Though the latest forecasts moved Hurricane Matthew farther east by the time it comes near the Wilmington area, the storm's impending arrival is still making an impact as residents and businesses keep a wary eye on its track.
The storm, forecasted to bring hurricane conditions to parts of Florida on Thursday, is expected to pass by southeastern North Carolina on Saturday and Sunday nights, according to the National Weather Service, which in its update Wednesday morning, also warned of increasing rain chances ahead of the storm and possible flash flooding over the weekend.
“A lot of uncertainty exists with the track and the subsequent level of impacts so please do not let your guard down as the track could change,” the
weather service’s report stated. “In general, low confidence exists until the computer models gain a consistent resolution of the track with successive runs.”
But the uncertainty was enough to affect the Wilmington area in the days leading up the weekend.
A number of large events, including Riverfest and Pleasure Island Seafood Blues & Jazz Festival that draw outside visitors, have called off plans for the weekend.
Delta Air Lines and American Airlines on Wednesday extended their fee waivers for those flying through Wilmington International Airport who need to change flights in the coming days.
And as grocery stores and gas stations are seeing a bump in business, local governments and institutions are putting their emergency preparation plans in place. New Hanover Regional Medical Center, for example, began bringing in extra food and supplies and looking at staffing levels for the weekend.
“At this point, our outpatient facilities will continue to be open, business as usual on Friday. We may reschedule some elective procedures for a later date and will be in contact with affected patients. Our emergency departments, including Emergency Department-North, will be caring for patients throughout the storm,” the hospital said in a news release, adding that the NHRMC Foundation Pink Ribbon Project party fundraiser Friday night is being rescheduled though its lunch event Thursday continues as planned.
Voluntary evacuation plans went into place Wednesday for coastal towns such as Bald Head Island and Topsail Beach.
“We received a more favorable model forecast today, but we continue to prepare for a Category 2 hurricane,” Pender County Emergency Manager Tom Collins said in a statement.
University of North Carolina Wilmington is requiring students to leave campus by noon Thursday and helping them with arrangements to help find them places to go if needed, according to university officials.
The university will remain operating Thursday, officials said, and plans for the Swain Center’s annual economic Outlook conference Thursday morning have not changed.
