Prepare for possibility of life-threatening flash-flooding

BOLIVIA, N.C. – The National Weather Service is warning residents that life-threatening flash flooding is possible due to conditions from Hurricane Matthew. Brunswick County is under a Flash Flood Watch through Sunday afternoon, as the area is expected to get significant rainfall and already-high water levels will affect drainage.

• Brunswick County issued a voluntary evacuation for unincorporated low-lying and flood-prone areas. Additionally:
• Bald Head Island has issued a voluntary evacuation, with a mandatory evacuation for non-island-residents. The last ferry leaving Bald Head Island will leave at 12:30 Friday.
• Caswell Beach has issued a voluntary evacuation, with a mandatory evacuation for non-residents and visitors.
• Oak Island has issued a voluntary evacuation for low-lying areas, and a mandatory evacuation for visitors.
• Holden Beach has issued a voluntary evacuation.
• Ocean Isle Beach has issued a voluntary evacuation.
• Sunset Beach has issued a voluntary evacuation.
• Boiling Spring Lakes has issued a voluntary evacuation for the streets north of Fifty Lakes Drive in the Mirror Lake area (for more information, visit http://www.cityofbsl.org/home.aspx).
• Calabash has issued a voluntary evacuation for low-lying and flood-prone areas.
• Carolina Shores has issued a voluntary evacuation for low-lying and flood-prone areas.
• Shallotte has issued a voluntary evacuation for low-lying areas.
• Southport has issued a voluntary evacuation for low-lying areas and waterfront property.
• St. James has issued a voluntary evacuation for areas south of Polly Gully Creek.

Those evacuating are encouraged to do so now, before road conditions worsen. If you need to evacuate and do not have transportation to the shelter, call 910-253-5383.

Shelters opened Friday morning at West Brunswick High School (550 Whiteville Rd., Shallotte), North Brunswick High School (114 Scorpion Drive, Leland) and South Brunswick High School (100 Cougar Road, Boiling Spring Lakes). Residents evacuating to a shelter should bring identification, any needed medications, any needed items like glasses or diapers, clothing for 3-7 days, pillows, toiletries, chargers for cell phones, and books, games or cards. Residents should bring sheets or bedding, and cots and air mattresses if available. Alcohol, illegal substances, and weapons are not permitted.

Those evacuating can find a map of shelters in Brunswick County at www.brunswickcountync.gov/map, or find a map of all open shelters in North Carolina in the free Ready NC app (downloadable at https://readync.org/EN/DOWNLOADAPP.html).

Dogs and cats are accepted at the West Brunswick High School shelter, but not the North Brunswick High School or South Brunswick High School shelters. Owners must stay at the shelter as well, and should bring documentation of rabies vaccines, food, any medicines, and any other items necessary for your pets. Residents who are evacuating may also take pets to the Brunswick County Animal Shelter. Animals must be reclaimed within three days of the State of Emergency being lifted.