Hurricane Florence Causing Court Closures in Southeastern United States

Written By ESR News Blog Editor Thomas Ahearn (Last Updated 9/13/2018 10:45 AM PT)

Hurricane Florence – a powerful hurricane expected to make landfall in the southeastern United States early on Friday, September 14, 2018 – is the first major storm of the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season and is causing several court closures in the Carolinas, according to a press release from the North Carolina Judicial Branch and a memo from the South Carolina Judicial Department.

In North Carolina, Hurricane Florence is affecting courthouses across the state and many court sessions and offices across North Carolina are reporting changes in hours of operation and closings due to adverse weather. Follow the latest courthouse closings, news, and advisories on Facebook and Twitter or view the latest closings and updates by the county at www.nccourts.gov/closings. Court are closed in the following counties:

• Anson County, Beaufort County, Bertie County, Bladen County, Brunswick County, Camden County, Carteret County, Chatham County, Chowan County, Columbus County, Gates County, Craven County, Cumberland County, Currituck County, Dare County, Davidson County, Duplin County, Durham County, Edgecombe County, Forsyth County, Franklin County, Granville County, Greene County, Guilford County, Halifax County, Harnett County, Hertford County, Hoke County, Hyde County, Johnston County, Jones County, Lee County, Lenoir County, Martin County, Mecklenburg County, Moore County, Nash County, New Hanover County, Northampton County, Onslow County, Orange County, Pamlico County, Pasquotank County, Pender County, Perquimans County, Person County, Pitt County, Randolph County, Richmond County, Robeson County, Sampson County, Scotland County, Stokes County, Surry County, Tyrrell County, Union County, Vance County, Wake County, Warren County, Washington County, Wayne County, and Wilson County.

In South Carolina, Hurricane Florence canceled proceedings in the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Circuit Court, and Family Court beginning on September 11, 2018, in the counties where Governor Henry McMaster closed state government offices pursuant to the state of emergency. This cancellation shall continue until the Governor reopens of state government offices in the affected counties, which include:

• Aiken County, Allendale County, Bamberg County, Beaufort County, Barnwell County, Berkeley County, Calhoun County, Charleston County, Colleton County, Clarendon County, Darlington County, Dillon County, Dorchester County, Florence County, Georgetown County, Hampton County, Horry County, Jasper County, Lexington County, Lee County, Marion County, Marlboro County, Orangeburg County, Richland County, Sumter County, and Williamsburg County.
• South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster ordered state government offices open on September 12, 2018, in these counties: Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Beaufort, Barnwell, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper. Court proceedings should resume as scheduled in these counties. For the status of county offices, visit the State Emergency Management Division website at scemd.org/closings/.

Along with the more obvious damage, hurricanes cause court closures and delay the completion of background checks using courts in the affected areas. ESR News has reported on court closures caused by Hurricane Irma in September 2017, Hurricane Harvey in August 2017, and Hurricane Super Storm Sandy in October 2012. To read more about court closures, visit www.esrcheck.com/wordpress/tag/court-closures/.

Hurricane Florence Updates

The National Weather Service will provide people in the storm’s path with the latest and most accurate information on Hurricane Florence to keep them informed and safe. A helpful compilation of information that can be used before, during, and after Hurricane Florence – as well as emergency management information on evacuations, shelters, and resources – is available at www.weather.gov/wrn/florence.

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