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Hurricane Florence Resources and Information

Hurricane Florence Resources

As our state continues to prepare for Hurricane Florence, I wanted to provide you with various resources to assist you in advance and the potential aftermath of Hurricane Florence.  Please continue to monitor this page and click the image below as it will be updated frequently with information as we receive it.

 

Up-to-Date Information:

Please visit ReadyNC.org for preparedness tips and the most recent updates on Hurricane Florence.  I would encourage you to download the ReadyNC mobile app for information on real-time traffic and weather conditions, river levels, evacuations and power outages.

Evacuation Routes:

To locate your best evacuation route, please visit the North Carolina Department of Transportation Evacuation Routes webpage.  In the event of an evacuation, it is encouraged to take designated evacuation routes, instead of back roads, as law enforcement officers and other personnel are typically positioned along major evacuation routes to assist motorists.  Back roads also have a greater potential of flooding or downed trees.  If water is flowing down the street do not drive through it.  Wait for the water to recede before you drive.  Even if it appears to be shallow, moving water is powerful enough to push a car off the road and strand its passengers within minutes.  Be sure to use extreme caution, obey all posted warning signs and follow NCDOT’s guidelilnes for driving on hazardous roads.

For real-time information on events affecting travel across the state, please visit the North Carolina DOT Travel Information Management System webpage.

If you are asked to evacuate:

  • Leave as soon as possible;
  • Secure your home, lock windows and doors;
  • Unplug appliances, turn off electricity and main water valve;
  • If possible, leave with a full tank of gas and plenty of water and non-perishable foods on hand;
  • Pack your supplies kit, extra blankets and sleeping bags;
  • Take your pets with you; and,
  • Follow recommended evacuation routes.

If you are staying home:

  • Identify a safe room, an area with no windows, stock it with a battery-powered TV/radio with spare batteries, sleeping bags, pillows, snacks and water;
  • Secure your home, put away outdoor objects and furniture;
  • Fill bathtubs with water for non-drinking use (such as flushing toilets); and,
  • Wait until storm passes to come out.

Preparedness Tips:

In addition to taking the following precautions below, please continue to monitor local weather forecasts and news stations for updates as the track and severity of Florence may change.

Residents in Southeastern North Carolina are urged to take the following precautions while preparing for Hurricane Florence:

Before the storm –

  • Make a kit of emergency supplies for basic survival – including several days worth of food, water, clean air and life-sustaining items such as prescriptions;
  • Make a plan for what you and your family will do in an emergency – map out your route and don’t forget your pets and livestock;
  • Gather important documents and take inventory of your property and belongings;
  • Board up windows and doors, secure loose items in your yards or bring them inside;
  • Move your furniture away from doors and windows.  Take photographs of your items should you have to file damage claims after the storm;
  • Fill your car with gasoline and pull out some cash in case banks and ATMs are temporarily closed;
  • Have plywood, nails and screws ready to cover windows and protect your home;
  • Trim trees and shrubs around your home;
  • Close storm shutters;
  • Turn off propane; and,
  • Obey evacuation orders.

During the storm –

  • Do not run water during lighting storms or enter flooded areas or touch electrical equipment if the ground may be wet;
  • If you’ve lost power for more than a few hours, turn off your range, toaster oven, iron and other items to ensure optimal safety for whenever power is restored;
  • Turn off air conditions and water heaters to prevent system overloads;
  • Make sure your generator is grounded;
  • Stay indoors and away from windows and glass doors; and,
  • Pay attention to public announcements to ensure drinking water isn’t contaminated.

After the storm –

  • Continue to monitor the NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for any updates on the storm;
  • If you are in need of food, water, clothing, cleaning supplies of minor medical care, please contact the American Red Cross;
  • Inspect your home for damage – take photographs of damage for future claims;
  • Discard any food or water that came into contact with flood water to avoid contamination;
  • Avoid flooded roads and washed out bridges; and,
  • Check in with family and neighbors to alert them that you are safe from harm.

 

Essential items to have in your Disaster Preparedness Kit include:

  • Copies of your insurance papers and identification sealed in a watertight plastic bag;
  • First-aid kit;
  • NOAA weather radio and batteries;
  • Mobile phone and charger;
  • Supply of prescription medicines;
  • Sleeping bag or blankets;
  • Changes of clothes;
  • Hygiene items such as toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and deodorant;
  • Cash or checkbook; and,
  • Pet supplies including food, water, leashes, bedding and vaccination records.

Residents should review and update their homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policies to make sure they include coverage for accidental damage, natural disasters and, if necessary, flood and windstorm insurance.

Emergency contact numbers by county:

 

Road Closures:

For road updates from the North Carolina Department of Transportation, please call 5-1-1 or visit their website here.

Resources for Veterans:

The VA Clinics in Brunswick County, New Hanover County, and Onslow County are closed beginning on September 12, 2018.  Patients who had appointments scheduled during the next three days are being contacted to reschedule.

Veterans are encouraged to call the off-hours call center at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center at 910-488-2120 and follow the prompts for assistance.

Full medical services are expected to remain at both the Fayetteville and Durham VA Medical Centers.

Veterans with emergency assistance with prescriptions are encouraged to call Pharmacy Customer Care at 1-866-400-1243.

Veterans with non-health related emergency assistance are encouraged to call the Veterans Benefits Administration Hotline Number at 1-800-827-1000.

Veterans requiring assistance in storm-affected areas are encouraged to contact 1-800-639-5137.

Disaster Assistance:

For the office of North Carolina Emergency Management, please call 919-825-2500.

For FEMA’S Disaster Assistance Hotline, please call 1-800-621-3362.

For the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, please call 1-866-645-9403.

For other questions and updates, please visit the website for North Carolina Department of Public Safety.

Power Outages:

To report a power outage with Duke Energy, please call 1-800-419-6356

Property Damage:

If your property was damaged by the storm, please go to https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ to see if your area has been declared for Individual Assistance.

Business Owners:

If you are a business owner whose business has been affected by the storm, please visit the Small Business Administration website for more information and to apply: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/

Please continue to monitor this page for details on how to get involved with local storm recovery efforts.

Here to help:

Our four offices in Bolivia, Wilmington, Smithfield and Washington, D.C. stand ready to assist you.  Please call us if you have any questions or concerns.  You can reach our Bolivia office by calling (910) 253-6111; our Wilmington office at (910) 395-0202; our Smithfield office at (919) 938-3040 and Washington, D.C. office at (202) 225-2731.

For Hurricane related casework needs, please contact Lisa Littler, Deputy District/Constituent Services Director, by calling 919-630-9855 or by emailing lisa.littler@mail.house.gov  Please be prepared to fill out a privacy form in order to move forward with assisting your casework needs.

source: rouzer.house.gov

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