This is a developing story and will be updated as needed.
Local, state and federal officials continued their message to be alert as Tropical Storm Debby slowly moved up the coast Thursday, soaking the region with heavy rain.
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Throughout the day Thursday, the threat of tornadoes, flash flooding, severe thunderstorms, and excessive rainfall continued across much of the state.
Forecasters with the National Weather Service Newport-Morehead City office said Thursday that Debby made landfall near Bulls Bay in South Carolina early that morning and that it would slowly move toward and through central North Carolina while weakening through the night.
“Primary concern through the day remains the threats of flash flooding and tornadoes,” officials said Thursday.
Gov. Roy Cooper visited the North Carolina Emergency Management Regional Coordination Center East and the North Carolina National Guard Armory in Kinston on Thursday. He was joined by North Carolina Emergency Management Director Will Ray and Federal Emergency Management Agency Federal Coordinating Officer Rod McAllister.
“Tropical Storm Debby continues to bring dangerous rain and flooding to many areas of our state,” Cooper said in a statement. “I’m grateful for the work of first responders and urge people to take precautions against this storm and listen to guidance from state and local Emergency Management officials.”
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There was a fatality in the state associated with Tropical Storm Debby and an apparent tornado late Wednesday in Lucama that damaged several homes and a middle school, Cooper’s office said.
As of Thursday, there were 13 storm shelters open in Cumberland, Columbus, Bladen, and Pender counties, 28 county states of emergency declared, and voluntary evacuation orders had been issued for parts of Brunswick and Moore counties.
Cooper signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency Monday and President Biden issued a federal state of emergency for North Carolina on Tuesday.
FEMA said Thursday morning that it had more than 900 staff and federal partners deployed to North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Georgia.
Search and rescue teams and swift-water rescue assets were ready to assist as needed, the agency said. FEMA’s Southeast and Mid-Atlantic distribution centers were stocked and ready to provide commodities throughout the region as needed.
Closures, shelters
Brunswick County closed Thursday all government offices and government-run services with plans to reopen Friday.
North Carolina Maritime Museums in Southport, Beaufort and Hatteras were closed Thursday.
Moores Creek National Battlefield will be closed through the weekend because of flooding caused by Tropical Storm Debby.
The Brunswick County shelter at Town Creek Middle School in Winnabow closed at 3 p.m. today.
To find an open shelter near you, text the word SHELTER and your ZIP code to 43362. And for Spanish speakers, text REFUGIO and your ZIP code to 43362.
Public health
In addition to being aware of threats associated with a tropical storm, North Carolina Division of Public Health officials have issued heat-health alerts for New Hanover and Pender counties for Friday through Monday. The expected maximum heat index for Saturday is around 106 degrees for both counties. Maximum heat index is what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with air temperature, according to weather.gov.
“Heat of this magnitude can be dangerous to your health, particularly for people who are more exposed to extreme heat or more sensitive to extreme heat,” officials said, including those without access to air conditioning, living with disabilities or underlying health conditions, people who work or exercise outdoors or live alone, older adults and pregnant women.
Brunswick County Public Utilities has reported two discharges of wastewater on Wednesday, the ramification for which were exacerbated by the current weather conditions.
Officials announced Wednesday that a believed 300 to 500 gallons of partially treated wastewater were released to an onsite stormwater pond at the West Brunswick Regional Water Reclamation Facility in Supply. Due to recent rain and storm events, the stormwater pond has been discharging through the emergency overflow, which drains to a tributary of the Lockwood Folly River. Sampling and remediation of the affected site are ongoing.
The county reported Thursday that around 3,000 gallons of untreated wastewater were released to a tributary of the Calabash River at the Sea Trail Wastewater Treatment Facility Wednesday evening.
“This release occurred due to exponential rains and corresponding influent flows associated with Tropical Storm Debby which overwhelmed the treatment facility’s influent pump station’s storage capacity,” they said.
Safety measures
FEMA officials encourage residents to take the following actions for their safety:
Turn around! Don’t Drown! and be aware of flood risks. Do not walk, swim or drive through flood water as it may be contaminated and contain dangerous debris, and underground or downed power lines can electrically charge the water. Just six inches of moving water can knock a person down and 1 foot of moving water can sweep a vehicle away. Stay off bridges over fast-moving water and never drive around barricades. Local responders use them to safely direct traffic out of flooded areas.
Be ready to evacuate. Excessive rainfall may cause waters to rise rapidly, so you may need to evacuate with little notice. Residents and visitors should pay attention to local officials and heed any guidance, warnings or instructions as risk of flooding continues over the coming days.
Use generators safely. Always use them outdoors and at least 20 feet from windows, doors and attached garages. Make sure to keep the generator dry and protected from rain or flooding.
Flooding can affect power systems, as utility companies may shut down portion of the electrical grid. If the power goes out, use only flashlights or battery-powered lanterns for emergency lighting. Never use candles during a blackout or power outage due to extreme risk of fire.
Stay away from power and communications lines. Communication lines carry vital messages including 911 and emergency services and provide access to the internet. Call your utility providers directly to report down or cut lines and stay clear of the area.
Stay off the roads. This will help first responders and utility companies get help to those who need it most. If you evacuated, do not return home until local officials say it is safe to do so.
Document any property damage. If you’re able to safely do so, take photos and contact your insurance company right away for assistance and next steps.
Use caution when cleaning up. Wear protective clothing, including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, work gloves and sturdy thick-soled shoes. Do not try to remove heavy debris by yourself. Use an appropriate mask if cleaning mold or other debris. People with asthma and other lung conditions and/or immune suppression should not enter buildings with indoor water leaks or mold growth that can be seen or smelled. Children should not take part in disaster cleanup work.
