Brunswick County issues evacuations; shelters to open inland

BOLIVIA, NC (WWAY) — Brunswick County has issued a mandatory evacuation for residents who live in low-lying and flood-prone areas or substandard or mobile homes.

This will begin early Tuesday. According to a news release, this includes but is not limited to Waccamaw, 904/Pireway Road, areas on Town Creek, residents along NC 133, Daw’s Creek area, and any other flood-prone areas.

Brunswick County has issued a voluntary evacuation for all other residents in unincorporated areas of Brunswick County.

Brunswick County has also declared a State of Emergency, effective at noon Monday. County offices will be closed as of 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Shelters will be opening outside of Brunswick County in inland counties (shelter information will be available online at https://readync.org). According to the county, residents are strongly advised to seek shelter outside of Brunswick County, evacuating to Johnston or Cumberland Counties, due to forecasts for wind and storm surge.

“I highly encourage people to move out of the County,” said Emergency Management Director Brian Watts, adding that the County is likely to see high levels of storm surge and flooding as well as wind speeds. “The best thing to do is to get out the County.”

Residents seeking to evacuate out of Brunswick County who do not have transportation should contact the Citizen Phone Bank at (910) 253-5383.

In the event residents are unable to leave the county, one shelter will be opening Tuesday at 2 p.m. at:

• West Brunswick High School (550 Whiteville Rd., Shallotte)

Two additional shelters will be opening Wednesday at 8 a.m. at:

• North Brunswick High School (114 Scorpion Drive, Leland)
• South Brunswick High School (100 Cougar Road, Boiling Spring Lakes)

Residents evacuating to a shelter should bring identification, any needed medications, any needed items like glasses or diapers, clothing for 3-7 days, pillows, toiletries, chargers for cell phones, and books, games or cards. Residents should bring sheets or bedding, and cots and air mattresses if available. Alcohol, illegal substances, and weapons are not permitted.

Those evacuating can find evacuation routes and shelter locations at readync.org or in the free Ready NC app (downloadable at https://readync.org/EN/DOWNLOADAPP.html).

Dogs and cats are accepted at the West Brunswick High School shelter. Owners must stay at the shelter as well, and should bring documentation of rabies vaccines, food, any medicines, and any other items necessary for your pets.