Topsail Guide 
Latest Update (Tue, Aug 19): We’ve published a fresh briefing with today’s track and the next 24–48 hours for Topsail. Read today’s Hurricane Erin update → Hurricane Erin remains a large and powerful hurricane east of the Southeast Bahamas this morning. The latest National Hurricane Center advisory places the center near 23.1 N, 70.5 W … Read more
Latest Update (Tue, Aug 19): We’ve published a fresh briefing with today’s track and the next 24–48 hours for Topsail. Read today’s Hurricane Erin update → Hurricane Erin intensified overnight and is now a major hurricane over the open Atlantic. The National Hurricane Center reports Erin is moving W/NW- pushing northeast of the Leeward Islands … Read more
Storm Watch & Safety: Tropical Storm Erin is expected to graze north — not make landfall — but still generate strong southeasterly swells, rough surf, and dangerous rip currents into next week. Always check the National Hurricane Center, NWS Marine Forecast, and local advisories before heading out. Conditions can change fast; wear a life jacket, … Read more
Tropical Storm Erin is gaining strength and heading westward through the tropical regions of the Atlantic Ocean. The National Hurricane Center forecasts it will become the first hurricane of the 2025 season as soon as tomorrow, with a strong possibility of reaching Category 3 major hurricane status by late Saturday. You can follow the official … Read more
Water That Smells, Stains, and Frustrates Residents across Pender County are still dealing with tap water that is discolored, foul-smelling, and damaging to appliances—issues that have lingered for years despite repeated reports to utility providers. In the Emerald Ridge neighborhood, one resident, Greg Lovell, described, “The water was brown and discolored all the time and … Read more
The N.C. Department of Transportation has awarded a $182 million contract to S.T. Wooten Corp. to complete the final seven miles of the U.S. 17 Hampstead Bypass, running between NC 140 and NC 210. Construction could begin in late August 2025 and is expected to be finished by 2030. View the NCDOT Project Page. Status … Read more
Chief’s Report Marks a Turning Point On July 15, 2025, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers signed the long-anticipated Chief’s Report for the Surf City Coastal Storm Risk Management project. The plan outlines a new dune system and beach nourishment for roughly six miles of shoreline, aimed at improving resilience against storms and sea level … Read more
As of Monday (Aug. 11), the National Hurricane Center is keeping a close eye on Invest 97L in the eastern Atlantic, giving it high odds of development over the next week. If it organizes into a named storm, it would be called Erin — potentially the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season. You can … Read more
Locals and visitors gathered early Wednesday morning to witness something special: the release of six rehabilitated sea turtles back into the Atlantic from the shores of North Topsail Beach. The release, coordinated by the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, brought together community members, wildlife advocates, and beachgoers for a heartwarming sendoff. With … Read more
School starts Monday, August 25 for most Topsail-area students on the traditional calendar. As weekend traffic continues to slow US-17 and back up the island bridges, local parents are shifting focus to school prep. To help, our Topsail Guide team pulled together supply lists from each area school – hoping to save you time, reduce … Read more