Wednesday, August 31, 12:00pm

After reports from the Emergency Operations Team, there is little to no damage from the effects of Idalia. The following reports have come in:

Incident Commander:

• Very few calls into the EOC during the storm.
• The EMS crew had 12 medical emergency calls since the opening of the EOC.
• The Fire crew had 5 emergency calls during the opening of the EOC.
  • 1 residential structure fire.
  • 1 vehicle with 2 occupants trapped in floodwater
• The EOC was partially open, and manned by me, Chief Coring, and City Manager Therrien.
• Communication was established with Tom Stanley, for Public Work Needs.
• Went through 4 tornado warnings, during the storm.
• Kept a constant check on electric outages during the storm on the BEMC website.

Police:

• Officers checked the city overnight and this morning.
•  No issues to report.
• The road due to flooding East Leonard Street between Jabbertown & Firefly @ 0130, has since been reopened.
• The stoplight at Moore & Howe has been flashing, this was reported to DOT.

Communications/Tourism:

• The director completed an interior review of Ft Johnston, the Community Building, and the Indian Trail Meeting Hall.

Public Works:

• Erosion on 200 block of Bay Street – Minimal.
• Sidewalk on 200 Block of Bay Street – Repairs will be needed, but very minimal.
• Minimal debris on roads.

Parks & Recreation:

• Minimal Damages to all parks – Leaf & Debris.
• All Buildings appear fine.

I & Chief Coring participated in the Brunswick County Conference Call at 10 a.m. this morning. No needs or resources were requested. I made a report to the county on our damage assessment. The Southport EOC will close at 12 noon today, and we will resume normal operations. I would like to meet with all department heads for a debriefing on the entirety of the storm at 0830 hours, Friday, September 01, 2023, in the EOC. During this time, we can discuss our strengths and weaknesses, and any improvements we need for future storm-related incidents.

I would like to personally thank City Manager Therrien, She is the first city manager that I have worked with since being fire chief and has stayed the entire time with us in the EOC! Also, Chief Coring and Director Tom Stanley and their employees have done a great job during this storm. Public Works and the Police Department were here and responsive during the whole storm! Lastly, the fire and EMS crews were such an asset to the whole operation. They have answered calls, cooked, and fed personnel, and kept the station neat and clean. The City of Southport has a great team of employees! Thank you to everyone who helped, assisted, worked, or supported staff during this event.

Respectfully,

Chief Charles A. Drew
Fire Chief/Incident Commander
City of Southport

Tuesday, August 30, 8:30pm

Tropical Storm Idalia will move up the Carolina coast tonight into Thursday. The main impact will be heavy rain and localized flooding. Isolated tornadoes are also expected, mainly along the coast. A Tornado watch has been issued for Southport and nearby local areas until 4:00 a.m.

Tropical storm-force winds may cause downed trees and power outages. The highest chance of wind-related impacts will be along the coast. Minor storm surge is also possible primarily around high tides this evening and Thursday. Gusty winds will continue as Idalia exits the area. Downed trees and power lines are possible due to the winds and saturated soils on Thursday.

Tuesday, August 30, 2:10pm

The City of Southport Emergency Operations Team met this morning at 0930 in the EOC.  The following is a summary of the meeting:

• Incident Commander:
  • Weather Update and Briefing held.
  • Fire/EMS crews are all on standby.
  • Supplies/Food for storm preparations are complete.
  • Essential employee list was completed by City Manager yesterday.
  • All our partners have been contacted and established lines of communication with, BEMC, Dosher Hospital, Southport Rehab, Terra Bella, Brunswick County Emergency Management, & NC Emergency Management.
  • WEB EOC is up and running.
• City Manager:
  • Closing City Hall at 12 noon today, re-open 12 noon tomorrow.
  • Make sure all vehicles are fueled.
  • With the partial EOC opening, will only need Fire, Police, City Manager, and Public Works Director.
  • Any trash collection for Thursday, will be picked up on Saturday.
• Police:
  • High Clearance Vehicle is ready and in place.
  • Staff is on standby.
• Parks & Recreation:
  • Bus/Van gassed up and ready if needed for transports or evacuation helps.
  • They will have children at P&R Building until 2pm today.
  • Programs/Activities closed Thursday.
  • Requested for Public Works to secure swings and trash cans.
• Mayor Hatem:
  • His main concern is the Public Health and Safety of the employees, citizens, and visitors.
  • Keep communications open with briefings and press releases.
  • Southport is in good hands, with experienced employees.
• Public Works Director:
  • Staff is ready and on standby.
  • EOC will contact Tom if things are needed.
  • City Engineers are on standby to assist Tom if needed.
• Assistant City Manager/Clerk to the Board:
  • FEMA forms will be emailed to all department heads at the close of this meeting.
  • FEMA has 5 different forms, Dorrie has condensed them into 2 main forms we will use to track expenses, calls, and employee hours.
  • State of Emergency has been prepared and will be emailed to Mayor, Incident Commander, and City Manager before leaving today, if needed.
• Planning/Building Inspections:
  • Staff is ready if needed to do Post-Storm assessment.
• Community Relations/Tourism:
  • Visitor’s Center is closed today and tomorrow.
  • Community Building is closed.
• Animal Protective Services:
  • Operational.
• Public Information Officer:
  • Leaving for out-of-town trip at 7:30pm this evening.
    • Will have laptop and city cell phone if needed.
  • Assistant PIO is prepared as the back up and has been trained.

Immediately following the City’s meeting, the team participated in a Brunswick County Conference Call with all municipalities and county partners.

The City of Southport remains very vigilant and aware of this storm.  I am watching every briefing and update with precision, and if there are any significant changes, I will update you as soon as possible.  Non-essential employees have been released, and essential staff is ready and on standby.  If citizens have any needs, please have them call 910-457-7915.

