Town of Ocean Isle Beach
Recommended Hurricane
Safety Precautions


THE OCEAN ISLE BEACH EMERGENCY PLAN will help save your life, but you must help. Please follow these safety precautions during hurricane emergencies:

1. Enter each hurricane season prepared. Every June through November, re-check your supply of boards, tools, batteries, non-perishable foods, and other equipment you will need if a hurricane strikes Ocean Isle Beach.
2. When you hear the first tropical cyclone advisory, listen for future messages (Radio 162.550 MHz, TV Channel 41); this will prepare you for a hurricane emergency well in advance of the issuance of watches and warnings.
3. When Ocean Isle Beach is covered by a Hurricane watch, continue normal activities, but stay tuned to radio or television for all NOAA National Weather Service advisories. Remember: a hurricane watch means possible danger; if the danger materializes, a hurricane warning will be used. Meanwhile, keep alert. Ignore rumors. Fill vehicles with fuel.
4. When we receive a HURRICANE WARNING (landfall expected within 24 hours) plan your time before the storm arrives.
   1. Board up windows or protect them with storm shutters or tape. (If doors sometimes blow open, try dead bolts or slide bolts.)
   2. Secure outdoor objects that might be blown away or uprooted. Garbage cans and racks, garden tools, toys, signs, porch furniture, and a number of other harmless items become missiles of destruction in hurricane winds. Anchor them or store them inside before the storm strikes.
   3. Secure valuables and personal papers. Put irreplaceable documents in waterproof containers so you can take them with you when you evacuate.
   4. Fill bathtubs, sinks, and jugs with clean water in case regular water supplies are cut off.  Don't forget the water heater is an additional source of water.
   5. Stock your car with nonperishable foods, a plastic container of water, blankets, first aid kit, flashlights, dry clothing, and any special medication needed by your family.

EVACUATION ROUTE

1. If you must evacuate... When the Mayor orders evacuation, do so promptly. Anyone refusing to leave shall be reported to the Chief of Police. At that time, a policeman will be dispatched to the residence.
2. Before you Evacuate...Turn off water (outside cutoff), turn off gas (at tank), turn off electricity, and lock windows and doors. Check to see that you have done everything to protect your property from damage and loss. Don't forget those irreplaceable papers.
3. Evacuation route...Cross bridge, straight through traffic light, right on US 17 North Bypass, exit onto NC 130 West, turn right into West Brunswick High School.  This is a designated shelter for our area.

IF YOU GO TO SHELTER...

1. If you go to a shelter...Take blankets/sleeping bags, flashlights, special dietary foods, infant needs, and lightweight folding chairs.

   1. Register every person arriving with you at shelter.
   2. Do not take pets, alcoholic beverages or weapons of any kind in shelter.
   3. Carry along survival supplies: A first aid kit; canned/dried food, bottled water, utensils, extra family medication, prescriptions, spare eyeglasses, hearing aid, batteries, and warm protective clothing.
   4. Keep important papers such as Driver's License (or other identification), insurance policies, property inventory, and special medical information with you at all times.
   5. Once in a shelter or safer area, stay there until local authorities advise you it is safe to return to the beach.
      
      EMERGENCY  SHELTERS: Evacuation  shelters  are  provided in the ten (10) schools in Brunswick County.  The first shelter to open would be West Brunswick High School.  These shelters are maintained and stocked in accordance with the Brunswick County Hurricane Emergency Plan.
      
      PRIMARY
      West Brunswick High School         
      1320 spaces
      550 Whiteville Road
      Shallotte, NC  28470
      
      SECONDARY
      Shallotte Middle School                       
      1000 spaces
      225 Village Road
      Shallotte, NC  28470
      
      Union Primary School                           
      1018 spaces
      180 Union School Road NW
      Shallotte, NC  28470
      
      

AFTER THE HURRICANE

1. The Town will use a voice mail message (579-2166) and our Website (www.oibgov.com) to give the evacuation status of the beach and it will be updated whenever re-entry information becomes available.
2. After the hurricane...Delay return until authorized by the Mayor.
   1. Property owners with current Ocean Isle Beach auto re-entry stickers will regain entry to the island before those who do not possess a decal.
   2. To avoid congestion and interference with damage assessment and repair crews, PLEASE STAY ON YOUR PROPERTY - Do not go sight-seeing.
   3. Watch out for loose or dangling power lines, and report them immediately to proper authorities.
   4. Food may spoil if refrigerator if power is off more than a few hours. Freezers will keep food several days if doors are not opened after a power failure, but do not refreeze food once it begins to thaw.
   5. Notify your insurance agent or broker of any losses and leave word where you can be contacted.
   6. Make temporary repairs to protect property from further damage or looting. Use only reputable contractors (sometimes in the chaotic days following a disaster, unscrupulous operators will prey on the unsuspecting) - check with the South Brunswick Islands Chamber of Commerce (754-6644) or the Ocean Isle Beach Town Hall (910-579-2166) for a listing of registered and licensed contractors. Keep all receipts for material used.
   7. Hardship cases will be settled first by insurance representatives. Don't assume your settlement will be the same as your neighbor's. Policy forms differ, and storm damage is often erratic.

