Cape Fear Public Utility Authority's offices will open at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 31, due to expected impacts from Hurricane Idalia.
Both CFPUA customer service centers at 230 Government Center Drive and 305 Chestnut Street will have a delayed opening Thursday. Customers can still manage their accounts by calling 910-332-6550 and using the Interactive Voice-Response system or online at CFPUA.org/Online.
If an extension of the closure is needed due to changing forecasts, this message will be updated.
Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Florida Wednesday as a Category 3 hurricane. As of Wednesday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service, the storm is expected to weaken to a tropical storm before reaching the Carolina coast early Thursday morning, bringing significant rainfall and the potential for flash floods and high wind gusts.
CFPUA’s water and wastewater facilities stand prepared for potential impacts from Idalia.
This week, CFPUA staff topped off diesel tanks at key facilities to ensure emergency generators have an adequate fuel supply in the event commercial power is lost. CFPUA vehicles have also been fully fueled to allow crews to respond to any emergencies in the field. In the event of a water or sewer emergency during the storm, crews will respond as quickly as conditions allow for work to be conducted safely.
In 2019, CFPUA purchased a 2,800-gallon fuel truck as well as 15 100-gallon fuel saddle tanks that can fit in the beds of pickup trucks. This allows CFPUA to deliver fuel to its facilities. CFPUA also has an emergency fuel contract with a regional vendor to ensure that generators at all our facilities have a supply of fuel.
CFPUA continues to closely monitor Idalia’s path and potential threats and will make updates to our emergency response plan as needed.
Customers can sign up for CFPUA NewsFlash alerts, including for inclement weather and interruptions to water or sewer service, at this link.
CFPUA also encourages customers to get more information on hurricane preparedness from New Hanover County Emergency Management at ReadyNHC.com.