WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – Authorities are taking action after severe weather hit Cape Fear on Monday, September 17.

Chief Justice Paul Newby has declared catastrophic conditions as a result of extreme weather and flood warnings in southeastern North Carolina.

This decision extends the statute of limitations for filing documents and other legal actions in Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover and Pender counties.

You can read the full decision below.

Governor Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency for Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus and New Hanover counties on September 17.

“This emergency will help counties impacted by heavy rain and flooding recover from this storm,” Cooper said. “I urge North Carolinians across the state to continue to exercise caution as many roads remain dangerous.”

This action activates the State Emergency Operations Plan, which allows the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety to take action to keep people safe.

“Brunswick County has declared a local emergency, along with the counties of Boiling Springs Lakes, Oak Island, Southport, Saint James, Sandy Creek, Bolivia, Bald Head Island and Varnamtown. Shelters in Brunswick County have opened at South Brunswick Middle School and Bolivia Elementary School. In neighboring New Hanover County, Carolina Beach and Kure Beach have declared an emergency, and yesterday the American Red Cross assisted displaced residents in Carolina Beach at the Pleasure Island Recreation Center, who were then taken to a local hotel for the night,” Cooper’s announcement said.

Copyright 2024 WECT. All rights reserved.