Voluntary evacuation: A voluntary evacuation indicates that conditions are likely to deteriorate and you may want to seek alternative shelter.
Mandatory visitor evacuation: A mandatory visitor evacuation indicates that all non-residents must evacuate the Town of Wrightsville Beach and will not be allowed to return until the evacuation order is lifted.
Mandatory evacuation: A mandatory evacuation indicates that all persons must evacuate the Town of Wrightsville Beach. Emergency services may be suspended when conditions are too dangerous to respond. Electricity and water/sewer services may not be available due to storm-related outages.
What happens if someone chooses not to leave during a mandatory evacuation? Can they be arrested or forced to leave?
YES, North Carolina General Statue 14-288.20A makes it a Class 2 misdemeanor to violate any provision of an ordinance or a declaration enacted or declared by a municipality in an effort to deal with a State of Emergency. Under N.C.G.S. 166A-19.31, a municipality has the authority to place restrictions, curfews, or make evacuation orders in a state of emergency. It is unlawful to violate those restrictions or orders. Mandatory evacuation orders are initiated in order to help prevent injury or loss of life.