Hurricane Florence Preparations by Cultural Institutions, Landmarks, and Zoos
Zoos and Aquariums
As Hurricane Florence approaches, zoos and aquariums across the southeast are taking steps to protect their animals. The Virginia Zoo and Aquarium is moving its animals into secure buildings and assembling a team to monitor generators and weather conditions. The Virginia Zoo’s 500+ critters and the Virginia Aquarium’s thousands of marine animals will be sheltered indoors.
Similarly, the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, South Carolina, has begun moving its birds indoors. Other zoos, including the Lynnwood Park Zoo in North Carolina and the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston, have closed in preparation for the storm.
Museums and Cultural Institutions
Museums and cultural institutions across the Carolinas and Virginia are also closing ahead of the storm’s arrival. In North Carolina, the North Carolina Maritime Museums, the North Carolina Museum of Art, and the Ackland Art Museum are among the many museums shutting their doors.
In South Carolina, the Patriot Points Naval and Maritime Museum, the Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry, and the South Carolina State Library are closing. The Chrysler Museum of Art, Glass Studio, and historic houses in Virginia are also locking their doors.
Historic Landmarks
Major tourist sites and historical landmarks are also readying themselves for the worst. Charleston, South Carolina, boasts a thriving tourism industry and is home to Civil War icon Fort Sumter and Revolutionary War bunker Fort Moultrie. Both forts, as well as the numerous national parks in the area, have been closed since Tuesday.
Universities and Research Institutions
Higher education institutions are also taking precautions. The College of William & Mary, the College of Charleston, and North Carolina State University have canceled classes and/or evacuated students. Researchers at affected universities are scrambling to protect their work. NC State toxicologist Heather Patisaul has moved her “most precious samples” to freezers with backup power generators.
Public Events and Gatherings
Many public events and gatherings have been postponed or canceled in anticipation of Florence. Singer-songwriter J. Cole’s Dreamville Festival, which was expected to bring 35,000 people to Raleigh, has been canceled. SPARKcon, an annual arts festival in Raleigh, has also been postponed.
Lessons from Past Hurricanes
Some are looking to the past to learn from previous storms. The Wrightsville Beach History Museum in North Carolina has an exhibit describing past hurricanes and their impact on the area. Hurricane Hazel in 1954 caused more than 17-feet storm surges, while Hurricane Floyd in 1999 brought 10-feet surges. Florence is expected to produce storm surges of up to 13 feet.
Potential Impact of Hurricane Florence
Experts are comparing Florence to Hurricane Hugo, which made landfall north of Charleston in 1989. Hugo damaged or destroyed over 100,000 homes and caused $6.9 billion in damage. Florence could be even more devastating, as its deluge is expected to extend inland for hundreds of miles, flooding rivers and streams in the Carolinas.