name: SHELTERS, Red Cross/FEMA, National Shelter System (List of Open Shelters/Updates) NC, INDEX -> SHELTERS, Red Cross/FEMA, National Shelter System (List of Open Shelters/Updates) NC

name: 00 Red Cross/FEMA, National Shelter System (List of Open Shelters/Updates) NC, INDEX -> SHELTERS, Red Cross/FEMA, National Shelter System (List of Open Shelters/Updates) NC, INDEX
notes: The State of North Carolina and the American Red Cross have collaborated to provide a public view of current shelters listed in the Red Cross National Shelter System. This information is updated as regularly as possible and may be immediately out of date. Due to the complexity of a disaster response, anyone who uses this information should be prepared to make adjustments to their immediate plans. To see current open shelters in a particular county, go to: https://northcarolina-nss.communityos.org/cms/ DISCLAIMER: Portions of the information contained on this website may be inaccurate or outdated at any given time. Neither the American Red Cross nor the State of North Carolina make any claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, reliability or adequacy of the contents of this website. The American Red Cross and the State of North Carolina specifically disclaim any and all liability that may arise from use of this information, or that may arise with respect to any websites maintained by third parties and linked to or from this website. Neither the American Red Cross nor the State of North Carolina endorse any content, viewpoints, products or services on websites linked to or from this website. This website is provided on an as is basis without warranty of any kind, express or implied. ->
website: https://northcarolina-nss.communityos.org/cms/ -> http://app.redcross.org/nss-app/

name: Red Cross/FEMA, National Shelter System (List of Open Shelters/Updates) NC, INDEX -> 00 Red Cross/FEMA, National Shelter System (List of Open Shelters/Updates) NC, INDEX

name: Red Cross/FEMA, National Shelter System (List of Open Shelters/Updates) NC, INDEX (Thurs 11 pm Sept 2, 16 SHELTERS OPEN) -> Red Cross/FEMA, National Shelter System (List of Open Shelters/Updates) NC, INDEX

name: Red Cross/FEMA, National Shelter System (List of Open Shelters/Updates) NC, INDEX (Thurs 7:45 pm Sept 2, 16 SHELTERS OPEN) -> Red Cross/FEMA, National Shelter System (List of Open Shelters/Updates) NC, INDEX (Thurs 11 pm Sept 2, 16 SHELTERS OPEN)

name: Red Cross/FEMA, National Shelter System (List of Open Shelters/Updates) NC, INDEX (7:45 pm Sept 2, 16 SHELTERS OPEN) -> Red Cross/FEMA, National Shelter System (List of Open Shelters/Updates) NC, INDEX (Thurs 7:45 pm Sept 2, 16 SHELTERS OPEN)

name: Red Cross/FEMA, National Shelter System (Open Shelters/Updates) NC, INDEX (7:45 pm Sept 2, 16 SHELTERS OPEN) -> Red Cross/FEMA, National Shelter System (List of Open Shelters/Updates) NC, INDEX (7:45 pm Sept 2, 16 SHELTERS OPEN)

name: Red Cross/FEMA, National Shelter System (Open Shelters/Updates) NC, INDEX (1 SHELTER OPEN) -> Red Cross/FEMA, National Shelter System (Open Shelters/Updates) NC, INDEX (7:45 pm Sept 2, 16 SHELTERS OPEN)

name: Red Cross/FEMA, National Shelter System (Open Shelters/Updates) NC, INDEX (Wednesday 3:01 am NO SHELTERS OPEN) -> Red Cross/FEMA, National Shelter System (Open Shelters/Updates) NC, INDEX (1 SHELTER OPEN)
status: Standby -> Open

name: Red Cross, National Shelter System (Open Shelters/Updates) NC, INDEX -> Red Cross/FEMA, National Shelter System (Open Shelters/Updates) NC, INDEX (Wednesday 3:01 am NO SHELTERS OPEN)

