Preparing for Hurricane Florence

Some members of the NCRC family are preparing for Hurricane Florence and its aftermath. Others will be available to offer assistance to those hit hardest. We’ve created some disaster preparedness suggestions for our members.

We will continue to update this page.

For individuals:

7 things to do before Florence arrives

1. Know where your gas shut off valve is located (if uncertain, ask your gas company)
2. Know where your electrical shut off is located (if uncertain, ask your electric company)
3. Make an emergency plan- know where to go and how to reconnect with loved ones and family if you need to evacuate.
4. Find an open shelter by downloading the FEMA app
5. Plan for your pets. Know which emergency shelters accept pets.
6. Rehearse your evacuation routes
7. Fill your car with gas and take out cash in advance. 

Build a supply kit in 10 steps 

1. Water: One gallon of water per person per day
2. Food: At least a three-day supply of nonperishable food
3. Batteries
4. Flashlight
5. First Aid Kit
6. Whistle
7. Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
8. Manual can opener
9. Local maps
10. Cell phone with chargers and or backup battery. Also, Xfinity has made wifi hotspots free and accessible to all until the end of the storm.

 Disaster preparedness on a budget

For organizations that receive federal grants:

In times of emergency, the law requires all entities that receive federal funding to provide equal services to all people and all communities. It applies at all times and cannot be waived before, during, or in the aftermath of emergencies and disasters.

Title VI requires recipients to ensure that persons with Limited English Proficiency have meaningful access to programs or activities, benefits, services, and vital information.

To avoid violations of federal law, recipients must ensure that their actions do not exclude individuals because of their race, color, or national origin, including limited English proficiency.

Emergency messaging should be short and simple, culturally appropriate, in languages prevalent in your area and in multiple formats, such as audio, large print, captioning.

Review public-facing materials to determine what documents may be vital during a disaster or emergency.

Translate those materials into the top two commonly spoken languages in your community: https://www.justice.gov/crt/fcs/EmergenciesGuidance.

If emergency response is discriminating in your community:

If you believe discrimination is occurring in your community with regard to emergency preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery programs or activities contact us at centerforcivilrights@ncrc.org for further assistance.

Are you a caregiver or neighbor to an older adult in the projected path of Hurricane Florence?

Older adults may need help with structural home preparedness tasks, such as trimming trees and bringing indoors any items that could become projectiles in hurricane force winds (including outdoor furniture, garbage cans, and loose fencing). Older adults with oxygen needs or other home health care needs should secure backup power generators or voluntary evacuation to shelters for high needs populations.

Reach out to local officials and decision-makers to create a Hurricane Shutter Program offering assistance to low to moderate income older adult homeowners located in coastal communities.

Organizations prior to hurricanes could provide older adults in coastal communities with community resources for hurricane shutter programs such as FEMA.

Post natural disaster is, unfortunately, a good time for scammers to target seniors. Be alert for unscrupulous repair persons or companies, FEMA imposters or charity scams.

Helpful links:

• The Emergency Preparedness Guidance
• Tips and Tools for Reaching LEP Communities in Emergency Preparedness
• Checklist for Recipients of Federal Financial Assistance
• National Disaster Recovery Framework

For housing counseling agencies:

1. Identify a safe place to take shelter.
2. Keep in mind, your staff may your first clients post-disaster.
3. Prepare an emergency phone tree! – who’s responsible for calling who? How will your partners know your organization is in duress? Designate a primary person to contact staff members. Designate a secondary staff person should the primary be unable to fulfill this commitment. Collect all forms of contact: Phone, email apps etc.
4. If your organization loses the ability to provide housing counseling services email hcn@ncrc.org and contact your Regional Coordinator. HCN will connect you to a local housing counseling agencies who may be able to assist with common needs.

Needs may include but are not limited to:

• Storing client files
• Referring open client cases (Don’t forget to seek consent from the client)
• Referring new client cases

5. Notify your Parent Agency if your business does not have the capacity to perform normal housing counseling services.

• Your Parent Agency will ensure the HUD website is updated to reflect this information.
• Your Parent Agency may be able to assist with temporary adjustments to your work plan.

Helpful links:

• Preparing for Disaster
• Continuity of Operations Plan
• Emergency Response Plan Guidance
• Overview of Housing Counseling Disaster Recovery Services
• Partners for Disaster Recovery
• Sample Flyer for Housing Counselors

https://www.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/OHC-DR-Toolkit-Emergency-Response-Plan-Guidance.pdf

https://www.hudexchange.info/resources/documents/OHC-DR-Toolkit-COOP-Instructions-and-Template.docx

For funders:

Are you seeking to connect local housing counseling agencies and homeowners with funding assistance? Contact the Housing Counseling Network via email at hcn@ncrc.org