Key information:
- Village officials are monitoring the effects of the temporary Colonial Pipeline shutdown
- Terrapin Excluder Devices (TEDs) required in all crab pots
- New cell tower update
- Road paving expected to begin week of June 7, 2021
- It’s Hurricane Preparedness Week, things you can do NOW to prepare
- Announcements from BHI Transportation, Inc. regarding barge price adjustment, parking price increases, and Memorial Day weekend ferry schedule
REMINDERS: Village Council Special Meeting/Budget Workshop Monday, 5/17, Village Council Regular Meeting, Friday, 5/21, doorbell at Public Safety Building for after-hours use ONLY, drone flights for beach vitex, CTP survey
COVID-19:
- NC lifts most mandatory mask mandates, all mandatory capacity, gathering limits and social distancing requirements, effective immediately
- Vaccinations are now available to everyone ages 12 and up
- Brunswick County case numbers
- Village Hall has reopened, Public Safety administrative office will reopen on Monday, May 17, 2021
Fuel Supply – Village officials have been monitoring the effects of the temporary shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline and the fuel supply to the island. The fuel supply is adequate for the Village’s essential services and equipment. Contractor Services customers will be limited to $20 purchases (there is no limit on diesel) until supplies return to normal.
Terrapin Excluder Devices (TEDs) – The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission has designated Bald Head Island as a Diamondback Terrapin Management Area (DTMA). TEDs are required in ALL crab pots in DTMAs beginning March 15, 2021.
To make a crab pot terrapin safe, install a TED at the base of each funnel in your crab pot. Attach each corner of the TED to the funnel using wires, hog rings or zip ties. You can order TEDs from the Bald Head Island Conservancy by emailing conservation@bhic.org. More information about protecting the diamondback terrapins can be found on the Conservancy’s website HERE and their flyer HERE.
If you place crab pots in the creek it is important that you follow all N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF) requirements. They can be found HERE. Public Safety recently received a report about crab pots being stolen, when they were in fact not incompliance with NCDMF requirements and were being pulled by wildlife officers. Per Village ordinance, the use of crab pots is prohibited at the Creek Access.
Cell Tower Update – Crown Castle’s contractors completed the first phase of construction the week of May 6, 2021. The site now has caution tape, barricades, and no trespassing signs. The second phase of the project is expected to begin on June 1, 2021 (tentatively). Please note that the installation of the service provider equipment (AT&T, US Cellular, Verizon) will be phased over from the old tower to the new one. The timing of the installation for each provider is yet to be determined.
Road Paving – The Village’s routine fall street maintenance was postponed and is expected to begin the week of June 7, 2021. Resurfacing will take place on the following Village roads:
- South Bald Head Wynd, top of hill to Federal Road
- 200 ft section of Federal Road in front of BHI Conservancy
- East entrance of Palmetto Cove to stop sign
- Large section of Kinakeet Way
- All of Coquina Trail
This work is expected to take approximately two weeks. The Village will be sending more information regarding any road closings and detours to Village’s Voice subscribers and via social media.
Hurricane Preparedness Week – It’s Hurricane Preparedness Week in North Carolina. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th each year. For North Carolina, the worst storms seem to come later in the season, but now is the time to prepare.
According to a 2021 Atlantic hurricane season outlook by The Weather Company, this hurricane season is predicted to be more active than usual. Dr. Todd Crawford, a chief meteorologist at The Weather Company, indicated that 18 named storms, eight hurricanes, and three major hurricanes are expected this season. This forecast is above the 30-year average (1991 to 2020) of 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes. This outlook is based on several factors, including Atlantic Ocean sea-surface temperatures, computer model forecasts, and past hurricane seasons exhibiting similar atmospheric conditions.
2020 was also predicted to be above normal for storm activity, and this turned out to be correct. A record 30 named storms formed during the 2020 season, 14 of which became hurricanes.
Village officials have already begun preparations including reviewing the Village’s Emergency Management Plan (EMP), ensuring contact information is up-to-date, equipment is in working condition, and that the off-island Emergency Operations Center (EOC) contract is renewed for this year. Village EOC staff are planning for a table-top exercise next month.
Below are two steps you can take now to prepare:
Sign up for the Code Red notification system
The Village of Bald Head Island utilizes an emergency notification system known as Code Red. Village of Bald Head Island citizens can register to receive emergency messaging and updates about specific events (i.e., hurricanes and/or tropical storms). This system will be used in addition to the Village’s Voice to send important messages via email and text. Registrants can choose which methods of contact they prefer. Messages can be targeted to areas of the island, so be sure to use your physical address on the island when you sign up. The Village also uses this service to send messages about utility outages. You can sign up online HERE.