Respectfully,

Chief Charles A. Drew

Incident Commander

City of Southport

Tuesday, August 30, 12:55pm

What has changed:

• Tropical Storm Watches upgraded to Tropical Storm Warnings
• Tornado Risk has increased
• New river flood updates
• Wind gusts increased across the adjacent coastal waters

Tuesday, August 30, 10:25am

• The tornado risk for portions of northeast SC and southeast NC has been increased to an Enhanced Risk (3 of 5).
• The risk will increase as bands of storms move onshore, especially this afternoon and evening.
• A Tornado Watch may be needed to highlight this threat
• Be prepared to seek shelter if Tornado Warnings are issued for your area

Tuesday, August 30, 9:30am

What has changed:

• Tropical Storm Watches and Warnings expanded
• High Surf Advisory and Coastal Flood Warning now in effect
• Rainfall totals have been increased
• Increased river flood threat
• Expected wind speeds have been increased

Idalia will make landfall along the west coast of FL this morning. The storm will move

across southeast Georgia later today to the SC coast late tonight.

• It is possible that Idalia could be a strong tropical storm or hurricane early Thursday morning as it moves near the SC coast.
• Impacts will begin to increase across northeast SC and southeast NC later today, through tonight, and Thursday. These impacts include:
  • Heavy rainfall and dangerous flash flooding
  • A few tornadoes and waterspouts
  • Some storm surge/coastal flooding
  • Gusty winds exceeding 40 mph (tropical storm force)
  • Strong rip currents from Hurricane Franklin off to the east and from Idalia
  • Hazardous maritime conditions

Tuesday, August 29, 2023, 7:45pm

What has changed:

• Tropical Storm Warning now in effect for Williamsburg, Georgetown, Horry, Coastal Brunswick, Coastal New Hanover, & Coastal Pender Counties
• Tropical Storm Warning for coastal waters from Surf City to South Santee River out 20 nautical miles.
• Flash Flood Watch for Southeast North Carolina and Northeast South Carolina Wednesday Afternoon through Thursday
• Added Mostly Likely Time of Arrival for Tropical Storm Winds.

The latest briefing can be found here.

Tuesday, August 29, 2023 4:30pm

As preparations continue, the concern for Idalia is a bit greater for Southport now than it was late yesterday, though presently the estimated winds expected for Southeastern NC are 30 miles per hour (plus/minus) with gusts up to 60 miles per hour (plus/minus). The full moon and King Tide that is going to impact us late Wednesday and Thursday could also add an additional three feet of water.

Unusually heavy rain will potentially cause further problems. Due to the expected increase of the amount of water, residents should prepare accordingly. These preparations would include consideration of elevating or removing items in garages and under homes. Don’t forget golf carts, electric mowers, and other electrical devices that may cause fires if subjected to water. Also, please monitor the streets, as some may become impassible. Stay in your homes, if possible. If you do have to leave for any reason and encounter flooding, remember to “turn around, don’t drown.”

Tuesday, August 29, 2023, 12:00pm

The City of Southport Emergency Operations Team met at 0830 this morning.  Here is a synopsis of the meeting:

• An updated weather briefing was given.
• All city departments reported on current resources and situational awareness of the upcoming storm event.
• FEMA forms and documentation was discussed.
• Contact with all our partners have been completed to include, BEMC, Dosher Hospital, Southport Rehabilitation Center, and Terra Bella Assisted Living.
• All city vehicles and apparatus has been checked, maintained, and fueled.
• All city generators have been checked, maintained, and fueled.
• Extra diesel fuel is stored at the City Garage if needed.
• All essential employees have been placed on standby notification.
• WEB EOC has been checked and is current.
• Continuously monitoring the National Hurricane Center Forecast for any changes.
• State of Emergency is ready to go, if needed.
• Communications have been established with Brunswick County Emergency Management and the State of NC Emergency Management.
• Department Heads are beginning to track expenses, employee hours, and any special needs.
• There may be some interruption of trash collection, we will know further on this tomorrow.

At the meeting, the following Protective Actions have been taken:

• A partial EOC will be activated at 4pm on Wednesday.
• All city parks, city dock, city pier, and riverwalk will be closed at 12 noon on Wednesday.
• All city meetings/events have been canceled for Wednesday & Thursday.

Respectfully,

Charles A. Drew

Fire Chief/Incident Commander

City of Southport

Tuesday, August 29, 2023, 10:15am

Due to impending inclement weather from Hurricane Idalia, please take note of the following City of Southport cancellations and closures: 

⚠️ City Pier, City Dock, Riverwalk, and all City Parks (including the Dog Park), will be closing at 4:00pm on Wednesday, August 30th.

⚠️ The August 30th Historic Preservation Commission meeting is cancelled and will be rescheduled.

⚠️ The Fort Johnston-Southport Visitors’ Center & Museum will be closed on Thursday, August 31st.

⚠️ All City Parks & Recreation buildings and activities (including Open Gym) are cancelled for Thursday, August 31st.

⚠️ The August 31st Board of Aldermen Special Meeting and Homelessness Forum is cancelled and will be rescheduled.

⚠️ The August 31st Concert in the Park has been cancelled and will not be rescheduled.

Tuesday, August 29, 2023, 8:30am

NOAA Idalia Resource Page can be found here.

What has changed:

• Idalia is now a hurricane
• Tornado Risk has increased
• Included peak sustained and peak gust swath graphics
• Included slide on dangerous rip currents and rough surf

Monday, August 28, 2023, 11:30am

National Weather Service Idalia Briefing can be found here. Key points include: