BRUNSWICK COUNTY: Schools closed for remainder of week

Sep. 3--BRUNSWICK COUNTY -- Due to Gov. Roy Cooper's mandatory evacuation of coastal areas, the Brunswick County Government Complex will be closed Wednesday. Government offices were already slated to close Thursday and Friday ahead of Hurricane Dorian's expected arrival.

In addition, Brunswick County Schools joined other local districts in canceling class. The district announced that schools will be closed to students Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Wednesday will be an optional workday for staff, but schools will also be closed to employees Thursday and Friday.

Athletic activities for the remainder of the week are canceled. A school board meeting scheduled for Tuesday night will be rescheduled.

Coastal and inland Brunswick County towns began issuing states of emergency Tuesday.

A county-wide state of emergency went into effect at 7 a.m. Tuesday, according to the Brunswick County government. As of Tuesday morning, Leland, Belville, Southport, Oak Island, Boiling Spring Lakes and Bald Head Island had also announced states of emergency.

Brunswick County Emergency Services announced it would open two shelters at 8 a.m. Wednesday:

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North Brunswick High School: 114 Scorpion Drive, Leland

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West Brunswick High School: 550 Whiteville Road, Shallotte

The shelters will open at the same time a voluntary evacuation order goes into effect for unincorporated areas of the county.

Both shelters will be pet-friendly, with meals available at 4 p.m. Wednesday. Blankets will be provided at the shelters, but those who plan to stay there are asked to bring their medications, clothing, hygiene items, pet food and supplies, baby supplies and other essentials.

Staff is also working to open another pet friendly shelter at South Brunswick High School.

Alcohol, weapons, mattresses and other furniture will not be allowed in the shelters, county officials wrote.

Brunswick County government offices will be closed Thursday and Friday as well as Brunswick Transit.

Bald Head Island issued a voluntary evacuation order, while Oak Island declared a mandatory evacuation for visitors and a voluntary evacuation for low-lying areas.

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Southport also issued a voluntary evacuation order for low-lying and waterfront properties. The city announced its Emergency Operations Center would open at 8 a.m. Wednesday.

Leland Town Hall will close at 5 p.m. Wednesday. The Leland Cultural Arts Center will close at 9 p.m. Tuesday.

"As you likely already know, the time to prepare for a hurricane is not when a hurricane is at your doorstep," a news release quoted Leland Mayor Brenda Bozeman.

"But if you don't already have a plan in place, now is the time to get started. Discuss with your loved ones your plan of action for evacuation and make sure you stock up on emergency supplies, such as batteries, water and non-perishable food items. A good rule of thumb is to stock up on enough necessities to last three to five days."

Reporter Cammie Bellamy can be reached at 910-343-2339 or [email protected].

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