"THE VILLAGE OF BALD HEAD ISLAND IS STILL UNDER A STATE OF EMERGENCY WITH A MANDATORY EVACUATION IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. THIS INCLUDES CLOSURE OF BOTH DEEP POINT MARINA & BHI MARINA UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
BRUNSWICK COUNTY IS STILL IN A STATE OF EMERGENCY WITH A MANDATORY EVACUATION OF ALL UNINCORPORATED AREAS AND A DUSK TO DAWN CURFIEW.
THERE IS NO POWER, WATER, OR SEWER SERVICE ON THE ISLAND AND NO INDICATION OF WHEN EACH OF THESE MAY BE RESTORED.
THE USCG CAPTAIN OF THE PORT HAS NOT REOPENED THE CAPE FEAR RIVER FOR VESSEL TRAFFIC (COMMERCIAL OR PRIVATE), WITH THE EXCEPTION OF APPROVING BHI TRANSPORTATION FOR A FERRY RUN TO THE ISLAND TOMORROW IN SUPPORT OF THE VILLAGE GETTING UNDERWAY WITH HURRICANE RESPONSE & RECOVERY EFFORTS AS PART OF ITS PHASED RE-ENTRY PLAN.
MANY BRUNSWICK COUNTY ROADS REMAIN FLOODED AND IMPASSABLE TO INCLUDE MAJOR THOROUGHFARES OF HWY17, HWY87, NC133, NC211, and secondary roads.
WITH MINIMAL VILLAGE PERSONNEL AND THEIR ABILITY TO GET TO DEEP POINT MARINA FROM SURROUNDING AREAS OUTSIDE OF SOUTHPORT - THE VILLAGE WILL CONDUCT AN INITIAL "SAFETY SWEEP" OF THE ISLAND TOMORROW AS IT GETS UNDERWAY WITH RESPONSE & RECOVERY EFFORTS. PHASE ONE A OF THE VILLAGE'S RE-ENTRY PLAN INCLUDES ONLY EOC TEAM MEMBERS FROM THE VILLAGE.
ASSESSMENT OF THE ISLAND TOMORROW WILL DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT IT IS SAFE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH PHASE ONE B..., AND KNOW THAT IT COULD BE ANOTHER DAY OR TWO BEFORE MOVING INTO PHASE 2 (i.e. IMPROVED PROPERTIES).
As I indicated to Council late this evening I would like to pass it along to you...
Please know the importance of the Village's emphasis in following a strategic plan for re-entry and that it's in everyone's best interest to follow the process accordingly. If it is not handled in that manner it can and will get out of hand. All efforts, to include many requests received already for volunteers, equipment, labor etc., will need to be managed & coordinated from the Emergency Operations Center once we have it re-established on the island..., and this is part of our efforts in getting underway tomorrow!
Good Night!
Thanks,
Chris McCall
Village Manager"