notes: The State of North Carolina and the American Red Cross have collaborated to provide a public view of current shelters listed in the Red Cross National Shelter System. This information is updated as regularly as possible and may be immediately out of date. Due to the complexity of a disaster response, anyone who uses this information should be prepared to make adjustments to their immediate plans. To see current open shelters in a particular county, click on web link provided above. DISCLAIMER: Portions of the information contained on this website may be inaccurate or outdated at any given time. Neither the American Red Cross nor the State of North Carolina make any claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, reliability or adequacy of the contents of this website. The American Red Cross and the State of North Carolina specifically disclaim any and all liability that may arise from use of this information, or that may arise with respect to any websites maintained by third parties and linked to or from this website. Neither the American Red Cross nor the State of North Carolina endorse any content, viewpoints, products or services on websites linked to or from this website. This website is provided on an as is basis without warranty of any kind, express or implied. -> The State of North Carolina and the American Red Cross have collaborated to provide a public view of current shelters listed in the Red Cross National Shelter System. This information is updated as regularly as possible and may be immediately out of date. Due to the complexity of a disaster response, anyone who uses this information should be prepared to make adjustments to their immediate plans. To see current open shelters in a particular county, go to: https://northcarolina-nss.communityos.org/cms/ DISCLAIMER: Portions of the information contained on this website may be inaccurate or outdated at any given time. Neither the American Red Cross nor the State of North Carolina make any claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, reliability or adequacy of the contents of this website. The American Red Cross and the State of North Carolina specifically disclaim any and all liability that may arise from use of this information, or that may arise with respect to any websites maintained by third parties and linked to or from this website. Neither the American Red Cross nor the State of North Carolina endorse any content, viewpoints, products or services on websites linked to or from this website. This website is provided on an as is basis without warranty of any kind, express or implied.

name: Red Cross, National Shelter System (Open Shelters//Updates) NC, INDEX -> Red Cross, National Shelter System (Open Shelters/Updates) NC, INDEX

