North Carolina’s hurricane season spans from June 1 – November 30 each year, with most seasons peaking from early August to the end of October. With each year comes a new set of challenges, and this year has been no exception. As we continue in this season of COVID-19, Partners in Health and Wholeness has compiled a list of disaster preparedness resources. Please contact us at PHWinfo@ncchurches.org with any questions.
PREPARATION
- Dial 2-1-1 from any phone to reach a trained call specialist 24/7 who has access to real-time information on shelters, evacuation routes, and more.
- Hurricane guide/Guia Sobre Huracanes – statewide guide designed to help you understand the vulnerability of your region, how to prepare, and how to recover after an emergency (digital and printable versions available)
- English
- Español
- Hurricane Season during the COVID-19 pandemic (disponible en español aquí)
- Plan: Where will you go?
- Make a plan to stay with family or friends at a safe place inland, or at a hotel, if you need to evacuate.
- Staying at a storm shelter is not a good option during the COVID-19 pandemic and should only be considered as a last resort.
- Staying with family, friends, or at a hotel will reduce the chances of you being exposed to, or transmitting the COVID-19 virus.
- Prepare: What else will you need?
- Be sure to include additional supplies in your emergency kit to stay healthy: masks, hand sanitizer, cleaning products, sanitizing wipes.
- Visit ReadyNC.org to learn how to create a family emergency plan and build your emergency supplies kit.
- Stay Informed: Who has reliable information?
- Visit ReadyNC.org to learn about local hazards that could impact your area.
- Register for emergency alerts from your local government.
- Follow your local government social media channels.
- Subscribe to National Weather Service updates.
- Follow North Carolina Emergency Management on Twitter and Facebook
- Plan: Where will you go?
- Individual Assistance
- Map of evacuation zones
- Map of open shelters
- New Hanover County Public Information Hotline: 910-798-6800 (backup hotline: 910-620-0860)
- ReadyNC.org – statewide
- Make a Plan – discuss with family what to do before, during, and after an emergency
- Prepare – get a kit with essential items for during and after an emergency
- Stay Informed – ensure access to emergency alert systems
- Re-entry registration & process
- Register for disaster assistance by phone or online:
- FEMA
- 1-800-621-3362 (TTY – 1-800-462-7585)
- Disasterassistance.gov
- Small Business Administration
- 1-202-205-6734
- Disasterloan.sba.gov
- What to bring to a Disaster Recovery Center:
- Social Security number
- Address of damaged home or apartment
- Description of the damage
- Information about insurance coverage
- Your current telephone contact number
- An address where you can receive mail
- Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds
- FEMA
- St. Bernard Project (SBP) – Nonprofit organization working to reduce risk ahead of disaster and reduce time after disaster with education, resources, and training for households, businesses, and nonprofit organizations.
- Homeowners preparedness guide
- E-Learning courses for preparedness, protection, recovery, and resilience
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Disaster Technical Assistance Center (DTAC) – free materials for behavioral health professionals and first responders
- SAMHSA Disaster Mobile App for behavioral health professionals and first responders
- Utility Safety – keeping your home safe and reporting outages
MENTAL HEALTH
- Community Counseling Center — Wilmington
- Crisis Help Hotline: 1-800-451-1954
- Emotional Distress Hotline: 1-800-985-5990
- Emotional and Mental Health Storm Preparation
- SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator
- SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline: call 1-800-985-5990 – 24/7, 365-day-a-year, national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster.
RAPID RESPONSE (POST-HURRICANE)
- Brunswick County Hurricane Isaias Debris Collection
- Cape Fear Food Council Food Info Hub — Wilmington
- Emergency NHC — New Hanover County
- Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC — Durham, Greenville, New Bern, Raleigh, Sandhills, Wilmington
- Map of open shelters
- Nourish NC — New Hanover County
- Onslow Community Outreach — Onslow County
- Pender County Christian Services — Pender County
- Port City Proud — Wrightsville Beach
RECOVERY
- Call the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Assistance Hotline: 1-800-621-3362 for short-term and long-term assistance
- Clean-Up Guide for Flooded Homes
- Disaster Tips Sheets for U.S. Religious Leaders — Free resources to assist American faith communities seeking to provide mitigation education and preparedness training when responding to crises, and how to engage their congregations
- What can faith communities do to support the relief efforts? — article connecting faith communities with relief efforts