Hurricane Season is here, and the town of Wrightsville Beach has issued hurricane preparedness action items residents should take now before a storm threatens the coast:
Hurricane Preparedness
Everyone should have a personal disaster preparedness kit. This kit should include water and non-perishable food for 3 to 7 days, blankets or sleeping bag, prescription medicines, first aid kit, personal hygiene items, flashlight, battery-powered radio, spare batteries, appropriate clothing, basic hand tools, important documents and cash. Add special items for babies, the elderly, and pets.
Anyone with interests in Wrightsville Beach (residents and property owners, visitors, business owners, etc.) should have a personal evacuation plan. All areas of Wrightsville Beach are prone to hurricane storm surge flooding.
Storm surge flooding claims more lives than any other hurricane hazard. In addition, residents and property owners should have a current vehicle tax decal that serves as a means of identification for re-entry following a mandatory hurricane evacuation. Purchase Town vehicle tax decals prior to hurricane season from the Lanier Parking Office (910-256-5453). Since Town staff must also prepare to evacuate, Town tax decal sales are suspended when a Hurricane Warning (hurricane conditions expected within 36 hours) is posted.
Monitor weather forecasts and understand hurricane forecasting terminology. Know where to go if it is necessary to evacuate. Staying with family or friends is the best option since hotels fill up quickly. Fuel all vehicles if a storm threatens. Leave early and don’t travel further than necessary to reach safe shelter. Remember to plan for your pets. Designate a family member or friend outside of the disaster area to act as an emergency contact.
Have a plan for protecting your home or business. Use plywood or storm shutters to protect windows and doors from flying debris. If windows or doors fail, pressure increases inside the structure and the likelihood of roof failure increases. Prepare plywood or shutters before a hurricane threatens. To minimize the risk of fire, turn off LP gas and electricity prior to evacuating. Turn off water to docks and piers to prevent losing water through damaged piping.
During a hurricane event, Town of Wrightsville Beach officials will continue to monitor the weather situation and provide updated information as it becomes available via email notices, the Town’s website www.TownOfWrightsvilleBeach.com, and the Town’s Facebook page.
Businesses, Marinas, Boat Owners, Contractors, Property Managers, and Caretakers
Hurricane re-entry passes are issued by the Wrightsville Beach Police Department and are available for pick up starting April 1st of each year. Passes may be obtained at the front desk of the Police Department, Monday – Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding holidays. Applicants must bring a valid driver’s license or ID card, and proof of relationship to the business, marina, or property in which you are associated. Passes should be retained for the duration of the season. For additional details, please call the Wrightsville Beach Police Department at 256-7945.
New Hanover County ALERT 911
This community notification system sends a recorded phone message which describes the emergency situation and recommends protective actions that residents and businesses should take. The telephone number database contains only local commercially listed telephone numbers. Therefore, cell phone numbers must be manually added to the system. If you would like to register your cell phone number for this helpful service, please click on New Hanover Alert 911 and follow the steps to register your cell phone number. And, add New Hanover County’s emergency information page to your internet favorites for reference during an emergency situation: http://emergency.nhcgov.com.
New Hanover County Special Needs Registry
The New Hanover County Special Needs Registry is a voluntary registry of individuals who would require assistance in the event of an emergency. For more information: https://emergency.nhcgov.com/preparedness/special-needs-registry/
