Important Severe Weather Updates
Last Page Update on 8/8/24
Minimal Impacts to Oak Island, Caswell Beach and Southport
After impacting the coast of Florida earlier in the week, Tropical Storm Debby made a second landfall near Bulls Bay, South Carolina, around 2:00 a.m. on August 8 before passing by our area. Debby is accelerating north, but continued to impact the Carolinas today. While Oak Island, Caswell Beach and Southport all experienced some standing water and localized flooding as expected, local impacts from the storm appear minimal at this time.
Oak Island Accommodations' General Manager Joel DeMonbreun was out bright and early this morning to survey the island along with other OIA staff members. With over 16 years of experience at the company, he's been through many tropical storms and hurricanes over the seasons. He reports that while they encountered some areas of standing water, town officials were already actively pumping problem areas, and no damages were evident throughout the island.
"I was elated to see the impacts were much less than we expected based on previous storms," states DeMonbreun, "and vacationers were already out and about walking along the beach!"
On the other side of the bridge, an official update from the City of Southport published this morning shares that city streets are passable, with some ponding on the roads, though city offices and parks remain closed until further notice.
We are so thankful that impacts from the storm were minimal! Current weather forecasts do call for continued periods of rain through the weekend, so those already in or coming to the area should remain aware of changing conditions, especially in regards to flooding and road closures.
Post Storm Drone Footage and Local Webcams
For property owners and guests not in the area this week, the Town of Oak Island's drone services division provided six videos that document conditions on the island both before and after the storm. Area webcams also provide a digital link to the area, many of which showed a return to blue skies in the early evening hours of August 8.
Travel Remains Hazardous in Some Areas
Local TV stations WECT and WWAY report that our area received significant rainfall, but the island's totals are much lower than some other parts of the Carolinas. For those leaving or coming to our area, check out road conditions using this real-time road condition map developed for the North Carolina Department of Transportation before you hit the road.
WATCHES & WARNINGS
PERSONAL POST STORM ACTIONS
The Town of Oak Island advises the following for those in our area:
- DO NOT drive or walk / play in floodwaters of ANY depth! Flooded areas can contain saltwater, which can permanently damage or disable vehicles, especially EVs and LSVs.
- Floodwaters can also contain harmful elements that can be dangerous, such as sharp debris, tripping hazards and even harmful bacteria.
