Public Notices

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.

PENDER COUNTY – Pender County enacted a curfew today. The curfew hours are 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. until further notice.

“The curfew is county-wide,” said Tom Collins, Pender County Emergency manager. “It is important for our residents to stay off the roads.”

Due to high winds and rain from Hurricane Florence, many roads are blocked by fallen trees, downed power lines, and debris. Power in many areas has not been restored and may not be restored in several days. Many businesses in Pender Country remain closed.

“The only vehicles permitted on the roadways should be Pender EMS & Fire, law enforcement, and utility maintenance.

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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We are receiving inquiries regarding donations. Please send check or cash donations to Pender Christian Services at 210 West Fremont Street, PO Box 84, Burgaw, North Carolina 28425; the American Red Cross; or the Baptist Men of North Carolina.

The Gateway Church in Burgaw will be a distribution center, 416 W Bridgers St, Burgaw, NC 28425.

At this time, we are not accepting donations of clothing. We are assessing the needs of the community at this time. We will post needs here.

Pender County Emergency Management will post updates on the Facebook page at facebook.com/penderem and on the website at http://penderem.com.

PENDER COUNTY – Pender County has entered into a contract with Disaster Recovery Construction (DRC) and have arranged with NC Forestry Service to clear debris post Hurricane Florence.

Chairman George Brown and Commissioner David Williams met with county emergency personnel and county personnel to solidify a debris contract and plan of action.

“We are staging and mobilizing more than 50 push crews in the county and 40 push crews in Surf City and Topsail Beach to remove sand and debris,” said Tom Collins, Pender County Emergency Manager. “We are being proactive in post storm planning.”

“It is important for our residents to know we will have designated sites for post storm debris,” said Kenny Keel, Pender County Utilities. “We do not take vegetative debris at the convenience sites, only household garbage and other items as designated on the Pender County Solid Waste website.  It is important that any storm related debris be taken to the specific sites to be determined after the storm.”

“When it is time to clean up post storm, residents should use the designated debris sites,” said Collins. “We will alert citizens to the monitored sites.”

“Storm debris should be divided according to FEMA specifications following Hurricane Florence,” said Keel. “There are six categories – household garbage, construction debris, vegetation debris, household hazardous waste, “white” goods, and electronics.”

According to FEMA, following the correct way to sort debris to a curb will make for a speedier removal process. FEMA suggested limiting curbside garbage to two 32-gallon containers or eight trash bags; share piles with neighbors, and refrigerator and freezer doors must be secured with duct tape.

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 – In preparation for injuries and illnesses following Hurricane Florence, the Pender County EMS & Fire will set up two triage stations. The sites will be located at Burgaw, 601 S. Smith St., and in Hampstead at 15086 US Hwy 17, next door to the Hampstead Annex.

“Residents in Pender County can come to the triage centers post storm to treat injuries or illnesses,” said Everett Baysden, Pender EMS & Fire assistant chief. “If the injuries and illnesses require, we can transport patients to New Hanover Regional Medical Center in New Hanover.”

Residents in medical distress or injured can still call 911 and the patient will be triaged at the sites, said Baysden.

“We are setting up these medical triage posts for our injured or ill residents,” said Woodrow Sullivan, Pender EMS & Fire chief. “We are taking this action in response to the closing of New Hanover Regional Medical Center facilities in Pender County.”

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.

For more in depth information about these sites, please visit this page.

Pender Medical Triage Site Burgaw Location Click to Enlarge	Pender Medical Triage Site Hampstead Location Click to Enlarge

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PENDER COUNTY – Hurricane Florence forecasts call for a lot of rain, flooding, and hurricane force winds.

“At this point in the storm, if someone has large animals – horses, cattle, most livestock in general – owners need to move them to the highest elevation possible,” said Jewel Horton, manager of the Pender County Animal Shelter. “Confinement in a barn can lead to death due to drowning or structure collapse. Leaving in the largest open area possible is best so they can run from danger.  They are typically very instinctive and will lie down in high winds, and dodge debris. They can still be injured outside but typically it is non-life threatening.”

Horton said marking large animals with some sort of ID is recommended.

“Livestock paint markers/spray painting your phone number or longitude/latitude of your farm is extremely helpful. Microchips on tame livestock is wonderful as well,” Horton said.

Horton recommends that if an animal owner uses collars or halters on with tags, it is best to use breakaway style collars or halters in case the animal get hung up.

“Braiding ID or luggage tags into the animal’s mane or the tails of horses works great as well!” said Horton.

Provide plenty of access to clean water. Horton recommends have enough water for seven days in the event of power outages. Animal owners should also have enough food and hay in dry storage for seven days is recommended if the owner lacks a good pasture.

“Livestock abandoned may be inaccessible for a while with this storm,” said Horton.

If you must leave livestock, please email animalshelter@pendercountync.gov with the following information:

• Your name
• Address where animals were left
• Your contact info
• How many animals were left and types/description
• Any behavior info we should know (aggression issues)

“You will need proof of ownership to claim should your animals be found,” said Horton. “We recommend four color photos –  both sides, front and rear – any registration information and medical records from a veterinarian, to aid if finding or claiming large livestock.”

Horton said Pender County Animal Shelter can’t guarantee recovery of your animal in a flood or impact zone. However, knowledge of what animals are left behind before the storm allows shelter personnel to plan to assist.

Animals recovered by Pender County will be under the care of the Pender County Animal Shelter located at 3280 New Savannah Rd Burgaw, NC 28425.

For more information contact the email shelter at 910-259-1484 or email animalshelter@pendercountync.gov.

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