Hurricane Ian - September 2022

Hurricane Ian Relief Efforts

There are multiple ways to get involved. The below list is not inclusive of all relief efforts in our area.

Monetary Donations may be made via:

Florida has this set-up for monetary donations: https://www.volunteerflorida.org/donatefdf/

Salvation Army: https://give.helpsalvationarmy.org/give/166081/#!/donation/checkout

American Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/donate/homepage1.html/

Samaritan's Purse: https://samaritanspurse.org/ 

Or to donate a check locally: Make payable to: Morehead City Fire Rescue Auxiliary, Memo (Hurricane Ian Relief Fund)

Donations are being accepted in multiple locations and by various organizations and citizens throughout the County to include but not limited to:

Morehead City Fire & EMS, Station 2

Atlantic Beach Fire Department

Down East Fire Department, Station 2

Harkers Island Fire & Rescue

Otway Fire & Rescue

Carteret Community College

Beaufort Fire Stations 1 & 2

Items Requested : All types of cleaning supplies, Buckets, Tarps, Roofing Nails, Extension Cords, Fans, Empty Gas Cans, Propane, Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, Personal Hygiene Supplies, Baby Wipes, Water, and Non-Perishable Food.

All collection efforts will be directed to Lee County, FL.

Items will be collected until Thursday, October 13, 2022 at 5:00pm.

Saturday, Oct. 1:

The Town of Beaufort rescinded the State of Emergency effective at 8 a.m.

The main effects of Tropical Storm Ian involved tidal surge.

Friday, Sept. 30:

11:30 a.m. Please use caution if you must drive in Beaufort today. Multiple roads in Beaufort are covered in water.

Areas include: Front Street from Live Oak to the east and from Hill Street West to Turner Street, First and Craven Streets, Cedar and Pollock Streets, Meeting Street, Fairview Street, Sycamore Street, Sycamore and Steep Point, Mashburn Drive, Glenda Street, Professional Park Drive and more.

Photos are on the Town's Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BeaufortTown

10:30 a.m. Front Street is closed from Pollock to Turner Street due to flooding. 

Thursday, Sept. 29 Update:

At 3 p.m. the Town of Beaufort declared a State of Emergency in advance of the arrival of Tropical Storm Ian and issued a full press release. 

Town of Beaufort Declares a State of Emergency

Tropical Storm Ian Expected to Bring Elevated Tornado Threat and Flooding

BEAUFORT, NC – Town of Beaufort officials have been closely monitoring the path of Hurricane Ian and its potential impacts on the Town.

On Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, the National Weather Service issued a Tropical Storm Warning and a Storm Surge Watch for Beaufort. Forecasts for Beaufort focus on an increased risk of tornados, heavy periods of rain with some areas receiving 4-6 inches, wind gusts up to 40-50 mph with sustained tropical force winds and tidal surge. The duration of the winds is one of the biggest potential impacts affecting flood risks. The Town has already been experiencing elevated tide levels in the downtown area in advance of Tropical Storm Ian.

The weather is forecast to deteriorate during the evening hours of Thursday and into Friday morning. Friday, September 30, 2022 presents the highest risks of tornados, heavy rain and tidal flooding. In anticipation of the potential impacts from Tropical Storm Ian, Town of Beaufort officials declared a State of Emergency effective at 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. The declaration remains in effect until the Mayor or Board of Commissioners rescind the declaration.

Town officials are monitoring the storm and are in contact with emergency management officials and the National Weather Service. The National Weather Service Morehead City outlined the forecast on Sept. 29, 2022 in a webinar. 

Secure Outdoor Items

Please secure all outdoor furniture, building materials, toys, garden tools, garbage cans, sailboats and any other harmful objects that could blow around in high winds. Moor all boats securely or evacuate them to a safe area.

Emergency Alerts

Make sure you have multiple ways to receive emergency alerts. The Town offers multiple methods to receive information. Sign up for the Town of Beaufort Emergency Alert System by scanning the QR Code below, texting "Join beaufortnc-alerts" to 31002 without the quotes or visit beaufortnc.org. Follow the Town on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BeaufortTown and track information online at www.beaufortnc.org.

