1999-10-16 Emergency Meeting
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 27
MINUTES OF EMERGENCY SESSION, HURRICANE IRENEPAGE 575
OCTOBER 16, 1999
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners met in an Emergency Session on
Saturday, October 16, 1999, at 2:00 p.m. in the New Hanover County Administration Building,
Room 501, 320 Chestnut Street, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were: Commissioner Buzz Birzenieks; Commissioner Ted Davis, Jr.;
Commissioner Charles R. Howell; Vice-Chairman Robert G. Greer; Chairman William A. Caster;
County Manager, Allen O’Neal; County Attorney, Wanda M. Copley; and Clerk to the Board, Lucie
F. Harrell.
Others present were: Mayor Ray Rothrock, Town of Carolina Beach; Mayor Betty Medlin;
Town of Kure Beach; Mayor Robert Avery, Town of Wrightsville Beach; and Assistant City
Manager, Bill Whisnant, representing Mayor Hicks, who was out of town.
Chairman Caster called the meeting to order and stated the purpose of the Emergency Session
was to hear a briefing on Hurricane Irene. He requested Emergency Management Director, Dan
Summers, to present the status report.
HURRICANE BRIEFING
Director Summers showed the current model of Hurricane Irene and stated a major concern
was the rainfall associated with this storm estimated at 6 to 8 inches. He said that Brunswick County
was closely monitoring the storm, and it appears that New Hanover County remains dead center for
a strike.
Two issues to monitor will be strengthening of Hurricane Irene when reaching the Gulf
Stream waters and the recent temperatures as well as the decrease in water temperature from
Hurricane Floyd. These factors will determine the exact impact of this storm on southeastern North
Carolina.
Hurricane Irene is a Category 1 event, and it is anticipated that winds in excess of 85 mph will
be in the area. Emergency Management Departments throughout southeastern North Carolina will
have to activate quickly to prepare for another storm.
The following information was presented:
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New Hanover County is under a Hurricane Warning.
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Estimated time of gale force winds will arrive at 10:00 a.m. Sunday, October 17, 1999 with
64 mph winds at 12:00 noon, and hurricane force winds at 8:00 p.m. on Sunday. This will
create a landfall during day time hours, which will require decisions to be made by tonight.
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Estimated time for the decision to evacuate should be made no later than 11:00 p.m.,
Saturday, October 16, 1999.
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Tornado warnings in the area are of major concern, and these weather forecasts will have to
be closely monitored.
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The Joint Information Center (JIC) will be opened at 5:00 p.m., Saturday, October 16, 1999.
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The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will be activated at 7:00 a.m. Sunday, October 17,
1999.
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The Special Needs Emergency Operations Center will be activated by 6:00 a.m, Sunday,
October 17, 1999.
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The next briefing for Elected Officials should be at 8:00 p.m., Saturday, October 16, 1999.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 27
MINUTES OF EMERGENCY SESSION, HURRICANE IRENEPAGE 576
OCTOBER 16, 1999
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The Codington Shelter will be activated by 9:00 p.m. with the Dorothy B. Johnson Shelter
on standby.
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Wilmington is at a 22 percent strike probability.
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The eye of Hurricane Irene should arrive at 9:00 p.m., Sunday, October 17, 1999, and
through the area by 4:00 a.m., Monday, October 18, 1999.
Director Summers recommended that all governmental jurisdictions should activate another
State of Emergency for Hurricane Irene. FEMA requires a separate State of Emergency for each
hurricane event. There is no need to place prohibitions in the declaration; however, the public should
be informed to maintain a high level of readiness. There is concern about roads that have not been
repaired after Hurricane Floyd and the possibility of heavy rain further eroding road conditions.
Director Summers recommended a voluntary evacuation of beaches, sounds, and adjacent
Intra-Coastal Waterway areas. Residents who experienced stormwater and roadway flooding during
Hurricane Floyd should closely monitor drainage in their neighborhoods and make preparations to
temporarily move away from flooded areas in advance of the 39 mph winds, which are expected by
10:00 a.m. Sunday, October 17, 1999, or earlier based on pre-landfall rain accumulations. This storm
is anticipated to produce moderate to heavy rains causing more strain on the damaged or clogged
drainage systems. Residents who do not live on the beachfront or adjacent to the Intra-Coastal
Waterway should be prepared to take shelter in their residences and carefully monitor conditions.
Preparation efforts should be made throughout the day.
Mr. Tony Caudle, Manager of the Town of Wrightsville Beach, reminded everyone that beach
berms have not been repaired from Hurricane Floyd, which will create a decrease in elevation and
allow for a larger overwash from the projected storm surge of 6 to 8 feet.
Mayor Rothrock commented on the Surf Fishing Tournament taking place at the northern end
of Carolina Beach and other fishermen on the southern end of Kure Beach and he stated this could
create a problem with the evacuation process.
Director Summers noted that Rocky Mount, Greenville, Wilson, and Edgecombe County will
receive more water in places that are already flooded; therefore, State resources will not be available
to assist with moving people out of harm’s way before midnight.
Discussion was held on closing the New Hanover County Fair. The manager of the fair
reported that when any significant rainfall occurs, the fair is closed. The elected officials were assured
that the fair would be closed.
Discussion was held on when the shelters should be opened. Ms. Chris McNamee expressed
concern about opening the shelters at night, and she recommended opening both the Codington and
Dorothy B. Johnson Shelters by 7:00 p.m. to insure the safety of staff when traveling to the shelters.
Consensus:
After further discussion, it was the consensus of the Board to staff the Codington and
Dorothy B. Johnson Shelters by 7:00 p.m. tonight and open the shelters by 8:00 p.m. with no food
service.
