Several towns issue States of Emergency as Hurricane Matthew approaches

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A State of Emergency has been declared for all 100 counties in North Carolina. Several towns around the area have also issued States of Emergency as Hurricane Matthew approaches southeastern North Carolina.

New Hanover County has issued a voluntary evacuation for immediate beaches, low-lying and flood prone areas.

Brunswick County has issued voluntary evacuation for unincorporated and flood-prone areas.

Here’s a list of the towns that have issued them and some of the regulations that go with them:

Bald Head Island

• Voluntary evacuation
• All non-resident guests must leave island ASAP
• Last ferry leaving BHI at 12:30 Friday

Belville

• Voluntary evacuation for low-lying and flood prone areas

Boiling Spring Lakes

• Voluntary evacuation for following streets: Acacia, Bayside, Greenview, Wimberley, Cambridge, Berry Hill, Mirror Lake, Pinecrest, Greenbay, Myrtle Bay, Lumbee, Cherokee Drive, Mohawk, Sioux, Navaho, Tuscarora, Dartmouth, and Warmouth

Carolina Beach

• Mandatory evacuation for visitors, voluntary evacuations for residents in low-lying areas
• Anticipates closing bridge “Fairly early” on Saturday once winds hit 45mph(between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m.).  Curfew to coincide with bridge closure.

Calabash

• Voluntary evacuation

Caswell Beach

• A mandatory evacuation is in effect for all non-residents and visitors in the Town of Caswell Beach.
• A voluntary evacuation is recommended for residents residing in low-lying areas, or who may have concerns about the stability and safety of their structure or their ability to leave, if necessary, during the storm due to flooding, road closures and scattered debris.
• Public Beach Access Parking Lot and Lighthouse Parking Lot will be closed effective at:  Friday October 7^th at 9 a.m. and will remain closed until further notice.
• Price-gouging is expressly forbidden; and violators are subject to criminal prosecution.
• Further declarations under this State of Emergency will be dispatched as conditions warrant.

Holden Beach

• Mandatory evacuation for non-resident renters and visitors, must be off island by 11:59 p.m. Friday
• Bridge to close if winds are 45 m.p.h. or higher

Kure Beach

• Mandatory evacuation for visitors by 11.p.m
• Voluntary for homeowners/residents
• Curfew if power goes out/Snows Cut bridge closes

Leland

• Voluntary evacuation for residents

Oak Island

• Mandatory evacuation for all visitors
• Voluntary evacuation for residents(upgraded)

Ocean Isle Beach

• Evacuation.  Due to the current track and various models forecasted for Matthew all persons located within the Town of Ocean Isle Beach are hereby encouraged to voluntarily evacuate. During a State of Emergency all persons remaining on the island will be restricted to their private property due to the potential for injury from storm-related utilities and possible infrastructure damage.  The Town will maintain basic services (EMS, Fire, Police) to the extent reasonably possible during a hurricane, however, there is no guarantee that services will be provided at normal levels and thus individuals with known medical or other physical needs should leave the island upon notice of the declaration of a voluntary evacuation.
• In the event that the tract of Hurricane Matthew shifts or conditions intensify then a mandatory evacuation may be required.
• Bridge – The Odell Williamson Bridge will be closed to traffic should sustained wind speeds reach 50mph or greater.  Bridge would be reopened when conditions subside and passage is deemed safe by Chief of Police.
• Decals – No decals will be issued following a declared state of emergency.

North Topsail Beach

• Voluntary evacuation for the public effective at 3 p.m.

Shallotte

• Voluntary evacuation in low-lying areas

Southport

• Voluntary evacuation of low lying areas and waterfront property

Sunset Beach

• Mandatory evacuation for island visitors, Voluntary evacuation for residents on the island and low-lying or flood-prone areas on the mainland
• Per town officials: “If a mandatory evacuation of the island is issued(for residents), the sewer facility will be shut down. At that point, anyone remaining on the island will have limited capacity for water disposal for flushing toilets, showering, washing clothing or dishes, etc. The vacuum tank and sewer line for your home will fill up and back up into your home.”
• No plans to close bridge at this time

St. James

• Voluntary evacuation for Polly Gully Creek

Surf City

• Voluntary evacuation

Wilmington

Wrightsville Beach