Register for BHI property owner re-entry list
If a mandatory evacuation of the island occurs, the re-entry procedure will be determined on several factors including guidance from the Emergency Operations Team, Mayor, and the Public Safety Director. Property owners (with structures on their property) should register with the Village so they can be allowed back on the island to check their properties after the storm. You can register your property online HERE.
During the last few storms, the Village has used its social media accounts to distribute information, video, and photos. If you use social media, please follow, like, or subscribe on our Facebook, Facebook (Public Safety), Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube pages.
THIS short YouTube video includes several preparedness tips for Bald Head Island. The video also regularly runs on the Village’s PEG Channel (Public, Educational, and Governmental Access Channel) on Spectrum cable channel 1395. If you have Spectrum, please let renters know about this information resource.
There are many resources online that provide additional helpful tips to prepare for hurricanes. If you are new to the island and have not been through one yet, reach out to your neighbors. They can be very helpful in providing information on how they prepared for the last few storms and what they learned they need to do for the next one. If you have any tips you would like to share, which could be used in future Village communications, please send them to public.information@villagebhi.org.
BHI Transportation, Inc. Announcements – Bald Head Island Transportation, Inc. has recently issued the following announcements (click on each item to view):
- Barge Price Adjustment (effective June 7, 2021)
- Parking Price Increases (effective June 14, 2021)
- Memorial Day Ferry Schedule
REMINDERS:
- Council Meetings – The Village Council will be conducting a Special Meeting/Budget Workshop on Monday, May 17, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. in the multi-purpose room in the Public Safety Building. The next regular Council Meeting will be on Friday, April 21, 2021. Both meetings are open to the public and will take place in the multi-purpose room in the Public Safety Building. Agendas for these meetings will be posted HERE.
- Doorbell at Public Safety – A doorbell was installed on the front door of the Public Safety Building so that Public Safety Officers can hear folks at the door after hours. Please do not ring the bell between 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. As always, please call 911 if there is an emergency, and let the operator know you are on Bald Head Island.
- Drone Flights – The Bald Head Island Conservancy will be conducting drone flights to image beach vitex from mid-May through the first day of June. Flights will be conducted around mid-day. For more information, please view THIS information sheet.
- CTP Survey – Brunswick County, its municipalities (including Bald Head Island), Cape Fear Rural Planning Organization, Grand Strand Area Transportation Study Metropolitan Planning Organization, and NCDOT have created a steering committee to start the Brunswick County Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP). The CTP steering committee wants feedback from residents and visitors of the county to help create the Vision, Goals, and Objectives as well as to guide the entire CTP process. Your input will help guide this plan. Please participate in THIS SURVEY or pick up a paper copy in the IPC/PO. The survey will be open until June 9, 2021.
A big THANK YOU to all who have participated thus far, the survey has received a significant number of responses (over 3,700!) which is unique for a survey of this type!
COVID-19 UPDATE
Today, Governor Cooper announced that the state is completely lifting most mandatory mask mandates, all mandatory capacity, gathering limits, and social distancing requirements, effective immediately. The mask mandate will remain in effect on public transportation (which means the Bald Head Island Transportation, Inc. ferries and trams), in child care, in schools, in prisons, and in certain public health settings. The state continues to recommend that unvaccinated people wear masks and is strongly urging them to get vaccinated.
View the latest Executive Order HERE.
View the FAQs HERE.
Vaccines – Brunswick County Health Services announced yesterday that it is now vaccinating everyone 12 and up. For more information, view the County’s media release HERE. The State’s vaccine finder at myspot.nc.gov also provides information on where folks can receive a shot. More information about vaccines can be found at YourSpotYourShot.nc.gov.
Brunswick County Case Numbers – The latest NC County Alert System report indicated that there are no “red” counties, 19 are “orange”, 56 are “yellow”, 24 are “light yellow”, and 1 is “green.” Brunswick County is currently light yellow. Light yellow means there is moderate impact on county hospitals and that the case rate was 10-19 cases per 100,000 people in the last 14 days.
Case numbers were typically updated daily on Brunswick County’s dashboard on THIS WEBSITE. The County experienced technical issues and this site will direct citizens to the State’s COVID-19 dashboard until the County dashboard is up and running.
Village Offices Reopening – Village Hall reopened to the public on Monday, April 26, 2021. The administrative office at Public Safety will reopen on Monday, May 17, 2021. Per the latest Executive Order, masks will only be required in public buildings if you are not fully vaccinated.