As the calendar transitions to April, it’s easy to get excited about warmer weather. The doldrums of winter are starting to fade, and, despite everything being covered in pollen, spring is upon us, creating a new sense of excitement as we feel the urge to move activities outside. 

This time of year, a blue-sky day means the sun is beaming down, providing a warm and welcoming opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. 

In the world of emergency response, blue-sky days have a somewhat different meaning. 

Thinking ahead, particularly on these “blue-sky days,” are what helps those who respond to emergencies in our community be prepared for difficult situations. 

For our Emergency Management staff, that means continuous training for a variety of situations and circumstances. That includes the foreseeable, like a tropical weather event, to the unexpected, such as an incident on one of our local nuclear facilities. 

Their dedication extends well beyond hurricane season, forming the foundation of our year-round emergency response capabilities, while working in tandem with staff from numerous other New Hanover County departments, to focus on the safety of our community. 

But to be clear, that work cannot happen in a vacuum. There are other municipalities and agencies in our county to collaborate with, as well as regional and state level entities who must be involved. Additionally, private partners are also critical to the equation of ensuring safety in difficult times. 

Resilient infrastructure is identified as a key piece of our county’s Strategic Plan. Without these services, it is impossible to restore and maintain reliable services to our residents and businesses. 

One notable example is our ongoing collaboration with Duke Energy to enhance power grid reliability. Since early 2024, substantial improvements have been made, including upgrades to 11 key substations serving Carolina Beach, Wrightsville Beach, and downtown Wilmington. These facilities form the backbone of our electrical infrastructure system.

It’s important to understand the scope of these enhancements, including:

• More than 850 miles of power lines have been hardened against storm damage
• 588 poles have been replaced to improve reliability and safety
• 44 smart grid technology systems have been installed to automatically reroute power during outages