Experts Urge Preparedness as Hurricane Season Approaches for Cape Fear Region
As hurricane season approaches, experts emphasize the need for preparedness in Cape Fear, which hasn’t faced a Category 3 hurricane since 1996. Meteorologist Lee Haywood and local authorities stress the importance of evacuation orders. Historical hurricanes illustrate the unpredictable nature of storms; preparedness is essential. The local ethos reminds residents to prepare for the worst while hoping for the best.
As hurricane season approaches, experts emphasize the necessity of preparedness, especially regarding the Cape Fear region, which has not encountered a Category 3 hurricane or higher since 1996, according to WWAY chief meteorologist Lee Haywood. “We’ve had a lot of storms, but we really haven’t had one that absolutely blasted the area,” Haywood noted, urging residents to stay vigilant as the area is overdue for a significant hurricane event.
Haywood was among the speakers at the City of Southport Hurricane Expo held on May 13, sharing the stage with WWAY evening anchor Jeff Rivenbark and Southport Fire Chief Charles Drew. The expo, located at the Southport Community Building, provided crucial information for hurricane preparedness, alongside free giveaways. Local institutions like Dosher Memorial Hospital, as well as the Southport Police and Fire Departments, set up display tables to educate the community.
This expo was held in anticipation of a May 22 press conference by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, focused on the outlook for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. “We love living here on the coast, and our slogan for WWAY is, ‘This is the Place,’” Rivenbark stated, reflecting local pride. He pointed out the region’s beauty but also acknowledged the dangers posed by hurricanes and tropical storms, underscoring the need for community awareness and preparedness.
The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30. Speakers highlighted that residents should heed evacuation orders seriously, as delays could jeopardize safety. Rivenbark stressed, “If you have been given an evacuation notice to leave your area, you should shore up that home as much as you can… Once the flood levels start coming up, it’s going to be really hard for these first responders to get to you, and you’re also endangering their lives trying to get to you.”
Chief Drew echoed this sentiment, stating, “If we tell you to evacuate, there’s a possibility that if a storm does hit here and it intensifies… we will not be able to get to you during that storm.” He recalled his decades of experience in emergency services, including responding to every significant storm in the past 33 years. Drew also warned that the storm category does not always indicate potential damage; he recounted the devastation caused by Category 1 hurricanes, stressing how other factors such as tides can drastically influence the storm’s impact.
Drew reminisced about the catastrophic Hurricane Hazel in 1954, recounting how it transformed the Southport waterfront. “The whole waterfront was demolished,” he explained. He further emphasized, “the moon and the tides play a big part in hurricanes.”
Remarkably, storms do not even need a designated name to wreak havoc. Haywood referenced Potential Tropical Cyclone Eight, which caused severe damage in September without being officially named. He noted how various storms can exhibit different hazards, from formidable storm surges to tornadoes associated with tropical systems. “Some produce extremely dangerous storm surges,” he highlighted, mentioning that Cape Fear experienced prolonged tornado warnings during certain storms.
Hurricane Florence, a prime example of how unpredictable hurricanes can be, made landfall in 2018. While initially a Category 2 hurricane, it weakened yet left a trail of destruction, disrupting Southport’s water supply. Drew shared that they experienced over 40 water rescues during the catastrophic event. “I slept in my office at the fire station for nine nights and never went home,” he added, detailing the relentless rainfall.
Southport’s fire headquarters houses a top-notch emergency operations center that keeps a close watch on tropical developments. As the hurricane season looms, Drew succinctly summarized their ethos: “Our motto is: we prepare for the worst and we always hope for the best.”
With the hurricane season approaching, residents of Cape Fear are urged to prepare adequately for potential storms. Meteorologists and local authorities stress the importance of adhering to evacuation orders and being aware of the unique risks associated with each storm. Historical data reminds us that categories can be deceiving, and even lesser storms can lead to significant damage. As preparations commence, the overarching sentiment remains the same: be ready for the worst while hoping for the best.
Original Source: stateportpilot.com