KEEP BASIC SUPPLIES HANDY for all emergencies:
EMERGENCY LIGHT SUPPLIES like flashlights with extra batteries, lanterns, candles, and matches.

PORTABLE RADIO and extra batteries.
FIRST AID KIT containing bandaids, aspirin, and any medications that must be taken regularly.

BABY SUPPLIES such as food, canned milk or formula, disposable diapers, etc.
FOOD that doesn't need to be refrigerated or cooked, such as canned meats, vegetables, fruits, juices, etc. Store enough for several days. Don't forget the pets.
WATER stored in plastic jugs or other covered containers. Plan on one quart per person per day for drinking.

DO YOU HAVE FLOOD INSURANCE?
Typical homeowner (or commercial business) insurance policies vary greatly among private insurance companies. Most policies at least partially cover fire, wind, theft, and liability on a building and it contents. If damage is caused by rising water due to a coastal storm, erosion, stream flooding, or ponding storm runoff, YOU ARE NOT COVERED BY YOUR HOMEOWNER POLICY. If you want flood insurance coverage, you must obtain a separate flood insurance policy.
Although all homeowner policies are different, all flood insurance policies are the same. They are all underwritten and controlled by the federal government.
Currently Ocean Isle Beach is covered by three (3) different Flood Hazard Areas: Zone AE which is the 100-year area with the base flood elevation determined; Zone VE - coastal flooding with velocity hazard (wave action) base flood elevations determined; and Zone X, areas of moderate or minimal hazard from the principal source of flood in the area.  However, buildings in this zone could be flooded by severe, concentrated rainfall coupled with inadequate local drainage systems.
Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) are available at the Ocean Isle Beach Town Hall so your insurance agent can calculate flood insurance rates for new and old buildings.
Before you do any improvements on any house or property, contact the Ocean Isle Beach Planning and Inspection Department. (Permits may be required.) They can also provide you with important information on retrofitting your house (especially preFIRM) or how to protect the lower floor.
The Town has a list of contractors and consultants knowledgeable or experienced in retrofitting techniques and construction. The Building Inspector will furnish information to help select a qualified contractor and to advise on what recourses are available when someone is dissatisfied with a contractor's performance.
The Building Inspector will make site visits upon request to review flooding, drainage, and sewer problems and provide recommendations to a property owner. The Inspector will also provide assistance and advice in retrofitting techniques to lessen the possibility of flood damage.

SPECIAL PERMITS
Any development, regardless of cost, below the Base Flood Elevation will need a local Flood Enforcement Permit. Contact the Building Inspection Department for more details. In addition, report illegal Flood Plain development to 579-3469.

SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT REQUIREMENTS
If the cost of reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvements to a building equals or exceeds 50% of the building market value, then the building must meet the same construction requirements as a new building. Buildings damaged more than 50% of their market value must also be brought up to current standards.

FLOOD HAZARD
The primary flood hazard at Ocean Isle Beach is overwash from the Atlantic Ocean caused by hurricanes. Hugo (September 1989), Fran (September 1996), and Floyd (September 1999) are the most recent flood events that caused damage to Ocean Isle Beach. The Atlantic Ocean may also flood the special flood hazard area during astronomically caused higher-than-usual tides.
Interested parties may obtain information about Ocean Isle Beach Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) - whether a property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area, which zone the property is in, and the base flood elevation-by contacting Town Hall at 579-3469.

HOUSE NUMBERS
House numbers are very important.
With 911 in service, it is imperative that house numbers be CLEARLY VISIBLE FROM THE STREET AND OCEANFRONT especially at night. Think of it this way - if you have an emergency in your home, but the emergency vehicle cannot find your house quickly because of numbers not being visible from the road; sometimes minutes, even seconds, can mean the difference between life and death. In addition to the street side, all structures located on the beachfront shall display their street number on the oceanfront side of the structure. These numbers shall be placed on the beach accessway.
House numbers on beach accesses provide for quicker response to shoreline emergencies.

All numbers shall be no less than three and three-quarters inches high and no more than seven inches high.
 

DRAINAGE SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
There exists within the Town a system of drainage channels, which is necessary to help prevent localized flooding problems and to help remove stormwater from streets and roadways. This drainage system is maintained by the Town of Ocean Isle Beach. No person shall deposit any material within the system or otherwise interfere with the functioning of the drainage system.