1998-08-25 Emergency Meeting 1 (Bonnie)
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSBOOK 26
EMERGENCY MEETING, AUGUST 25, 1998PAGE 654
HURRICANE BONNIE
ASSEMBLY
The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners held an Emergency Session on Tuesday,
August 25, 1998, at 8:00 a.m. in Room 501 of the New Hanover County Administration Building,
320 Chestnut Street, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were: Commissioners 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.
Other persons present were: Mayor Ray Rothrock, Town of Carolina Beach; Mayor Betty
Medlin, Town of Kure Beach; Assistant City Manager, Bill Whisnant, Assistant City Manager Mike
Hargett; Town Manager of Wrightsville Beach, Tony Caudle, Town Manager of Carolina Beach,
Calvin Peck.
Chairman Caster called the Emergency Session to order and welcomed everyone present. He
stated due to the uncertain path of Hurricane Bonnie, the Director of Emergency Management, Dan
Summers, feels a State of Emergency should be declared in New Hanover County. He requested Mr.
Summers to present a brief update on the latest weather report.
Director Summers reported the Hurricane Center and Wilmington Weather Office are
concerned about the number of computer models predicting the track of Hurricane Bonnie. The
forward speed has increased and it is important for the community to be prepared. The eye of the
storm is projected to cross Pamlico Sound just north of Morehead City. This will produce winds of
50 to 60 miles per hour in New Hanover County. While the wind speed does not warrant evacuation,
the storm surge could reach six to eight feet depending upon high or low tide.
In order to protect the public and avoid having to evacuate after dark, the following actions
are recommended:
(1)Issue a voluntary evacuation for the beach communities and low lying areas beginning at
11:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 25, 1998.
(2)Issue a mandatory evacuation of the beach communities and low lying areas beginning at 5:00
p.m. until 11:00 p.m., August 25, 1998.
(3)Open the Media Center at 12:00 noon, August 25, 1998. The telephone number of 341-4304.
(4)Open evacuation shelters at Bellamy Elementary School and Noble Middle School at 5:00
p.m. on Tuesday, August 25, 1998, with no mass feeding this evening.
(5)A full day of school will be held on August 25, 1998, and schools will be closed on Thursday,
August 26, 1998.
(6)The Special Needs Coordination Center will be activated at 12:00 noon. All agencies have
been contacted.
(7)The rental contract for large generators will be activated. Currently, there are four to six
huge generators in route to New Hanover County. The generators will not be deployed to
shelters until needed.
(8)Declare a State of Emergency effective August 25, 1998, at 9:00 a.m.
Discussion was held on establishing a curfew. Sheriff Joe McQueen suggested waiting to
implement a curfew until immediately after the storm.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERSBOOK 26
EMERGENCY MEETING, AUGUST 25, 1998PAGE 655
HURRICANE BONNIE
Mayor Medlin and Mayor Rothrock spoke on the problems that could be experienced at the
Snow’s Cut Bridge when people are evacuating and returning to the beach, particularly since many
residents have not purchased the re-entry stickers being sold by both beach communities.
After further discussion, Sheriff McQueen offered to assist the beach communities with
deputies, and he recommended requesting the Highway Patrol to assist with re-entry to the beach
communities.
Chairman Caster requested a motion to declare a State of Emergency.
Motion:
Commissioner Birzenieks MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Howell to adopt a
proclamation declaring a State of Emergency in New Hanover County, and to issue a voluntary
evacuation to begin at 11:00 a.m. for the beach communities and adjacent low lying coastal areas,
and a mandatory evacuation to begin at 5:00 p.m. with completion by 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August
25, 1998. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
A copy of the proclamation is hereby incorporated as a part of the minutes and is contained
in Exhibit Book XXIV, Page 29.
After further discussion, Director Summers suggested meeting again at 4:00 p.m. for a status
report on Hurricane Bonnie.
Consensus:
It was the consensus of the Board to meet at 4:00 p.m. in Room 501 of the New
Hanover County Administration Building, 320 Chestnut Street, Wilmington, North Carolina.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion:
Vice-Chairman Greer MOVED, SECONDED by Commissioner Birzenieks to adjourn.
Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the Board