Key Information:
- Village is mobilizing and positioning pumps right now. Staying off the roads will help our crews get around better.
- Could the Village have started pumping operations earlier?
- Grinder pump alarms.
- Several roads in Brunswick County remain impassable from standing flood water and washouts a few sources for current road conditions.
- Village offices and the Island Package Center/Post Office are closed today, office staff are working remotely.
- Damage assessments for FEMA public assistance are being made for Brunswick County to include Bald Head Island.
- Bald Head Island, Brunswick County, Southport, and several other area communities remain under a State of Emergency.
- The ferry and barge are suspended until further notice. Please continue to use the BHI Transportation, Inc. app and check the website for announcements.
- Please check our social media and/or media webpage for moment-by-moment updates as BHI and Brunswick County recover from this event.
Stormwater Management
The Village has mobilized several pumps this morning and has opened one of the 10-inch pumps at the emergency ocean outfall and the second is due to open soon. The Village will continue deploying its smaller pumps today at several key locations. The location of the pumps is strategic in that it will lower the water table most efficiently. Staying off the roads will help our crews get around better.
Timing of Stormwater Operations
As stated in our overview of the Village’s Stormwater Management Plan (HERE), the deployment of pumps is reactionary to a storm event and the use of the bypass lagoon and outfall to Bald Head Island Creek is a proactive measure. The outfall has been opened and letting off excess rainwater since Sunday morning. The positioning of pumps could not have occurred earlier than today due to the suspension of ferry service early yesterday morning and only one run yesterday afternoon. Yesterday, the Village’s focus was managing the wastewater treatment plant inflow. Flooded and damaged primary roads in and out of Southport and throughout Brunswick County also posed a challenge.
Grinder Pump Alarms
Village Utilities is aware that grinder pump alarms are going off island-wide. The alarm should shut off automatically when the flood water recedes. If your alarm is going off at your residence, please limit your water usage (no running of dishwashers and washing machines and no long showers).
Road Conditions
Roads throughout Brunswick County remain flooded, and some are still not passable. For mainland roads, the two most reliable sources for current conditions are Brunswick Sheriff’s Office social media and NCDOT’s website. Southport is advising folks to stay home and off the roads. Seeking alternate transport off the island and into Southport is not advised and public transport to the ferry landing is not an option. The Village will continue to share info and photos about island road conditions on social media and/or the media webpage.
Village Offices Closed
Village offices and the Island Package Center/Post Office are closed today, office staff are working remotely. While our office staff are working remotely, you may contact them via phone or email (directory) Reopening tomorrow will depend on ferry service and road conditions.
Damage Assessments
Damage assessments for FEMA public assistance are being made for Brunswick County to include Bald Head Island. The Village’s Development Services Director was out this morning assessing properties and reported flooded garages and water under some elevated homes. No elevated primary living spaces showed signs of flooding. The properties affected are most if not all, repetitive loss properties. Repetitive loss property owners are aware of flood damage from previous events.
State of Emergency
Bald Head Island, Brunswick County, Southport, and several other area communities remain under a State of Emergency. The Village’s SOE does not include a curfew; however, a curfew may be in place again for Southport and Brunswick County again tonight. The restriction of ICE vehicles on the island remains in place.
Ferry & Barge Suspended
The following is the latest announcement from BHI Transportation, Inc.
Due to extensive road closures throughout the region and unsafe commute conditions following yesterday’s storm, ferry service is anticipated to remain suspended throughout Tuesday (9/17). We will continue to monitor road conditions and accessibility to the terminal and will resume operations as soon as it is safe to do so. Please continue to monitor our website and the mobile app for updates.
The barge is also suspended today.
Updates on Social Media & Webpage
Please continue to check our social media and/or media webpage for moment-by-moment updates as we recover from this event.