parish: -> Statewide
name: Red Cross/County/State Run Evacuation Shelters Status/Updates, NC (INDEX) -> Red Cross, National Shelter System (Open Shelters//Updates) NC, INDEX
notes: Onslow County Board of Commissioners has declared a State of Emergency effective as of 1:30 pm on September 4, 2008. By this order, a curfew will be in effect from 7:30 pm on Friday, September 5, 2008 to sunrise on Saturday, September 6, 2008. Only law enforcement, emergency services personnel, emergency utility workers, elected and appointed county and municipal officials and persons on official travel between home and business or for medial emergencies. With the exception of businesses or establishments that provide emergency services, all offices, business establishments and other places to or from which people may travel or at which they may congregate are strongly encouraged to be closed during the restricted period. Onslow County ABC stores will close at 7:00 pm on Friday, September 5, 2008. The Red Cross will open six (6) shelters in Onslow County at 1:00 pm on Friday, September 5, 2008 to provide safe shelter for individuals and families who evacuate from risk-prone areas in the path of Hurricane Hanna. The shelters will be located at the following site: • Dixon Middle School • Swansboro High School • Richlands High School • Southwest Middle School • Jacksonville Commons Middle School (Pet Shelter) • White Oak High School Please keep reading for important community information…. The Animal Shelter will be operated at the Jacksonville Commons Middle School and is limited to domestic pets. Pets must be in carriers with current vaccinations and accompanied by their owners. The Onslow County Animal Response Team will be on site. Families and individuals are advised to bring along basic emergency and personal items such as pillows and bedding items, toiletries (toothbrush & toothpaste), essential medications and other health related items, extra clothing and a quiet toy or activities for children. Medications requiring refrigeration should be brought in a cooler or thermos. Alcoholic beverages and weapons are not allowed. Stay tuned to media outlets, G10 Television and the County website for up-to-date information. Citizens can call 938-2059 for additional information. =========================================================================== Sunset Beach orders mandatory evacuation Schools closed, shelters to open From staff reports Published: Thursday, September 4, 2008 at 6:34 p.m. Last Modified: Friday, September 5, 2008 at 11:36 a.m. Officials across Southeastern North Carolina closed schools and began to open emergency shelters Friday as Tropical Storm Hanna moves closer to striking the coast. Shelter locations opening Friday New Hanover County (opening at noon) Eaton Elementary School , 6701 Gordon Road , Wilmington . Johnson Elementary School , 1100 McRae St. , Wilmington Noble Middle School (Pet friendly), 6520 Market St. , Wilmington Brunswick County (opening at 9 a.m.) North Brunswick High School , 1395 Scorpion Drive , Leland West Brunswick High School , 550 Whiteville Road NW , Shallotte Pender County (opening at 4 p.m.) Topsail Middle School , 17385 U.S. 17, Hampstead Malpass Corner Elementary, 4922 Malpass Corner Road Both New Hanover County and Brunswick County declared states of emergency at Friday and began to open emergency shelters, officials announced. Pender County will also open shelters, but has not declared a state of emergency. Sunset Beach in Brunswick County imposed a mandatory evacuation of the town by 2 p.m. Friday so the N.C. Department of Transportation can secure the swing bridge leading to the island. People are being strongly encouraged but not forced to leave the island, said Scott Garner, Brunswick County fire marshal. Once the bridge is closed, nobody can get on or off the island, he said. In addition, voluntary evacuations have been authorized in New Hanover, parts of Brunswick County and the Pender County beach towns. Evacuation is suggested for residents living on the beach, in a mobile home or in low-lying or flood-prone areas. Schools in New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties canceled classes for Friday. Three shelters will open in New Hanover County at noon, including one pet-friendly location at Noble Middle School . Pender County will open two shelters and Brunswick opened two locations at 9 a.m. New Hanover County opened its emergency operations center and emergency public information center Friday morning. Residents can contact the public information center at 798-6800. Warren Lee, director of emergency management for New Hanover County , said residents will be admitted to shelters on a first-come, first-served basis. While dinner will be provided at the shelter on Friday night, residents should eat something before they come because no lunch will be provided. Lee said they cannot guarantee everyone a cot at the shelters, so residents should bring a blanket and pillow and something to entertain themselves and their children. Pet owners seeking shelter should head to Noble. The shelter has capacity for 80 dogs and 36 cats, Lee said. Residents who don’t own pets should seek shelter at the other two locations. County