Hurricane Dorian - Sept. 2019

Nov. 14, 2019 - Storm Debris Collection begins in the County - Town debris collection is complete

NCDOT has begun debris removal for county residents

While debris removal is complete inside Beaufort Town limits, it is just beginning for County residents. The following is a press release published by the North Carolina Department of Transportation on Nov.  8, 2019. Please follow the guidelines outlined in the release. 

Hurricane Debris Removal Begins in Four Counties​

N.C. Department of Transportation contract crews will start today removing Hurricane Dorian-related debris in four counties. 

The cleanup follows the decision last month by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to approve Governor Roy Cooper’s request for a disaster declaration. The approval allows the NCDOT to request federal funding reimbursements for the cost of debris removal. After the declaration was made, NCDOT lined up a contractor to remove Dorian-related debris in Carteret, Craven, Jones and Pamlico counties.

Debris includes vegetative, construction and demolition, as well as, large electrical goods like a dishwasher or refrigerator. 

Debris must be brought into the right-of-way to be removed. Contract crews will not go onto private property or streets not maintained by NCDOT to pick up the debris. 

Once in the right-of-way, residents need to create separate piles for each type debris. For example, vegetative and construction/demolition debris should not be combined. If there are commingled piles, NCDOT will not pick it up until it is separated. 

NCDOT will begin the debris removal today but will continue to pick up debris if it is placed into the right-of-way before Thanksgiving and follows the NCDOT’s other guidelines.​

Sept. 11, 2019 - Storm Debris Update

While the debris resulting from Dorian is considerably less than that resulting from Florence, it is still at a volume greater than the Town staff is capable of removing in a timely fashion. Consequently, the Town has activated the contract it has in place with TFR Enterprises, Inc. for storm debris removal.

TFR will begin collection on the morning of Friday, September 13th. Please try to have your vegetative storm debris curbside by 8am Monday, September 16th.  Vegetative debris should be placed  along the curb, not in the road. DO NOT place vegetative debris in bags or containers. Construction debris and bulky items must be placed in separate piles. The contractor will not pick up any debris that is mixed. Bulk item pick up needs to be scheduled with Town Hall by Monday at 5pm for pick up on Wednesday.

1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, 2019

* Please place vegetative debris and construction debris in two separate piles near the road (Do NOT place it in the road). (Image at the bottom shows proper sorting methods)

* Place household garbage in proper cans and follow your regular pickup schedule. If any changes are announced by GF, we will post the updates here and on Facebook.

* Remember when approaching a non-working stoplight, to treat it like a 4-way stop.

12:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 6, 2019

* The Town of Beaufort has lifted its curfew for daylight hours. We will be assessing the number of power outages. It is possible the curfew will be reinstated at 9 p.m. if necessary.

* The Town of Beaufort, NC's Facebook page has a thread pinned to the top of the page for area businesses to post when they will be reopening.

11:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 6, 2019

* Town of Beaufort public safety have been out since sunrise assessing Beaufort and addressing safety concerns

* As of 11:30 .a.m. the curfew remains in effect while crews are clearing roadways of debris, down trees and utility lines.

* Winds and rain continue in Beaufort as the storm moves away from our coastline. 

* Portions of Beaufort have power.

* Visit the Town of Beaufort, NC on Facebook for photos and videos taken during the mornings assessment.

* We will continue to keep you updated as information becomes available.

Update from Duke Energy 

After a long night of tropical-force winds and rain from Hurricane Dorian, more than 115,000 customers are without power in the Carolinas this morning. As the storm continues to head up the coast, we expect that number to increase throughout the day.

Here in Carteret County, Duke Energy serves 25,296 customers. As of 8 a.m. 15,551 were without power.

Restoration efforts will begin as soon it is safe for our crews. We must first assess the extent of damage – which can sometimes take 24 hours or more – to determine which crews, equipment and supplies are needed before repairs can begin. That assessment will determine where the company will deploy its workers, equipment and other resources to begin the complex job of power restoration once the storm passes.
For employee safety, Duke Energy line technicians do not work in bucket trucks when wind, either sustained or gusts, are above 30 miles per hour. Additionally, employees do not travel, climb or work when sustained winds reach 39 miles per hour. When the storm passes and wind speeds drop below 39 miles per hour making it safe for travel, crews will begin damage assessment and repairs.

Downed power lines

Stay away from power lines that have fallen or are sagging. Consider all lines energized as well as trees, limbs or anything in contact with lines.

Report all power line hazards using the following phone number:

Duke Energy Progress customers – 800.419.6356

If a power line falls across a car that you're in, stay in the car. If you MUST get out of the car due to a fire or other immediate life-threatening situation, do your best to jump clear of the car and land on both feet. Be sure that no part of your body is touching the car when your feet touch the ground.

Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019

* Curfew extended - The Town of Beaufort will be under a curfew beginning at 7 p.m. Sept. 5, 2019 until further notice.

