New Hanover County to close offices, attractions & vaccination sites at 4 pm in advance of severe weather, residents should be on alert
Posted March 18, 2021 at 12:08 pm Category: Environmental Management • News Release
NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC – Based on the latest forecast from the National Weather Service, New Hanover County is expecting the potential for severe storms this afternoon and evening that could bring strong winds, tornadoes, and hail. In preparation for this storm and to ensure the safety of county staff and residents, New Hanover County offices and attractions will close today, Thursday, March 18, at 4 p.m. This includes the COVID-19 call center and all vaccination sites.
Residents who have an appointment at a vaccination site today after 4 p.m. are being contacted by the call center with this information and to reschedule their appointment. If you have questions about your vaccine appointment, please call 910-798-6800.
New Hanover and Pender County Courts will also close at 4 p.m. today in advance of the storm.
Current models show storms moving into our area late this afternoon, with the intensity of impacts (including wind gusts of 60 mph, large hail, and the possibility of tornadoes) around 7 to 8 p.m., and then the storm is expected to move out of our area sometime between 8 and 9 p.m. The confidence of severe weather is high, so it is important that residents stay vigilant, monitor weather updates and alerts, and have an emergency plan in place.
Here are a few important reminders:
- During a severe storm, the safest location is an interior room or closet away from windows. Make sure you know where that location is in the event of a tornado warning, and go there immediately.
- Have a weather alert method so you are notified of tornado warnings and severe thunderstorm warnings. That can include a NOAA Weather Radio, Emergency Alert System (broadcast over your cable, antenna tv, satellite, and wired broadband cable services), cell phone weather apps with real-time alerts, and Wireless Emergency Alerts (broadcast through your cell phone).
- If your power goes out, report the outage to your power company, stay away from any downed power lines, keep freezer and refrigerator doors closed to preserve food, and do not operate generators inside your home or in an enclosed space.
Review the National Weather Services’ severe weather checklist here, and follow @NewHanoverCo on Twitter and Facebook for additional updates.