Discussion was held on whether to declare a mandatory evacuation at the beach communities,
sounds, and Intra-Coastal Waterway areas. Mayor Rothrock and Mayor Medlin recommended a
voluntary evacuation with close monitoring of the storm and declaring a mandatory evacuation early
Sunday morning, if necessary.
Mayor Medlin suggested addressing the mandatory evacuation at the next meeting to be held
this evening.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 27
MINUTES OF EMERGENCY SESSION, HURRICANE IRENEPAGE 577
OCTOBER 16, 1999
Motion:
Commissioner Birzenieks MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman Greer to declare a
formal Declaration of Emergency in New Hanover County, a voluntary evacuation of the beach
communities, sounds, and adjacent Intra-Coastal Waterway areas with no prohibitions at this time,
and to keep residents on a high level of readiness. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY.
A copy of the Declaration of Emergency is hereby incorporated as a part of the minutes and
is contained in Exhibit Book XXV, Page 21.
After discussion of scheduling the meeting later today, it was agreed to change the meeting
time from 8:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. so the latest weather data can be presented.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairman Caster, on behalf of the Board, expressed appreciation to everyone present for
attending the briefing and stated the next briefing will be at 8:30 p.m.
Motion:
Commissioner Birzenieks MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Davis to adjourn.
Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chairman Caster adjourned the meeting at 2:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the Board
MINUTES OF EMERGENCY SESSION, OCTOBER 16, 1999, 8:30 P.M.
HURRICANE IRENE
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held an Emergency Session on October
16, 1999, at 8:30 p.m. in the New Hanover County Administration Building, 320 Chestnut Street,
Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were: Commissioner Birzenieks; Commissioner Ted Davis, Jr.;
Commissioner Charles R. Howell; Vice-Chairman Greer; Chairman William A. Caster; County
Manager, Allen O’Neal; County Attorney, Wanda M. Copley; and Clerk to the Board, Lucie F.
Harrell.
Others present were: Mayor Rothrock, Town of Carolina Beach; Mayor Betty Medlin; Town
of Kure Beach; Mayor Robert Avery, Town of Wrightsville Beach; Assistant City Manager, Bill
Whisnant.
Chairman Caster called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone present. He requested
Emergency Management Director Dan Summers to present a status report on Hurricane Irene.
HURRICANE BRIEFING
Director Summers presented the following information based on the latest weather report:
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Estimated time for arrival of gale force winds is 7:00 a.m., Sunday, October 17, 1999.
Hurricane Irene has increased in speed.
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Voluntary evacuation should be completed by 11:00 p.m., Saturday, October 16, 1999.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 27
MINUTES OF EMERGENCY SESSION, HURRICANE IRENEPAGE 578
OCTOBER 16, 1999
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The Joint Information Center (JIC) will be opened until 11:30 p.m. tonight and re-open at
7:00 a.m. Sunday, October 17, 1999.
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The Emergency Operations Center will be reopened with full staffing at 5:00 a.m., Sunday,
October 17, 1999.
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The Special Needs Emergency Operations Center will be activated by 7:00 a.m., Sunday,
October 17, 1999.
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Precautionary evacuation statements and discussions have not changed.
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The Codington and Dorothy B. Johnson School shelters are opened with staffing and
equipment.
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The storm surge has decreased from 6 to 8 feet to 4 to 6 feet.
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Wilmington is at a 27 percent strike probability.
Director Summers reported that elected officials will have to decide on the date and time of
the next briefing. Hurricane force winds will arrive at 4:00 p.m. and winds will increase to 85 mph
at 6:00 p.m., Sunday, October 17, 1999.
Discussion occurred on whether to issue a mandatory evacuation. Director Summers advised
that he felt some deterioration would occur with Hurricane Irene, and it might be wise to allow
residents to shelter in place.
Mayor Medlin requested an explanation of the term, sheltering in place. Director Summers
explained that persons living in substantial structures that have not experienced prior flooding can
stay in their homes. Persons who live in isolated areas that have experienced flooding, such as the
northern end of Carolina Beach, should temporarily move away from flooded areas.
Mayor Medlin recommended allowing the voluntary evacuation to remain in place and send
staff out to check on persons by going from door to door.
Wrightsville Beach Town Manager Caudle recommended using a curfew to keep residents
in their homes and stop sightseers from coming to the beach communities.
Mayor Rothrock recommended contacting the persons in areas that have previously been
flooded and placing a curfew at the beach communities to become effective tomorrow.
Consensus:
After further discussion, it was the consensus of the Board of County Commissioners
to allow the voluntary evacuation to remain in effect with beach officials contacting persons in danger
and deciding if a curfew should be implemented on Sunday, October 17, 1999.
Further discussion was held on the closing of the schools and courts.
Dr. John Morris, Superintendent of Schools, reported that New Hanover County Schools will
be closed on Monday, and Judge John Smith advised that courts will also be closed on Monday,
October 18, 1999.
Chairman Caster asked if another meeting should be scheduled Sunday morning. After
discussion, the governing bodies agreed to hold a Telephone Conference Call at 10:00 a.m. on
Sunday, October 17, 1999.
Director Summers recommended contacting churches about canceling church services on
Sunday to keep people from driving on roads that could be hazardous.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS BOOK 27
MINUTES OF EMERGENCY SESSION, HURRICANE IRENEPAGE 579
OCTOBER 16, 1999
ADJOURNMENT
Motion:
Commissioner Howell MOVED, SECONDED by Vice-Chairman Greer to adjourn. Upon
vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chairman Caster, on behalf of the Board, expressed appreciation to everyone present for
taking time to attend the meeting, and he adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the Board