Public Notices

RALEIGH — The Division of Employment Security (DES) has announced that the following counties have been approved for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) due to the effects of Hurricane Florence: Beaufort, Brunswick, Carteret, Craven, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico and Pender. Additional counties may be added to the DUA availability designation at a later date.
Individuals from these counties who are affected by the disaster, and are unable to continue working, must file an application for benefits within 30 days from today – or, by October 17, 2018.
Workers who became unemployed as a direct result of the effects of Hurricane Florence impacting North Carolina, may be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits under the DUA program. Business owners affected by the storm may also qualify for benefits.
Workers or business owners meeting the following criteria may be eligible for benefits:

• Individuals who are unemployed due to the disaster, and do not qualify for regular unemployment insurance benefits.
• Self-employed individuals and small business owners who lost income due to the disaster.
• Individuals who were prevented from working due to an injury caused by the disaster.
• Individuals who have become the major supplier of household income due to the disaster-related death or injury of the previous major supplier of household income.
• Individuals who are unable to reach their jobs or self-employment locations, because they must travel through the affected area and are prevented from doing so by the disaster.
• Individuals who were to commence employment or self-employment, but were prevented from doing so by the disaster.

DUA is funded entirely by the federal government. Individuals need to file first for regular unemployment insurance. If an individual is determined ineligible for regular unemployment insurance, or has exhausted their regular unemployment insurance benefits, a DUA claim can then be filed. Individuals will need their Social Security number, copies of their most recent federal income tax forms or check stubs, or documentation to support they were working or self-employed when the disaster occurred. To receive DUA benefits, all required documentation must be submitted within 21 days from the day the DUA application is filed.

DUA is available for weeks of employment beginning with the week starting September 9, 2018, and may last for up to 26 weeks, as long as the claimant’s unemployment continues to be as a result of Hurricane Florence.
Individuals may contact DES by calling 1-866-795-8877 from 8AM to 5PM to apply for DUA benefits. If you have additional questions, you may email DES at des.dua@nccommerce.com or go to our website at des.nc.gov.
For an updated list of counties that have been approved, please visit the News and Highlights section at des.nc.gov.

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PENDER COUNTY – All citizens are advised to report emergencies and rescue needs directly to Pender County by calling 911.

County and state resources are only dispatched through Pender County Emergency Operations.  Residents need to call 911 to execute a valid and official mission.

There may be individuals or groups offering you help; however, they may not be trained professionals in Swift Water Response.  Rescues attempted by those who are not properly trained are a danger to you and themselves!

If you are not part of official Pender County Operations, you need to cease operations and leave the county.  All missions will be executed by Pender County and authorized resources.

If you have an emergency or need any water rescue, please call 911. Information on your location and circumstances will be evaluated to determine the appropriate response.

Facebook and other social media outlets are being utilized to push information out and facilitate general conversation; however, do not use social media or Facebook to report an emergency or request rescue.  Call 911 to insure a timely response.

Pender County Emergency Management will post updates on the Facebook page at facebook.com/penderem and on the website http://www.penderem.com.  For further information or assistance, call the Pender County Emergency Operations Center at 910-259-1210.

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Please only call with emergency needs and directions to shelters only. We are only concerned with safety of lives right now.

Road closures can be viewed at https://tims.ncdot.gov/tims/, but we encourage people to stay put if possible.

PENDER COUNTY – As we approach daybreak, helicopter rescue missions will begin being executed. All citizens who are in a flooded area or a potentially flooded area should be on alert for helicopters.

Watch and listen for helicopters. Upon observation of the helicopter, go outdoors and signal for your rescue using a towel, flashlight, flare or whatever you have available. Please get to highest ground to wave for assistance. Please use a visible towel or shirt as they are surveying the areas to be located from the air.

BURGAW – Pender County Department of Health and Human Services and Red Cross will open Burgaw Elementary to receive residents impacted by Hurricane Florence.

“We are moving residents of the Burgaw Middle School shelter into Burgaw Elementary, 400 N Wright St.,” said Carolyn Moser, Pender County Health director. “Burgaw Middle will continue to house pets.”