* Hurricane Dorian strengthened to a Cat 3 overnight - Significant impacts and life threatening conditions are expected Thursday and Friday.

* Mayor Newton urges all residents to heed the mandatory evacuation while there is still time.

* By 9 a.m. Carteret County was placed under a Tornado Warning.

* A tornado touched down in Emerald Isle.

* Carteret County issued a countywide curfew that goes into effect at dusk on Sept. 5.

Notice from Duke Energy:

  Responding to Hurricane Dorian

We are beginning to see our first storm-related outages this afternoon as Hurricane Dorian storm bands reach our state. We are currently projecting as many as 700,000 customers or more could experience extended outages from this storm.

Restoration efforts cannot begin until the storm passes. Repair work will be lengthy and difficult. Restoring power after a storm like Dorian can be extremely challenging for utility repair crews, as travel and work conditions will be impacted by high winds and widespread flooding.

For employee safety, Duke Energy line technicians do not perform elevated work in bucket trucks when wind, either sustained or gusts, are above 30 miles per hour. Additionally, employees do not travel, climb or work when sustained winds reach 39 miles per hour. When the storm passes and wind speeds drop below 39 miles per hour making it safe for travel, crews will begin damage assessment and repairs.

How to see outages in your area

See the outage map at www.duke-energy.com/outages.

You can view outages in a few ways. On all devices, you can use the search bar to find a specific address or location.
When looking at the map, you will see circle icons of varying sizes indicating the location and number of customers without power. One outage on the map could represent multiple homes and businesses. Pan the map and select a circle to zoom in on your location.

Or you can select the zoom (+/-) in the lower right corner of the map, and then use the mouse to drag left, right, up or down to navigate to the location you want to view. Or, you can select the zoom (+/-) in the lower right corner of the map, and then use the mouse to drag left, right, up or down to navigate to the location you want to view.
On a mobile device, use the pinch open gesture to zoom in and the pinch close gesture to zoom out, and then use the drag gesture to move the outage map to the desired location.

Email and text communication

We have been sharing prepare messages and updates with customers who have email addresses registered with us. In addition, a text message was sent today to customers who do not have an email on file with us.

“Duke Energy Storm: Dorian is bringing high winds & excessive rainfall to parts of our state. Prepare for dangerous conditions & extended outages. Our crews are nearby and ready to move as soon as conditions allow.  Visit http://duk.us/06 for latest info. Heed all warnings and stay safe. Text STOP to cancel.”

Outage reporting  

Customers who experience an outage during the storm can report it by: 

Visiting duke-energy.com on a desktop computer or mobile device

Texting OUT to 57801 (standard text and data charges may apply).

Calling the automated outage-reporting system at 800.419.635

For storm or power restoration updates, follow Duke Energy on Twitter (@DukeEnergy) and Facebook (Duke Energy). See the outage map at www.duke-energy.com/outages.

2:30 p.m. Sept. 4: Traffic Advisory: Due to the Governor's Order to Evacuate, NCDOT was ordered to adjust all traffic lights along evacuation routes. Please be aware of this as you travel through the 70 & 101 intersection in Beaufort. 

2 p.m., Sept. 4: The Town of Beaufort is under a mandatory evacuation. A curfew begins at sundown on Thursday, Sept. 5. 

Town Hall is closed. 

Trash and Recycling Services have been suspended for Thursday and Friday.

1 p.m. - Carteret County Emergency Services announces bridge closures

BRIDGE CLOSURE INFORMATION: ACCORDING TO NC HIGHWAY PATROL, THERE WILL BE RESTRICTED ACCESS ON ALL THE BRIDGES STARTING TOMORROW EVENING. THE RESTRICTIONS COINCIDE WITH THE INDIVIDUAL TOWN EVACUATION PLANS AND CURFEWS.

ON THURSDAY SEPT 5 BEGINNING AT 8AM THERE WILL BE VERY LITTLE ACCESS TO BOGUE BANKS. THE OTHER BRIDGES WILL REMAIN OPEN AT THIS TIME.

10:00 a.m. Sept. 3: Town declares a Mandatory Evacuation effective Sept. 3 at 3 p.m. Carteret County Schools will be closed Wednesday, Sept. 4 -Friday, Sept. 6, 2019.

TOWN OF BEAUFORT

EVACUATION PROCEDURE

Due to an imminent threat to public safety, the Town of Beaufort has issued an evacuation declaration. The Town of Beaufort is under a state of emergency as of 3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 2, 2019. Your safety and welfare are at stake! Hurricane Dorian is a major hurricane with strong tropical winds and storm surge as of Sept. 3, 2019. The National Weather Service forecast models show a strong potential for significant impacts to our area. Tropical Storm winds are anticipated to arrive on Wednesday evening, Sept. 4, 2019.

EVACUATION:

The Town of Beaufort has issued a mandatory evacuation beginning at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019. We urge all citizens to adhere and evacuate to safety as soon as possible. All citizens should be at a safe location by early Wednesday evening, Sept. 4, 2019.

