Oak Island to host annual hurricane conference ahead of storm season

OAK ISLAND, NC (WWAY) — The Town of Oak Island is set to host its annual Hurricane Conference Thursday evening, bringing together emergency officials, weather experts and community resources as hurricane season approaches.

The 2026 Hurricane Conference will be held at Oak Island Town Hall, located at 4601 E. Oak Island Drive. Doors will open at 5 p.m. for what town officials say will be the largest resource fair in the event’s history, with presentations beginning at 6 p.m.

This year’s event will feature public service organizations and vendors focused on storm preparedness and resilience. The first 30 attendees will receive a free branded tote bag designed to help residents build and organize emergency ready kits.

The conference, coordinated by the Oak Island Police Department, will include a panel discussion featuring town first responders and infrastructure departments.

A forecast presentation from the National Weather Service is also scheduled as part of the event. WWAY Chief Meteorologist Lee Haywood will also be in attendance.

Town officials say the annual event serves as a reminder that “preparedness is better than panic” as coastal communities prepare for the start of hurricane season.