During Hurricane Florence, which took place in September 2018, we kept a careful log of storm updates and news. We combined all of those updates and guest information into the following blog for your reference.
If you are a guest or homeowner with specific questions about the storm, please contact us.
Thursday, September 20, 2018 @ 11:15AM
Great news! We have the green light from the Town of Holden Beach for visitors to come and enjoy the island. We are working hard to put things back together. However, you will be arriving during the post storm clean up and things will not be in pristine condition.
Although the Town of Holden Beach is open, the state of North Carolina is still under a State of Emergency due to the still rising rivers and extreme inland flooding. At this time, Brunswick County officials are also advising folks to stay off the roads and enforcing a mandatory 10 PM curfew. Please check NCDOT and Brunswick County websites BEFORE you attempt to leave and plan your route to the beach very carefully.
Here are some issues you are likely to encounter:
- Everyone had wet flooring. Some from normal window/door leaks to more extensive roof issues. We are doing our best to clean & extract water from wet carpet, but it takes time to dry and wet carpet/padding smells really bad (kinda like cat urine).
- Due to all the rain, the exterior siding is still drying out. The moisture and humidity seep into the upholstery, carpet, and walls and, although we have cleaned, post storm homes smell musty. You need to be aware that this is a possibility, especially if you have allergies.
- Many homes have siding off and/or shingles which need replacing. These repairs will not be completed before your arrival.
- Our housekeeping teams will have cleaned your home, but most likely you will find sand in unexpected places.
- If the home you booked is deemed uninhabitable by Hobbs Realty, we will do everything we can to put you in a comparable home.
- A large section of the island is without cable and internet. Our local provider is hard at work restoring these services, but we cannot guarantee these services will work during your stay.
- Pool and hot tub vendors are cleaning and stabilizing pools, but there are issues with shock treatments and timing. Pools and hot tubs are not guaranteed to be open during your stay.
PLEASE REMEMBER: Hobbs Realty does not process refunds or date transfers. All refunds are provided by CSA Travel insurance. If you cannot find a safe road to travel here, you may initiate your refund claim by contacting CSA Travel Insurance directly.
- CSA Phone Number: (866) 999-4018
- CSA Website: http://www.csainsuranceservices.com/hurricane
- Plan/Product Code: G-330CSA
Thank you for bringing your good humor and patience. We hope the warm sand and sunny skies make up for any issues you may have while here this upcoming week.
Safe travels!
Wednesday, September 19, 2018 @ 6:45PM
The Hobbs Post Storm Team has been hard at work all day inspecting and cleaning homes. The island still remains closed to vacationers. The Holden Beach Mayor makes the decision concerning who is allowed on the island and when, based on safety and infrastructure considerations.
The internet and phones are still out of operation at my office and communication is slower than normal. I know everyone is anxious to know what is happening here, but I am not able to manage property inspections, take care of property issues, plus answer the over 200 individual emails I received last night and today requesting information about specific properties. Please know that preparing our rental homes for upcoming vactioners is my primary focus. It is all I am doing (other than taking a break to re-fuel with a bowl of coco puffs).
Please continue to check back here for updates. I will post all pertinent information about post-Flo on HobbsVisory.
For guests who would like to intiate a refund claim: Hobbs Realty does not process refunds or date transfers. All refunds are facilated through CSA Travel insurance.
To initiate a refund claim, please contact CSA Travel Insurance directly:
- CSA Phone Number: (866) 999-4018
- CSA Website: http://www.csainsuranceservices.com/hurricane
- Plan/Product Code: G-330CSA
Stay safe, remain patient, and think positively!
Tuesday, September 18, 2018 @ 6:30PM
I have just arrived back on the island, and it is a sight for sore eyes! Things look good at first glance. We will begin individual property inspections and clean up as soon as my teams can safely arrive from where they evacuated. Please be patient with us. There is lots to be done in the "Hobbs Post Hurricane Florence World," but rest assured we will work night and day to prepare for our incoming guests.
Please know that no matter how hard we work, hope and wish, there will be issues. There will be wet carpet that smells like cat urine (ughhh), sand will have blown in and settled in every nook and cranny, and shingles and roofing nails will be found all over. We ask for your good humor and patience as we begin the process of putting things back together.
I have not been given any indication of when vacationers will be allowed back on the island, but we will work diligently to be ready to hang out the welcome sign when the Town officials give the ok.
Monday, September 17, 2018 @ 12:40PM
Whew! Florence produced quite a waterworks show throughout the entire state of NC. Extreme inland flooding is making traveling to the coast very dangerous. You may view road closures on the NCDOT website and on our local government Brunswick County website.
Power is back on the island, but the bridge remains closed while the Town of Holden Beach maintenance crews begin the process of restoring water and sewer to the island.
Rest assured, when we are allowed back on the island, homes with incoming guests will receive first priority for post-storm inspections and cleanup.
Please look for updates on our homepage and on our HobbsVisory weather blog.
Sunday, September 16, 2018 @ 9:45PM
Good news! Power has been restored to the island and HB Town crews are on the beach hard at work restoring water/sewer. Although progress has started, we have much to prepare before we can open back for vacationers. Please stay put as severe inland flooding and road closures make traveling unsafe. Stay tuned for HobbsVisory updates.