Power Outages

In the event of a power outage, please report it to Duke Energy's automated outage-reporting system: Duke Energy Progress: 1-800-419-6356. Customers may also report an outage or view current outages online at www.duke-energy.com/outages or text OUT to 57801.

Trash and Recycling

As of mid-day on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, the Town of Beaufort’s trash contractor Green For Life (GFL) is planning to operate on a normal schedule on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. For questions concerning trash and recycling pick up, please contact GFL at (252) 223-4176.

Storm Debris

In the event of storm debris, please follow the guidelines outlined by the Town for separating debris. Storm debris should be placed at the curb without blocking the roadway or storm drains. Please be sure not to put debris near tress, poles, fire hydrants or other structures.

At this time, all Town services are anticipated to continue full operations. For more information and updates follow the Town of Beaufort on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BeaufortTown and online at www.beaufortnc.org.

12 p.m. briefing from the National Weather Service: https://www.beaufortnc.org/sites/default/files/fileattachments/community/page/10970/nws_morehead_city_hurricane_ian_briefing_12_sep_29th_2022.pdf

The East Carteret High School Homecoming parade scheduled for 4 p.m. Sept. 29 has been canceled.

Carteret County Schools will operate remotely on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022.

National Weather Service has issued a Tropical Storm Warning.

6 a.m. briefing from the National Weather Service: https://www.weather.gov/media/mhx/LatestBriefing.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0my6OgFMY4q68u85Y0VM14GKg-Ew5jXXFkKZQFoBQ2gy8iC3QTgpBVIuc

Wednesday 5:30 p.m. Sept. 28, 2022 Update: 

The National Weather Service has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for our area. Governor issues State of Emergency.

US National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC  ***Tropical Storm WATCH For Parts Of Our Area*** ***Main Impacts have -NOT- Changed For Our Area***

More info: www.weather.gov/mhx/tropical  Read the full update: Sept. 28 NWS Briefing

Main impacts remain periods of heavy rain and gusty winds, with coastal flooding/surge/elevated water, Thursday through Saturday. Peak of winds and rain will be Friday and Saturday.

Governor Cooper issued a State of Emergency for North Carolina on Sept. 28, 2022. Read the Order here. 

Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022:

The Town of Beaufort is closely monitoring Hurricane Ian as it makes landfall in Florida. Information will be shared here as well as on the Town's Facebook page and through the Town of Beaufort's Emergency Alert Notification system.  Sign up to receive emergency notifications directly to your phone.  These notifications will advise the recipients what the emergency or situation is, the appropriate actions to take, and provide ongoing updates as the situation progresses or is resolved. You may register by scanning the QR code on this page, visiting the website or via text.  QR Code: Scan the QR Code and complete the web form. Text Only Sign Up: Text "Join beaufortnc-alerts" to 31002 without the quotes.

Message from Carteret County Emergency Management: https://www.beaufortnc.org/system/files/fileattachments/private/page/10970/20220928_-_carteret_county_emergency_services_tracking_hurricane_ian.pdf 

Latest update from the National Weather Service: National Weather Service latest briefing: 7 a.m. Sept. 28, 2022

Please don't let your guard down just yet and review your hurricane plans. For more information and resources, visit the Town's Hurricane Resource Center. 

Reporting power outages 

Customers who experience power outages should call Duke Energy's automated outage-reporting system: Duke Energy Progress: 1-800-419-6356  Customers may also report an outage or view current outages online at www.duke-energy.com/outages or text OUT to 57801

Want to help our friends in the path of Hurricane Ian?

Harkers Island Fire Rescue is assisting in coordinating relief efforts.  Down East Fire Department Station 2 along with Morehead City Station 2, Atlantic Beach, Harkers Island and Otway Fire Departments will be drop off locations for the victims in the path of Hurricane Ian. Donations will be accepted starting now until further notice. Donations can be anything but most needed will be cleaning supplies and water. They will also be collecting monetary donations to help with fuel costs for the volunteers delivering the items collected.