PENDER COUNTY: Flooding projections higher than predicted

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Tornado rips through Scotts Hill Market on Thursday morning

For Wednesday’s updates from Pender County, click here.

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11:30 a.m. update: Pender under curfew

Pender County has enacted a curfew effective Thursday from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. until further notice.

Rather than issuing the curfew in each community, Pender County Emergency Manager Tom Collins said they made the decision to put a curfew into effect county-wide because of bad road conditions.

According to a news release, high winds and rain from Hurricane Dorian, nighttime travel can be hazardous with fallen trees, downed power lines and debris.

“The only vehicles permitted on the roadways should be Pender EMS & Fire, law enforcement, and utility maintenance,” said Pender County Sheriff, Alan Cutler.

10 a.m. update: Pender launches texting Q&A for residents

Residents with non-emergency questions about the storm have multiple options to communicate with Pender County, including texting, calling and messaging on Facebook.

Thursday Pender spokesperson Tammy Proctor said Pender County residents can now text questions to emergency management officials at 910-620-9405, email them to PenderEOC@pendercountync.gov, or call emergency management with questions at 910-259-1210.

Additionally officials are urging residents to seek shelter ahead of Dorian’s landfall.

“We urge residents who reside in travel trailers, substandard housing, and in low-lying area to seek shelter,” said Emergency Management director Tom Collins. “Hurricane Dorian will spawn tornadoes and later we will face hurricane force winds. Seek shelter before we reach the height of the storm.”

Pender County Emergency Management will post updates on the Facebook page at facebook.com/penderem and on the county website, www.pendercountync.gov.

9:30 a.m. update: Tornado rips through Scotts Hill Market

A tornado reported by the National Weather Service in Wilmington tore through Scotts Hill Market, ripping off part of the building’s roof.

Owner Lisa Humphrey said her parents had evacuated Surf City and were staying at their sister business next door Fred’s Beds when they heard the tornado go through just before 7 a.m. at 11135 U.S. 17.

It blew out the front door of the market, which houses multiple stalls of antiques, furniture and gifts. In the back of the market, the tornado ripped off part of the roof, blowing insulation and metal siding across the property. Two trees on the property were uprooted.

No injuries were reported in the incident, but Humphrey said their nerves were rattled as they face a Category 3 storm ahead with a heavily damaged building.

8 a.m. update: Officials warn ‘it’s too late’ as outer bands reach Pender

Both coastal and inland parts of Pender County saw outer bands of Hurricane Dorian stretch across the area Thursday morning.

Tornado warnings remain in place until 8 a.m. for those in central Pender.

A National Weather Service bulletin stated a dangerous storm bands were moving with some rotations. These storm bands will reach Burgaw, White Stocking and Rocky Point between 7:40 and 8 a.m.

Pender County Emergency Management posted an update Thursday before 7 a.m. warning residents to stay inside, seek shelter and that the “worst is yet to come.”

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“As the day goes on the weather will deteriorate,” the post states. “If you are not ready it is not too late. If you or anyone you know needs shelter get to the shelter as soon as possible, before it gets too bad. Please do not go out during this storm. The worst is yet to come.”

7:30 a.m. update: Burgaw could see flooding Saturday

While water levels on the Northeast Cape Fear River were down this week ahead of Hurricane Dorian’s arrival, officials with the National Weather Service warned Burgaw could see flooding as early as Saturday.

As of 8:30 a.m. Wednesday the river stage was 2.7 feet — flooding stage is 10 feet. Moderate flooding is forecast and the Weather Service predicts the river could rise to flooding stage Saturday and to nearly 14.5 feet by Monday.

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At 14 feet in Burgaw, these floodwaters could cause portions of Shaw Highway to be closed between Carl Meeks Road and Lillington Lane. White Stocking Road will also be closed from Charley Road to Mack Williams Lane.

Flooding is likely to worsen on N.C. 210 and N.C. 53, but roads remain open.

6 a.m. update: Burgaw curfew tonight

Burgaw mayor Pete Cowan has declared a town-wide curfew beginning at 8 p.m., which will be in effect until further notice due to Hurricane Dorian’s expected arrival by this evening.

Town officials issued this declaration in order to effectively protect the lives and property of Burgaw residents.

5:30 a.m. update: County urges safety with generators

As many prepare generators for use during Hurricane Dorian, Pender County Emergency Management and Pender County EMS and Fire urge residents to use generators with caution.

“The major hazards when using a generator is carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from the toxic engine exhaust,” said Tom Collins, Pender County Emergency Manager.

Electrocution and fire are safety hazards, too.

“Don’t operate a generator indoors or inside a garage,” Collins said.

When operating a portable generator, keep it in an open, outside area, Collins added.

If a generator is installed incorrectly, power could flow into outside lines and cause injury or death, said Woody Sullivan, Chief Pender Fire and EMS.

To avoid electrocution, keep the generator dry and do not use in rain or wet conditions. Do not touch the generator with wet hands. Be sure to turn the generator off and let it cool down before refueling. Gasoline spilled on hot engine parts could ignite. Store fuel for the generator in an approved safety can. Use the type of fuel recommended in the instructions or on the label on the generator.