The County entered a state of emergency at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019 and issued a mandatory evacuation effective at 12 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019 for portions of the County to include all of Down East, North River, South River and all residents in manufactured homes to including park models, recreational vehicles and mobile homes.

Citizens and visitors in Beaufort and Carteret County must plan for an evacuation now. Please leave early, especially those that will be traveling with boats or trailers. Citizens and visitors should plan to be at a safe location and sheltered by 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019.

Updates of Storm Arrival:

Stay tuned to local news media for the latest public information announcements, hurricane updates and shelter openings.

For updates from the Town of Beaufort, please visit our resource page at www.beaufortnc.org. Simply click the Hurricane Dorian tab at the top and all available information will be displayed.

The Town of Beaufort’s Facebook page will also be a valuable resource. https://www.facebook.com/BeaufortTown/

PLEASE TAKE THE FOLLOWING STEPS PRIOR TO LEAVING YOUR HOME:

All outdoor objects including trash cans and patio furniture should be brought indoors or tied down.
Clear your property of all debris that could damage buildings in strong winds.
It is recommended to board your windows.
Cut off LP gas at the tank.
Cut off power to your home at the circuit breaker.
Cut off water to your home at the water valve.
Cut off water and power to your dock.
Take your pets.
Take your necessary medications.

CURFEW: A curfew goes into effect for the Town of Beaufort from sunset to sunrise beginning on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019 to remain in effect until modified or rescinded.

TOWN OPERATIONS will cease at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019 and will resume at a time deemed safe after the storm event.

PUBLIC INFORMATION:

Storm-related information and re-entry procedures following the storm will be updated on the Town’s website and Facebook page as data becomes available.  Access to this website is dependent upon the ability of the internet service provider to maintain its operations during the storm.  The Town’s website address is: www.beaufortnc.org. Re-entry passes are not being issued by the Town of Beaufort. Please be prepared to show proof of residency if necessary upon re-entry.

For the latest updates on road closures download readync.gov.

EVACUATION SHELTERS:

Carteret County Emergency Management anticipates opening a shelter at the Newport Middle School, 500 E Chatham Street, at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019, if conditions allow. The shelter is pet friendly.

Please monitor Carteret County Emergency Management’s Facebook pages or download readync.org for updates on shelter locations

Medically Fragile Citizens should contact the Emergency Management Office at (252) 222-5841 for shelter information and to preregister.

Prepare an Emergency Kit:

The kit should contain nonperishable food, water (one gallon per person per day) and clothing to sustain each family member for 7 days. Include a flashlight, radio, spare batteries, blankets, rain gear and appropriate footwear. Special considerations must be made for the young or disabled. Remember to include baby food and medications as well as photo copies of important family documents, such as birth certificates and insurance policies. Secure original copies of documents in a waterproof container in case of flooding. These emergency kits should be taken with you during an evacuation. Remember to fill your gas tank.

4:15 p.m. Sept. 2:  Town of Beaufort declares State of Emergency and issues a Voluntary Evacuation

TOWN OFFICIALS ISSUE A VOLUNTARY EVACUATION FOR THE TOWN OF BEAUFORT; RESIDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SEEK SHELTER INLAND

The National Hurricane Center’s forecast for Hurricane Dorian projects it will begin affecting our area late on Wednesday, Sept. 4 and continue throughout the day Thursday and Friday. The Mayor of the Town of Beaufort has signed a proclamation declaring a State of Emergency in advance of the storm and has ordered a voluntary evacuation of the Town of Beaufort, N.C. Town officials and emergency management are closely monitoring the storm.

A Mandatory Evacuation may be issued on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019 depending on the track of Hurricane Dorian. A decision will be made by 10 a.m. on Sept. 3, and if warranted, will begin at 3 p.m. Please prepare and make plans to relocate inland for the duration of the storm.

All residents are cautioned to stay calm, evacuate their home and proceed to a safe location.

Residents are urged to cut off gas valves and turn off the main electrical breaker to their homes and apartments prior to evacuation. Residents should also shut off water valves to their docks and piers.

For updated information, follow the Town of Beaufort on Facebook and visit www.beaufortnc.org.

Sept. 2: Please finalize all plans and preparations today. The National Weather Service 6 a.m. Sept. 2, 2019 briefing may be found below. 

Sept. 1: As Hurricane Dorian approaches the United States, residents of Beaufort are urged to make preparations and plans.

On Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019, Hurricane Dorian reached a Category 5 with sustained winds of 185 mph. The National Hurricane Center is issuing advisories multiple times a day. These updates are being shared on the Town of Beaufort's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BeaufortTown/?ref=settings and are also available at http://www.hurricanes.gov.

Please make sure you have your hurricane kits prepared and plans in place in case an evacuation is necessary.  As information becomes available, the Town will be sharing it via Social Media outlets (Facebook and Twitter) as well as on this website (as access allows). Please share the information with your neighbors.

NOTICES:

All small vessels on Town property must be removed immediately. See link below for additional information.