Public Notices

PENDER COUNTY –The Pender County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is fully activated, effected 7 p.m. on Sept. 11.

“This is a serious storm,” said Tom Collins, Pender County Emergency Manager. “The EOC is operating with full staffing 24/7.”

Staff, which includes Pender County EMS & Fire, Pender County Sheriff’s Department, the State Highway Patrol, and Pender County government’s departments is working 12 hours shifts.

Pender County residents can contact the Pender County EOC with questions regarding Hurricane Florence.

Shelters are open at Topsail Elementary, Cape Fear Elementary-Middle School, Malpass Corners Elementary. Burgaw Middle School is a pet-friendly shelter.

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 –New Hanover Medical Center is closing the ER in Scotts Hill and Pender Memorial.

Here is the notice they have posted:

With Hurricane Florence approaching our region, we are taking the following steps to help ensure the safety of our community, patients and staff:

Our facilities at Pender Memorial Hospital in Burgaw; the NHRMC Orthopedic Hospital in Wilmington; and NHRMC Emergency Department – North in Scotts Hill will close at 12 p.m. (noon) on Wednesday, September 12.

NHRMC will be closing all non-emergency entrances at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 12, in anticipation of Hurricane Florence.

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. 11, 5 p.m.. for low-lying, flood prone areas of the county, including the along the Intracoastal Waterway, the Northeast Cape Fear River, the Black River, and who live in manufactured or substandard housing.

“This is a serious storm the likes of which we haven’t seen in this region for more than several decades,” said Tom Collins, Pender County Emergency Manager. “This is a storm to not take lightly.”

“Two shelters will open Wednesday morning to accommodate any resident in a low-lying, flood prone area or who lives in a manufactured or mobile home,” said George Brown, chairman of the Pender County Board of Commissioners. “The pet-friendly shelter in Burgaw Middle School will open at 4 p.m. The Topsail Elementary shelter will open this evening at 7 p.m.”

The Pender County shelters are located at Topsail Elementary, Cape Fear Middle School, Malpass Corners Elementary, and Burgaw Middle School.

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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BURGAW-  Pender County offices and courts will close Wednesday, Sept. 12 through Friday, Sept. 14 due to Hurricane Florence.

All essential personnel should report to their duties.

The Pender County Emergency Management operations center continues to monitor Hurricane Florence, which may make landfall as a Category 4 storm.

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PENDER COUNTY –Chairman George Brown of the Pender County Board of Commissioners announced a voluntary evacuation is in effect, starting Sept. 12, 8 a.m. for low-lying, flood prone areas of the county, including the along the Intracoastal Waterway, the Northeast Cape Fear River, the Black River, and who live in manufactured or substandard housing.

“This is a serious storm the likes of which we haven’t seen in this region for more than several decades,” said Tom Collins, Pender County Emergency Manager. “This is a storm to not take lightly.”

“Three shelters will open Wednesday morning to accommodate any resident in a low-lying, flood prone area or who lives in a manufactured or mobile home,” said George Brown, chairman of the Pender County Board of Commissioners. “The pet-friendly shelter in Burgaw Middle School will open at 4 p.m.”

The Pender County shelters are located at Topsail Elementary, Cape Fear Middle School, Malpass Corners Elementary, and Burgaw Middle School.

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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All Pender County Solid Waste Convenience Center locations and the Hampstead Transfer Station will be closing on Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at Noon, and remain closed through Sunday, September, 16th. Further schedule changes will be evaluated based on local conditions. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during the Hurricane Florence storm event.

Hurricane Florence continues to approach the Southeast coast as a major category 4 hurricane. While the exact track of Florence remains uncertain, the likelihood of of life-threatening storm surge inundation, damaging winds and excessive rainfall across southeast North Carolina continues to increase. Life-threatening conditions will also continue in the surf zone on area beaches. The worst conditions are expected Thursday into Friday. Continue to watch the local weather and news, follow Pender EM on social media and media outlets.

PENDER COUNTY – Many Pender County residents are preparing generators for use during Hurricane Florence. Pender County Emergency Management and Pender County EMS and Fire urge residents to use generators with caution.

“The major hazards when using a generator is carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from the toxic engine exhaust,” said Tom Collins, Pender County Emergency Manager.

Electrocution and fire are safety hazards too, said Collins. “Don’t operate a generator indoors or inside a garage.”

When operating a portable generator, keep it in an open, outside area, instructed Collins.

“Do not connect the generator directly to your main electrical panel,” Collins said.

If a generator is installed incorrectly, power could flow into outside lines and cause injury or death to your family, neighbors and utility crews working in the area, Collins said.

To avoid electrocution, keep the generator dry and do not use in rain or wet conditions. Operate it on a dry surface under an open canopy-like structure, such as under a tarp held up on poles. Do not touch the generator with wet hands.

Be sure to turn the generator off and let it cool down before refueling. Gasoline spilled on hot engine parts could ignite.

Store fuel for the generator in an approved safety can. Use the type of fuel recommended in the instructions or on the label on the generator.

Following Hurricane Florence, Pender County could be left without electric. Residents using generators should use caution.

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 – The Pender County Office of Emergency Management (EOC) announced four shelters will open in preparation for Hurricane Florence.

Burgaw Middle School will open Tuesday, Sept. 11, at 4 p.m.

Cape Fear Middle School, Malpass Corners Elementary, and Topsail Elementary will open Wednesday, Sept.12, at 8 a.m.

“We are working with Pender County Emergency crews, Pender County Health Department, and the American Red Cross to open four shelters during Hurricane Florence,” said Tom Collins, Pender County Emergency Manager.

“Burgaw Middle School is the pet-friendly shelter,” said Collins.

Residents who bring their pets will need to stay in the Burgaw Middle School shelter. Pet owners are required to present rabies vaccination records. A limited supply of vaccinations will be available at a cost of $5 per pet. Residents need to bring pet food and water.

Here’s a suggested list of items to bring to a shelter checklist:

1. Clothing for 3-7 days
2. Pillows
3. Blankets or sleeping bags
4. Food and medication for service animal
5. Daily toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, soap, washcloth, feminine hygiene products)
6. Special dietary foods, infant formula
7. Identification for each family member
8. 7-day supply of medicine in the original bottles if possible
9. Cell phone with charger
10. Books, games and cards
11. Family/friend/caretaker’s emergency contact information
12. Written list of all medications with doctors’ names and phone numbers
13. Glasses, dentures, hearing aids
14. Medical equipment used on a daily basis (wheelchair, walker, cane, oxygen, catheters, etc.)
15. Extra batteries needed for any medical equipment
16. Adult diapers or children’s diapers and wipes.

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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