Tropical Storm Debby is projected to bring 12 to 16 inches of rain to Fayetteville this week, prompting emergency declarations and schedule changes all across the county.
Here’s CityView’s guide to the latest information you need to know:
States of emergency
North Carolina, Cumberland County, the city of Fayetteville and the towns of Spring Lake and Hope Mills have all declared states of emergency. This means local governments can set a curfew if needed and restrict movements in certain areas in the interest of public safety.
Gov. Roy Cooper declared a statewide state of emergency late Monday night. During times of natural disaster or another emergency, North Carolina’s price gouging law goes in effect, according to a news release from Attorney General Josh Stein’s office. Potential price gouging, defined by the Dept. of Justice as “charging too much in times of crisis,” should be reported by calling 1-877-5-NO-SCAM or visiting the NC Dept. of Justice’s website.
School schedule changes
Cumberland County Schools announced Tuesday it will implement schedule changes because of the storm. The changes include:
- Remote asynchronous learning days Thursday and Friday
- After-school activities canceled Wednesday through Saturday
- The Prime Time After-School program will be closed Thursday and Friday
- School system employees at year-round schools and Early Colleges will work from home Thursday and Friday
- District and school offices will be closed Thursday and Friday
- District and school staff following a summer schedule will work from home Thursday and be off Friday
According to the school system’s news release, elementary and middle school students have five days to submit asynchronous remote learning assignments, while high school students have three days. School system employees are asked to contact their supervisors for additional instructions.
Fort Liberty closures
Non-mission-essential personnel will be sent home from Fort Liberty at noon Wednesday, according to a news release. Weather- and mission-essential personnel will report on Thursday, but all other personnel should stay home, the release said.
Employees who can work from home will be expected to do so after noon Wednesday and throughout Thursday, the release states.
“All service members, the civilian workforce and contractors need to contact their chain of command or supervisors for further guidance,” the release said.
The following facilities are facing early closures:
- The North Post and South Post commissaries will close at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
- All children must be picked up from childcare facilities by 1 p.m. Wednesday.
- All Womack Army Medical Center services besides inpatient services and the emergency department will close at noon Wednesday.
- The Iron Mike Conference Center lunch buffet, outdoor pools and golf courses will not open Wednesday.
According to Fort Liberty officials, Bauguess Child Development Center and the Baez School Age Care Center on post will be open Thursday for children of required personnel.
Damage to barracks and facilities should be reported by calling 910-396-0321, the release said. Power outages or maintenance emergencies for the main post housing should be reported to the Corvias Work Order Hotline at 1-866-206-1365, while power outages or maintenance emergencies for Linden Oaks should be reported to 1-866-908-2623.
Storm preparations ongoing
According to a news release, the city of Fayetteville is clearing storm drains and lowering water levels for city-maintained roads and dams to prepare for the tropical storm. Additionally, low water crossing barriers have been placed on the following city streets:
- Ray Avenue
- Orange Street
- Lock’s Creek entrance
- Campbell Avenue at Blount’s Creek
- Blue Street
- L.A. Dunham Road at Carriage Road
- Langdon Street
- Cool Springs Street at Cross Creek
- Freeport Road
- Bombay Drive
The water levels of Clarks Pond, Mirror Lake and Devonwood Lower dams are all being lowered, the release states.
According to a news release from the town of Hope Mills, the following bridges may be barricaded because of flooding:
- Legion Road at Cameron Road
- Blackbridge at Golfview Road
- Rockfish Road at Deaver Circle
- Hope Mills Road between Camden Road and George Owen Drive
Emergency shelters
The town of Hope Mills said Tuesday its official emergency shelter will be South View High School at 4814 Elk Road.
According to a Cumberland County news release, the following county shelters will open at 4 p.m. Wednesday:
- Mac Williams Middle School at 4644 Clinton Road
- Pine Forest High School at 525 Andrews Road
- Smith Recreation Center at 1520 Slater Ave.
- South View High School at 4184 Elk Road in Hope Mills
- Westover Recreation Center at 267 Bonanza Drive
Pets can only be brought to the South View and Westover shelters, the release states. Pet owners should bring any necessary pet medication and food, according to the release; animals won’t be housed in the same area as people.
Residents should not bring any perishable food or drinks, and residents with infants should bring formula, baby food and diapers, the release said. Anyone going to a shelter should bring blankets, pillows, toiletries, any medications needed and several changes of clothes, according to the release.
Residents with special needs should be accompanied by caregivers, the county said.
Government office closures
According to news releases, the following government offices have announced closures:
- The Hope Mills town hall will close at noon Wednesday and reopen Monday, Aug. 12.
- Fayetteville PWC’s payment center will close at 2 p.m. Wednesday and “remain closed for the duration of the storm.”
- Cumberland County offices will close at 2 p.m. Wednesday and remain closed Thursday.
- The Spring Lake town hall will be closed Thursday.
The city of Fayetteville also announced Wednesday that on-street parking enforcement will be suspended through 10 a.m. Friday.
This article will be updated as additional information is released. Reporter Lexi Solomon can be reached at lsolomon@cityviewnc.com
This story was made possible by contributions to CityView News Fund, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to an informed democracy.