Malpass Elementary and Cape Fear Middle School are also accepting pets.

“Anyone who signs into the Burgaw Elementary School shelter should take their crated pet to Burgaw Middle School,” said Moser. “Owners should bring pet food, water, and any pet meds.”

Residents going to shelters need to take bedding, toiletries, medications, snacks and children’s items,” said Moser.

The Pender County shelters are located at Topsail Elementary, 17385 US Hwy 17; Cape Fear Middle School, 1886 NC Hwy 133; Malpass Corners Elementary, 4992 Malpass Corner Rd.; and the pet shelter at Burgaw Middle School, 500 S. Wright St.

“This remains a serious storm,” said Tom Collins, Pender County Emergency manager. “The NE Cape Fear River will reach Hurricane Floyd-like levels and the Black River will reach Hurricane Matthew levels. We are under a mandatory evacuation for those areas along and near the rivers, creeks and streams.”

Pender County Emergency Management will post updates on the Facebook page at facebook.com/penderem and on the website http://www.penderem.com. If you need assistance call the EM office at 910- 259-1210.

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Pender County Emergency Management has released their situation reports for Hurricane Florence. Please see the most current report as of September 16th here.

BURGAW – Pender County Utilities (PCU) urges water consumers to conserve water or the utility will have to end service.

“We are in critical need of fuel to keep our water treatment plant up and running,” said Kenny Keel, Pender County Utilities director.

Water conservation is critical due to inaccessibility of some of our facilities to replenish fuel supplies to our generators.  Widespread flooding is preventing us from accessing critical pumping stations that deliver water to our tanks in Hampstead and Topsail mainland areas.

“It is important PCU customers conserve water,” said Keel. “We don’t want to shut off our service, but the lack of fuel could force us to interrupt service.”

“We are in critical need of diesel fuel to keep our water facility on NC 210 pumping water to the Hampstead area,” said Randell Woodruff, county manager. “We are exploring every avenue to find a fuel source and access to the facility. However, if we do not get the needed fuel within the next 48-hours, we will not be able to continue water service for public health and safety such as fire suppression and other life-sustaining activities. Also, our customers will be without drinking water.”

We will provide updates as they are available.

“Thank you for your cooperation with this most important public health and safety matter,” said Keel. “The lack of water would hamper fire suppression and other public services.

Pender County Emergency Management will post updates on the Facebook page at facebook.com/penderem and on the website http://www.penderem.com. If you need assistance call the EM office at 910- 259-1210.

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PENDER COUNTY –Chairman George Brown of the Pender County Board of Commissioners announced effective Sept. 15, 4 p.m a mandatory evacuation for residents along and near the Black River, the Northeast Cape Fear River, and creeks and streams.

“If you had flooding along the Northeast Cape Fear River during Hurricane Floyd, you need to evacuate now,” said Tom Collins, Pender County Emergency manager. “If you had flooding during Hurricane Matthew, you need to evacuate.”

According the National Weather Service, the remnants of Hurricane Florence will produce as much as 24-inches of rainfall.

“Hurricane Floyd dropped 22 inches of rain and resulted in record flooding in Pender County,” said Collins.

Red Cross and Pender County Health and Human Services is currently operating four shelters. The Pender County shelters are located at Topsail Elementary, Cape Fear Middle School, Malpass Corners Elementary, and Burgaw Middle School.

The Burgaw Middle School pet-friendly shelter is located at 500 S Wright St, Burgaw. Topsail Elementary is located at US Hwy 17, Hampstead; Cape Fear Middle School is located at1886 NC Highway 133, Rocky Point; Malpass Corners Elementary at 4992 Malpass Corner Rd., Burgaw.

Pender County Emergency Management will post updates on the Facebook page at facebook.com/penderem and on the website http://www.penderem.com. If you need assistance call the EM office at 910- 259-1210.

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Please click here or see the information below to find out more information about ADA service animal guidelines.

Service animals are not turned away from any Pender County shelter; Pets/animal companions must go to the pet friendly Burgaw Middle School shelter.