officials plan to make a decision Friday on when to close the Snow’s Cut Bridge because of high winds. Lee said the bridge will likely be closed late Friday and early Saturday. The Cape Fear Memorial Bridge is expected to remain open, according to a county news release. The Brunswick County towns of Belville, Caswell Beach , Calabash and Ocean Isle Beach have scheduled voluntary evacuations Friday. A voluntary evacuation was scheduled for Holden Beach at 10:30 a.m. Thursday. In Pender County , Surf City and Topsail Beach officials said residents can evacuate if they want to. Other area institutions are closing. University of North Carolina Wilmington is cancelling classes Friday, though student housing will remain open during the storm. Cape Fear Community College will close at 3 p.m. Friday and remain closed Saturday. The Port of Wilmington plans to close at noon Friday to commercial traffic. At Wilmington International Airport , general aircraft are being tied down. Area hospitals are preparing for the storm. New Hanover Regional has begun discharging patients prepping teams to stay overnight at the main hospital on S. 17th Street and at Cape Fear Hospital . Brunswick Community Hospital plans to operate normally unless conditions worsen. Outpatient services scheduled after noon at Pender Memorial Hospital and Pender Health & Diagnostics in Rocky Point will be suspended through the weekend. On Thursday, New Hanover County officials said residents should take the storm seriously, but not panic over a storm that’s expected to move quickly through the area. It will also be good practice for future storms. “This is a good exercise for all of us,” said Mayor Mac Montgomery of Kure Beach . “I’ve talked to people all day long and they are taking this very seriously.” Staff writers Chris Mazzolini, Patrick Gannon, Vicky Eckenrode, Ana Ribeiro, Shelby Sebens, Shannan Bowen, and Tyra M. Vaughn contributed to this report. -> The State of North Carolina and the American Red Cross have collaborated to provide a public view of current shelters listed in the Red Cross National Shelter System. This information is updated as regularly as possible and may be immediately out of date. Due to the complexity of a disaster response, anyone who uses this information should be prepared to make adjustments to their immediate plans. To see current open shelters in a particular county, click on web link provided above. DISCLAIMER: Portions of the information contained on this website may be inaccurate or outdated at any given time. Neither the American Red Cross nor the State of North Carolina make any claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, reliability or adequacy of the contents of this website. The American Red Cross and the State of North Carolina specifically disclaim any and all liability that may arise from use of this information, or that may arise with respect to any websites maintained by third parties and linked to or from this website. Neither the American Red Cross nor the State of North Carolina endorse any content, viewpoints, products or services on websites linked to or from this website. This website is provided on an as is basis without warranty of any kind, express or implied.
region: Coastal -> Statewide
organization: Evacuation Shelter -> Red Cross Shelter Updates
areas_served: NC State -> NC, Statewide
eligibility: Hurricane Evacuees -> Hurricane/Disaster Evacuees
is_fee_required: N/A -> No
cat_notes: -> Moved old notes 1/31/09 LTel: Onslow County Board of Commissioners has declared a State of Emergency effective as of 1:30 pm on September 4, 2008. By this order, a curfew will be in effect from 7:30 pm on Friday, September 5, 2008 to sunrise on Saturday, September 6, 2008. Only law enforcement, emergency services personnel, emergency utility workers, elected and appointed county and municipal officials and persons on official travel between home and business or for medial emergencies. With the exception of businesses or establishments that provide emergency services, all offices, business establishments and other places to or from which people may travel or at which they may congregate are strongly encouraged to be closed during the restricted period. Onslow County ABC stores will close at 7:00 pm on Friday, September 5, 2008. The Red Cross will open six (6) shelters in Onslow County at 1:00 pm on Friday, September 5, 2008 to provide safe shelter for individuals and families who evacuate from risk-prone areas in the path of Hurricane Hanna. The shelters will be located at the following site: • Dixon Middle School • Swansboro High School • Richlands High School • Southwest Middle School • Jacksonville Commons Middle School (Pet Shelter) • White Oak High School Please keep reading for important community information…. The Animal Shelter will be operated at the Jacksonville Commons Middle School and is limited to domestic pets. Pets must be in carriers with current vaccinations and accompanied by their owners. The Onslow County Animal Response Team will be on site. Families and individuals are advised to bring along basic emergency and personal items such as pillows and bedding items, toiletries (toothbrush & toothpaste), essential medications and other health