Pender County Declares State of Emergency, prepares shelters
PENDER COUNTY – With Hurricane Dorian approaching the East Coast, Pender County authorities declared a state of emergency effective Monday, Sept. 3, at 8 a.m.
“We are tracking Hurricane Dorian,” said Tom Collins, Pender County Emergency Manager. “The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is partially activated now and will be fully activated starting Sept. 4.”
George Brown, chairman of the Pender County Board of Commissioners, signed a Pender County State of Emergency.
Preparations are being made by Pender County Emergency Management, Pender County Health and Human Services, with the cooperation of the American Red Cross, Pender County Schools, and the Pender County Sheriff’s Department, three shelters will be activated – Malpass Corner Elementary, Topsail Elementary School, and Cape Fear Middle School.
“Cape Fear Middle School is a pet-friendly shelter,” said Carolyn Moser, Pender County Health and Human Services director. “All shelters will open Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 2 p.m.”
Residents on the specials needs registry should contact the EOC at 910-259-1210.
“All Pender County government departments will supply personnel to work in shelters, report damage assessments, answer emergency telephones, and a myriad of other tasks,” said George Brown, Chairman of the Pender County Board of Commissioners. “We urge residents to prepare for this storm with supplies to sustain for several days. We urge residents to seek safe shelter – especially our residents in substandard housing or travel trailers.”
Pender County Emergency Management will post updates on the Facebook page at facebook.com/penderem and on the website http://www.penderem.com. If you need assistance call the EM office at 910- 259-1210.
