Brunswick County official warns of life‑threatening cold, urges residents to prepare
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Summary
Brunswick County Emergency Management Director David McIntyre warned residents in a Friday message that extreme cold, high winds and likely snow could make travel dangerous and cause power outages; he urged people to stay home, use generators safely and seek warming centers.
David McIntyre, Brunswick County’s Emergency Management Director, issued a Friday‑afternoon warning that an approaching winter storm could bring life‑threatening cold, high winds and snow, and urged residents to prepare now.
"We're talking life threatening coldness," McIntyre said, noting that with wind chill factored in, Saturday and Sunday nights could bring temperatures in the single digits and possibly near 0 with negative wind chills in isolated areas. He said the county is coordinating closely with the National Weather Service and meeting multiple times a day on the forecast.
McIntyre said snowfall is likely but exact totals are uncertain: "We can see couple inches all the way up to some of the higher forecast nearing a foot of snow," depending on band placement. He added that winds will be strong, warning that "we're gonna see winds starting out tomorrow in that 25 to 35 mile an hour range, with them increasing, overnight."
Those combined conditions, McIntyre said, will make roadways hazardous. He urged residents to avoid travel if possible: "If you don't have to go anywhere, we're encouraging you to stay home." He noted that sheriff, municipal police, fire departments and utilities will be responding to calls and that limiting travel helps reduce strain on responders.
The message included specific safety guidance for households: prepare for possible power outages by having nonperishable food and about one gallon of water per person per day; keep batteries, flashlights, extra dry clothing and blankets; and plan now for ways to stay warm at night if heating fails. McIntyre emphasized generator safety: operate generators outside in well‑ventilated areas, follow manufacturer instructions, avoid open flames and do not overload units to reduce fire and carbon monoxide risks.
On community support, McIntyre said county partner organizations are offering shelter and warming‑center operations and that residents can contact Brunswick County for referrals and locations. He said the county will share updates on its website and social media and recommended tuning to local radio and reputable news outlets for evolving information.
"Get your supplies today. Today's the day," McIntyre said in closing, urging residents to act before conditions worsen.
The county did not provide specific shelter locations, exact snow totals, or a timestamped public hotline in the message; residents seeking that information were directed to contact Brunswick County and consult official county communications for updates.