related items, extra clothing and a quiet toy or activities for children. Medications requiring refrigeration should be brought in a cooler or thermos. Alcoholic beverages and weapons are not allowed. Stay tuned to media outlets, G10 Television and the County website for up-to-date information. Citizens can call 938-2059 for additional information. =========================================================================== Sunset Beach orders mandatory evacuation Schools closed, shelters to open From staff reports Published: Thursday, September 4, 2008 at 6:34 p.m. Last Modified: Friday, September 5, 2008 at 11:36 a.m. Officials across Southeastern North Carolina closed schools and began to open emergency shelters Friday as Tropical Storm Hanna moves closer to striking the coast. Shelter locations opening Friday New Hanover County (opening at noon) Eaton Elementary School , 6701 Gordon Road , Wilmington . Johnson Elementary School , 1100 McRae St. , Wilmington Noble Middle School (Pet friendly), 6520 Market St. , Wilmington Brunswick County (opening at 9 a.m.) North Brunswick High School , 1395 Scorpion Drive , Leland West Brunswick High School , 550 Whiteville Road NW , Shallotte Pender County (opening at 4 p.m.) Topsail Middle School , 17385 U.S. 17, Hampstead Malpass Corner Elementary, 4922 Malpass Corner Road Both New Hanover County and Brunswick County declared states of emergency at Friday and began to open emergency shelters, officials announced. Pender County will also open shelters, but has not declared a state of emergency. Sunset Beach in Brunswick County imposed a mandatory evacuation of the town by 2 p.m. Friday so the N.C. Department of Transportation can secure the swing bridge leading to the island. People are being strongly encouraged but not forced to leave the island, said Scott Garner, Brunswick County fire marshal. Once the bridge is closed, nobody can get on or off the island, he said. In addition, voluntary evacuations have been authorized in New Hanover, parts of Brunswick County and the Pender County beach towns. Evacuation is suggested for residents living on the beach, in a mobile home or in low-lying or flood-prone areas. Schools in New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties canceled classes for Friday. Three shelters will open in New Hanover County at noon, including one pet-friendly location at Noble Middle School . Pender County will open two shelters and Brunswick opened two locations at 9 a.m. New Hanover County opened its emergency operations center and emergency public information center Friday morning. Residents can contact the public information center at 798-6800. Warren Lee, director of emergency management for New Hanover County , said residents will be admitted to shelters on a first-come, first-served basis. While dinner will be provided at the shelter on Friday night, residents should eat something before they come because no lunch will be provided. Lee said they cannot guarantee everyone a cot at the shelters, so residents should bring a blanket and pillow and something to entertain themselves and their children. Pet owners seeking shelter should head to Noble. The shelter has capacity for 80 dogs and 36 cats, Lee said. Residents who don’t own pets should seek shelter at the other two locations. County officials plan to make a decision Friday on when to close the Snow’s Cut Bridge because of high winds. Lee said the bridge will likely be closed late Friday and early Saturday. The Cape Fear Memorial Bridge is expected to remain open, according to a county news release. The Brunswick County towns of Belville, Caswell Beach , Calabash and Ocean Isle Beach have scheduled voluntary evacuations Friday. A voluntary evacuation was scheduled for Holden Beach at 10:30 a.m. Thursday. In Pender County , Surf City and Topsail Beach officials said residents can evacuate if they want to. Other area institutions are closing. University of North Carolina Wilmington is cancelling classes Friday, though student housing will remain open during the storm. Cape Fear Community College will close at 3 p.m. Friday and remain closed Saturday. The Port of Wilmington plans to close at noon Friday to commercial traffic. At Wilmington International Airport , general aircraft are being tied down. Area hospitals are preparing for the storm. New Hanover Regional has begun discharging patients prepping teams to stay overnight at the main hospital on S. 17th Street and at Cape Fear Hospital . Brunswick Community Hospital plans to operate normally unless conditions worsen. Outpatient services scheduled after noon at Pender Memorial Hospital and Pender Health & Diagnostics in Rocky Point will be suspended through the weekend. On Thursday, New Hanover County officials said residents should take the storm seriously, but not panic over a storm that’s expected to move quickly through the area. It will also be good practice for future storms. “This is a good exercise for all of us,” said Mayor Mac Montgomery of Kure Beach . “I’ve talked to people all day long and they are taking this very seriously.” Staff writers Chris Mazzolini, Patrick Gannon, Vicky Eckenrode, Ana Ribeiro, Shelby Sebens, Shannan Bowen, and Tyra M. Vaughn contributed to this report.