Sunday, September 16, 2018 @ 1:20PM
We are blessed! The Town of Holden Beach is reporting minor wind damage (shingles missing/gutters & fencing down) and significant road flooding on parts of the island.
Lots has to happen in the "Post-Florence World" before Holden Beach can open to owners and vacationers. We are in a holding pattern until power is restored and flooding subsides enough for the Town to get the water/sewer up and running. Our situation is further complicated by extensive inland flooding and road closures.
Stay put and stay tuned for updates to the HobbsVisory.
Friday, September 14, 2018 @ 12:30PM
After days of anticipation, Florence made landfall this morning on nearby Wrightsville Beach. Power is off on Holden Beach and our webcam is down. Keep an eye on our HobbsVisory page for local weather updates, as this is only the beginning of what has been predicted to be several days of heavy wind and rain to our coastal community and inland area.
Thursday, September 13, 2018 @ 5:30PM
I have just finished sending out an email to all of our 9/15 arriving guests explaining that we do not expect to be able to check in guests this weekend.
I know it is scary and frustrating to have to watch and wait to see the effect Hurricane Florence will have, not only on our island home, but on everywhere it goes. As you can see from the last four days of news from various weather forecasters, storms are somewhat unpredictable!
We prepare, watch, wait and pray.
The only portion of Hobbs Realty's website that requires local power is our live webcam. We will continue to keep our HobbsVisory weather blogs updated as to the effects of Florence, as well as continue to contact incoming guests and owners via our website and email with arrival information as soon as we know something.
Wednesday, September 12, 2018 @ 2:45PM
Hello to all Hobbs Realty upcoming vacationers. While we cannot tell you exactly what will happen this weekend, at this time we are NOT expecting the island to be open on 09/15/2018. We urge all incoming guests NOT to head our way until we have posted on the Hobbs Realty homepage that we are back open for business and ready for guests. Keep an eye on your inbox — we will email you as well.
Lots of things have to happen in the "Hobbs Realty Post-Storm World" before we can facilitate check-ins. Rest assured that we will keep you Hobbsvised.
Our prayers are with all of those in the path of Florence. Safe travels & blessings!
Wednesday, September 12, 2018 @ 2:10PM
Hobbs Realty rental homes have been secured, and the Hobbs Team has safely reached their evacuation destinations. The only thing left to do is pray for everyone in the path of Hurrciane Florence, rest up, and wait until we get the all clear to return.
In the meantime, as long as we have power on the island, you can watch the live Holden Beach webcam. Stay tuned, and we will keep you Hobbsvised!
Tuesday, September 11, 2018 @ 2:43PM
We have battened down the hatches and are just about to close the office, head off the island, and hopefully get a few days of rest! Please check back for HobbsVisory updates. Safe travels and blessings to everyone in the path of Hurricane Florence.
FYI: Online reservations have been disabled through September 28.
Monday, September 10, 2018 @ 4:40PM
Well, I declare! So sorry to cut your vacation short, but it looks like Florence is going to cause us some trouble. Here is what you need to know:
The Town of Holden Beach has issued a mandatory evacuation for tomorrow: Tuesday, September 11, 2018. Hobbs Realty is asking that you check out of your rental home by 11 AM.
Please help us out if you have time:
- Empty your fridge and roll out your trash tonight. Waste Industries will pick up town trash on Tuesday at 6 AM.
- Lock all windows
- Close interior doors
- Bring in any outside rockers/furniture and put on tile/laminate flooring in kitchen or on a throw rug if possible
- Secure elevators on the top floor with the gate open
- Close and lock all exterior doors
If you have a keyless entry system, please code-out with the following instructions, as this will automatically notify us you have left the property.
- Please close the door
- Press any number key to lock the door – listen for the lock to engage and verify it is locked by tugging on the door
- Enter the following exit code: 123456 * (star) or √ (check mark) on the bottom left button
If you have a key entry, please drop by and hand off the keys at our front desk.
For shelter info and road conditions, visit Brunswick County Emergency Management. If you cannot make it home, Hobbs Realty and The Town of Holden Beach urge you to not stay in Brunswick County but travel further away. Check back here for updated Hobbsvisories, which will include bridge closings/openings,etc.
If you opted for CSA's Travel Insurance, you can use this link to file your Trip Interruption Claim with CSA or call 1-866-999-4018 to speak to a CSA representative.
Hobbs Realty is open today and tomorrow until the bridge closes. Here is how you can contact us:
Email: Rentals@HobbsRealty.com
Phone: (800) 655-3367
Website: HobbsRealty.com
Saturday, September 8, 2018 @ 4:30PM
Our eyes are on Hurricane Florence (we suggest NOAA for storm tracking), and we are watching for any possible effects our area may receive. Just to be on the safe side, we urge you to take a minute to view this Rip Current video and be aware that while rip currents are a normal part of our everyday beach experience, they are amplified during stormy weather.
Take a look at the current conditions shown through the lens of our live webcam! And, be sure to keep checking back as we will keep you Hobbsvised!
Saturday, September 8, 2018 @ 9:30AM
Right now it is sunny and hot here on beautiful Holden Beach with beach-goers enjoying their late summer vacations. No travel advisories have been issued for our area, and it is a normal check-in day at Hobbs Realty. Rest assured we are tracking Hurricane Florence closely and will keep you Hobbsvised with any updates!
Take a look at our webcam for a live view of the beach strand.