray Church, Director of Environmental Management; Annette Crumpton, Department of Aging;
LaVaughn Nesmith, Director of Social Services; Christine McNamee, Department of Social Services; Catherine C.
Morgan, Human Resources Department; Mark Boyer, Public Information Officer; Jeff Babb, Emergency Management;
Carol Thiel, Emergency Management; Susan Wynn, County Manager's Office; John Morris, Superintendent of New
Hanover County Schools; Bill Hance, Assistance Superintendent of New Hanover County Schools; Carl Brown, Cape
Fear Community College; Patricia Fields, New Hanover Regional Medical Center; Calvin Peck, Town Manager of
Carolina Beach; Jackson Provost, NCDOT; Doug Erickson, American Red Cross; Tom Parker, Deputy Chief of the
Sheriff's Department; Al Morris, State Highway Patrol; James Deaton, State Highway Patrol; Suzanne Blake, UNCW;
Barbara Bisset, New Hanover Health Network; Ed Woodard, New Hanover Health Network; Jon Rosborough,
Wilmington International Airport; Ed Gibson, Wilmington Police Department; Tom Whifford, BellSouth; Ed Penny,
BellSouth; David Kellam, Figure Eight Island; Connie Nelson, Cape Fear Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau;
Sterling Cheatham, City Manager; Dewey Harris, City Director of Community Services; and Harris McIntyre, New
Hanover County Schools.
Chairman Davis called the meeting to order and requested Director of Emergency Management Warren Lee
to report on the latest developments with Hurricane Isabel.
Director Lee advised that the eye of Hurricane Isabel is expected to reach landfall on Thursday at noon around
Cape Lookout with winds of 95 mph. New Hanover County is expected to have winds of 39 mph at 3:00 a.m. Thursday
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSBOOK 29
HURRICANE ISABEL EMERGENCY MEETINGSPAGE 779
SEPTEMBER 16 AND 17, 2003
with winds increasing to 52 mph by 2:00 p.m. The winds should subside by 10:00 p.m. The impact on New Hanover
County is projected to be minimal.
County Manager O Neal advised that the State of North Carolina has declared a State of Emergency and New
Hanover County is identified in the Hurricane Watch; therefore, the County should adopt a proclamation declaring a
State of Emergency.
After receiving comments from the elected officials regarding issuing any type of evacuation, curfew, sale of
alcoholic beverages and fire arms with the projected minimal threat from Hurricane Isabel, the Board of County
Commissioners adopted the following proclamation to allow decisions to be made on these items as needed:
PROCLAMATION
DECLARING A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN NEW HANOVER COUNTY
Section 1: Pursuant to New Hanover County Code Chapter 17, Article III, Section 17.71 and Section 17.72, and
North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 166A and Article 36A, Chapter 14, the New Hanover County
Board of Commissioners has determined that a State of Emergency as defined in the New Hanover
County Code Section 17.71 exists in New Hanover County.
Section 2:The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners, therefore, proclaims the existence of a State of
Emergency in New Hanover County.
Section3: The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners hereby orders all county law enforcement officers,
employees and all emergency management personnel to cooperate in the enforcement and
implementation of the provisions of the county emergency ordinances, which are set forth below.
Section 4:Evacuation. To be announced.
Section 5:Curfew. To be announced.
Section 6:No Alcoholic Beverages. To be announced.
Section 7:No Firearms, Ammunition, or Explosives. To be announced.
Section 8:Execution of Emergency Plan. All persons and emergency management personnel within New
Hanover County are ordered to comply with the emergency plan.
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Section 9: This proclamation shall become effective immediately. Proclaimed this the 17 day of September,
2003, at 12:00 noon.
Hearing no further comments, Chairman Davis advised that any future meetings would be held at the EOC.
He expressed appreciation to the Mayors of the Municipalities, Emergency Management Director Warren Lee, County
Staff, and agency representatives for the efforts given to prepare and protect our citizens during a hurricane event.
A copy of the proclamation is contained in Exhibit Book XXVII, Page 19.
Chairman Davis adjourned the meeting at 12:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the Board