name: Red Cross/County/State Run Evacuation Shelters Status/Updates, NC - Hurricane Hanna -> Red Cross/County/State Run Evacuation Shelters Status/Updates, NC (INDEX)
status: Open -> Standby
areas_served: -> NC State
eligibility: -> Hurricane Evacuees

notes: Sunset Beach orders mandatory evacuation Schools closed, shelters to open From staff reports Published: Thursday, September 4, 2008 at 6:34 p.m. Last Modified: Friday, September 5, 2008 at 11:36 a.m. Officials across Southeastern North Carolina closed schools and began to open emergency shelters Friday as Tropical Storm Hanna moves closer to striking the coast. Shelter locations opening Friday New Hanover County (opening at noon) Eaton Elementary School , 6701 Gordon Road , Wilmington . Johnson Elementary School , 1100 McRae St. , Wilmington Noble Middle School (Pet friendly), 6520 Market St. , Wilmington Brunswick County (opening at 9 a.m.) North Brunswick High School , 1395 Scorpion Drive , Leland West Brunswick High School , 550 Whiteville Road NW , Shallotte Pender County (opening at 4 p.m.) Topsail Middle School , 17385 U.S. 17, Hampstead Malpass Corner Elementary, 4922 Malpass Corner Road Both New Hanover County and Brunswick County declared states of emergency at Friday and began to open emergency shelters, officials announced. Pender County will also open shelters, but has not declared a state of emergency. Sunset Beach in Brunswick County imposed a mandatory evacuation of the town by 2 p.m. Friday so the N.C. Department of Transportation can secure the swing bridge leading to the island. People are being strongly encouraged but not forced to leave the island, said Scott Garner, Brunswick County fire marshal. Once the bridge is closed, nobody can get on or off the island, he said. In addition, voluntary evacuations have been authorized in New Hanover, parts of Brunswick County and the Pender County beach towns. Evacuation is suggested for residents living on the beach, in a mobile home or in low-lying or flood-prone areas. Schools in New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties canceled classes for Friday. Three shelters will open in New Hanover County at noon, including one pet-friendly location at Noble Middle School . Pender County will open two shelters and Brunswick opened two locations at 9 a.m. New Hanover County opened its emergency operations center and emergency public information center Friday morning. Residents can contact the public information center at 798-6800. Warren Lee, director of emergency management for New Hanover County , said residents will be admitted to shelters on a first-come, first-served basis. While dinner will be provided at the shelter on Friday night, residents should eat something before they come because no lunch will be provided. Lee said they cannot guarantee everyone a cot at the shelters, so residents should bring a blanket and pillow and something to entertain themselves and their children. Pet owners seeking shelter should head to Noble. The shelter has capacity for 80 dogs and 36 cats, Lee said. Residents who don’t own pets should seek shelter at the other two locations. County officials plan to make a decision Friday on when to close the Snow’s Cut Bridge because of high winds. Lee said the bridge will likely be closed late Friday and early Saturday. The Cape Fear Memorial Bridge is expected to remain open, according to a county news release. The Brunswick County towns of Belville, Caswell Beach , Calabash and Ocean Isle Beach have scheduled voluntary evacuations Friday. A voluntary evacuation was scheduled for Holden Beach at 10:30 a.m. Thursday. In Pender County , Surf City and Topsail Beach officials said residents can evacuate if they want to. Other area institutions are closing. University of North Carolina Wilmington is cancelling classes Friday, though student housing will remain open during the storm. Cape Fear Community College will close at 3 p.m. Friday and remain closed Saturday. The Port of Wilmington plans to close at noon Friday to commercial traffic. At Wilmington International Airport , general aircraft are being tied down. Area hospitals are preparing for the storm. New Hanover Regional has begun discharging patients prepping teams to stay overnight at the main hospital on S. 17th Street and at Cape Fear Hospital . Brunswick Community Hospital plans to operate normally unless conditions worsen. Outpatient services scheduled after noon at Pender Memorial Hospital and Pender Health & Diagnostics in Rocky Point will be suspended through the weekend. On Thursday, New Hanover County officials said residents should take the storm seriously, but not panic over a storm that’s expected to move quickly through the area. It will also be good practice for future storms. “This is a good exercise for all of us,” said Mayor Mac Montgomery of Kure Beach . “I’ve talked to people all day long and they are taking this very seriously.” Staff writers Chris Mazzolini, Patrick Gannon, Vicky Eckenrode, Ana Ribeiro, Shelby Sebens, Shannan Bowen, and Tyra M. Vaughn contributed to this report. -> Onslow County Board of Commissioners has declared a State of Emergency effective as of 1:30 pm on September 4, 2008. By this order, a curfew will be in effect from 7:30 pm on Friday, September 5, 2008 to sunrise on Saturday, September 6, 2008. Only law enforcement, emergency services personnel, emergency utility workers, elected and appointed county and municipal officials and persons on official travel between home and business or for medial emergencies. With the exception of businesses or establishments that provide emergency services, all offices, business establishments and other places to or from which people may travel or at which they may congregate are strongly encouraged to be closed during the restricted period. Onslow County ABC stores will close at 7:00 pm on Friday, September 5, 2008. The Red Cross will open six (6) shelters in Onslow County at 1:00 pm on Friday, September 5, 2008 to provide safe shelter for individuals and families