New Hanover Government Center evacuated after emergency alert activated
NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Employees at New Hanover County Government Center were allowed to return to work around 12:40 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, about three hours after the building was evacuated after the county’s Emergency Alert System was activated.
County Spokeswoman Jessica Loeper says she is not sure what the emergency alert said, but confirmed there is not an active shooter, but they treated this as a real threat.
Loeper says the emergency alert system can be triggered by an employee’s phone. When the alert is activated, lights come on in the building and the alert is sent to all employees’ phones.
Loeper says the alert system was activated around 9:45 a.m.
Law enforcement agencies responded and swept the building.
Government Center Drive is closed, as is part of Racine Drive.
Loeper confirms this was not a planned drill, but all the employees are safe.
The county is investigating to determine how this started.