who evacuate from risk-prone areas in the path of Hurricane Hanna. The shelters will be located at the following site: • Dixon Middle School • Swansboro High School • Richlands High School • Southwest Middle School • Jacksonville Commons Middle School (Pet Shelter) • White Oak High School Please keep reading for important community information…. The Animal Shelter will be operated at the Jacksonville Commons Middle School and is limited to domestic pets. Pets must be in carriers with current vaccinations and accompanied by their owners. The Onslow County Animal Response Team will be on site. Families and individuals are advised to bring along basic emergency and personal items such as pillows and bedding items, toiletries (toothbrush & toothpaste), essential medications and other health related items, extra clothing and a quiet toy or activities for children. Medications requiring refrigeration should be brought in a cooler or thermos. Alcoholic beverages and weapons are not allowed. Stay tuned to media outlets, G10 Television and the County website for up-to-date information. Citizens can call 938-2059 for additional information. =========================================================================== Sunset Beach orders mandatory evacuation Schools closed, shelters to open From staff reports Published: Thursday, September 4, 2008 at 6:34 p.m. Last Modified: Friday, September 5, 2008 at 11:36 a.m. Officials across Southeastern North Carolina closed schools and began to open emergency shelters Friday as Tropical Storm Hanna moves closer to striking the coast. Shelter locations opening Friday New Hanover County (opening at noon) Eaton Elementary School , 6701 Gordon Road , Wilmington . Johnson Elementary School , 1100 McRae St. , Wilmington Noble Middle School (Pet friendly), 6520 Market St. , Wilmington Brunswick County (opening at 9 a.m.) North Brunswick High School , 1395 Scorpion Drive , Leland West Brunswick High School , 550 Whiteville Road NW , Shallotte Pender County (opening at 4 p.m.) Topsail Middle School , 17385 U.S. 17, Hampstead Malpass Corner Elementary, 4922 Malpass Corner Road Both New Hanover County and Brunswick County declared states of emergency at Friday and began to open emergency shelters, officials announced. Pender County will also open shelters, but has not declared a state of emergency. Sunset Beach in Brunswick County imposed a mandatory evacuation of the town by 2 p.m. Friday so the N.C. Department of Transportation can secure the swing bridge leading to the island. People are being strongly encouraged but not forced to leave the island, said Scott Garner, Brunswick County fire marshal. Once the bridge is closed, nobody can get on or off the island, he said. In addition, voluntary evacuations have been authorized in New Hanover, parts of Brunswick County and the Pender County beach towns. Evacuation is suggested for residents living on the beach, in a mobile home or in low-lying or flood-prone areas. Schools in New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties canceled classes for Friday. Three shelters will open in New Hanover County at noon, including one pet-friendly location at Noble Middle School . Pender County will open two shelters and Brunswick opened two locations at 9 a.m. New Hanover County opened its emergency operations center and emergency public information center Friday morning. Residents can contact the public information center at 798-6800. Warren Lee, director of emergency management for New Hanover County , said residents will be admitted to shelters on a first-come, first-served basis. While dinner will be provided at the shelter on Friday night, residents should eat something before they come because no lunch will be provided. Lee said they cannot guarantee everyone a cot at the shelters, so residents should bring a blanket and pillow and something to entertain themselves and their children. Pet owners seeking shelter should head to Noble. The shelter has capacity for 80 dogs and 36 cats, Lee said. Residents who don’t own pets should seek shelter at the other two locations. County officials plan to make a decision Friday on when to close the Snow’s Cut Bridge because of high winds. Lee said the bridge will likely be closed late Friday and early Saturday. The Cape Fear Memorial Bridge is expected to remain open, according to a county news release. The Brunswick County towns of Belville, Caswell Beach , Calabash and Ocean Isle Beach have scheduled voluntary evacuations Friday. A voluntary evacuation was scheduled for Holden Beach at 10:30 a.m. Thursday. In Pender County , Surf City and Topsail Beach officials said residents can evacuate if they want to. Other area institutions are closing. University of North Carolina Wilmington is cancelling classes Friday, though student housing will remain open during the storm. Cape Fear Community College will close at 3 p.m. Friday and remain closed Saturday. The Port of Wilmington plans to close at noon Friday to commercial traffic. At Wilmington International Airport , general aircraft are being tied down. Area hospitals are preparing for the storm. New Hanover Regional has begun discharging patients prepping teams to stay overnight at the main hospital on S. 17th Street and at Cape Fear Hospital . Brunswick Community Hospital plans to operate normally unless conditions worsen. Outpatient services scheduled after noon at Pender Memorial Hospital and Pender Health & Diagnostics in Rocky Point will be suspended through the weekend. On Thursday, New Hanover County officials said residents should take the storm seriously, but not panic over a storm that’s expected to move quickly through the area. It will also be good practice for future storms. “This is a good exercise for all of us,” said Mayor Mac Montgomery of Kure Beach . “I’ve talked to people all day long and they are taking this very seriously.” Staff writers Chris Mazzolini, Patrick Gannon, Vicky Eckenrode, Ana Ribeiro, Shelby Sebens, Shannan Bowen, and Tyra M. Vaughn contributed to this report.