How FEMA Is Responding To Hurricane Florence In North Carolina

NORTH CAROLINA — As Hurricane Florence drenches the Carolinas, the national focus has become responding to the storm’s aftermath and inevitable cases of property damage, power outages, downed trees and flooding, and potential loss of life.

The federal response is coordinated by FEMA, the the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The agency's reputation suffered last year following its lagging response to Hurricane Maria, but authorities say they are well poised to handle the damages from Hurricane Florence.

FEMA is positioned millions of bottles of water and meals, along with blankets, cots and other supplies, according to reports. NPR reported that urban search and rescue teams are in place, along with what the agency calls incident management assistance teams to "ensure there are no unmet needs."

In North Carolina, there are two Incident Management Assistance Teams, 27 search and rescue teams and more than 600 National Guard personnel, FEMA tweeted.

The Salvation Army is running 35 canteens, 1 field kitchen and there are 123 shelters operating around the state for Florence victims.

FEMA emphasized in the tweet that disaster relief was a team effort.

Here is a look at the ongoing coordinated response effort for #Florence in North Carolina. Response is a team effort. #FlorenceNC pic.twitter.com/eKiB2Lc1UJ
— FEMA Region 4 (@femaregion4) September" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/femaregion... 14, 2018

In other efforts across the region, the Coast Guard said 43 aircraft had rescued five people and The Army Corps of Engineers was engaging in a $6.1 million response, monitoring federal dams, helping with rescues, and deploying pumps and portable barriers, the New York Times reported.

At least five deaths were believed to be attributed to the storm, according to reports. Florence "continues to produce catastrophic flooding over North Carolina and South Carolina," a National Hurricane Center advisory said Saturday morning.

By Saturday afternoon, more than 706,000 people in the state were without power, according to poweroutage.us. That includes more than 440,000 Duke Energy customers in the state, including about 6,259 in Mecklenburg County.

In coastal New Hanover County alone, more than 113,000 Duke customers were without power along with more than 14,000 in Wake County. Duke previously said it expected millions of residents and businesses to be in the dark for weeks.

More on the latest conditions here in North Carolina here.

Around North Carolina, FEMA warns of flash flooding, sharing resources on navigating flooded areas and preparing for flooding, taking to Twitter to share pertinent information with residents.

Rain from #Florence these next few days will cause flooding in many parts of the Carolinas. Expect flash flooding at any time and stay off the roads. Do NOT walk, swim or drive through floodwaters! https://t.co/KI7H0Mfs5Z
— FEMA (@fema) September" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/fema/statu... 15, 2018

With both flash flood emergency and flash flood warnings in effect now, here is the difference and how it impacts you. #Florence #ncwx pic.twitter.com/zk59XnVw6x
— NWS Newport/Morehead (@NWSMoreheadCity) September" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/NWSMorehea... 15, 2018

Part of FEMA’s mission in the midst of Hurricane Florence has been to debunk circulating rumors around service animals in shelters, pets and budgetary items.

“During disasters, it’s critical to avoid spreading false information. Always check with official sources before sharing,” FEMA tweeted, launching a page solely for the purpose of correcting misinformation.

We have created a rumor control page for Hurricane #Florence that will be updated regularly. During disasters, it’s critical to avoid spreading false information. Always check with official sources before sharing. https://t.co/PAjGQZJ1Nt pic.twitter.com/z4L0r1YjAT
— FEMA (@fema) September" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/fema/statu... 12, 2018

Despite criticisms from last year’s disaster relief efforts, FEMA officials remain confident about Hurricane Florence assistance.

FEMA Associate Administrator Jeff Byard said during a recent All Things Considered segment that they are ready to respond to all needs of the locals as they deal with sustained winds, flooding and surge impacts of 9-13 feet.

“...a strong storm to the likes that this part of the country hasn't faced in many, many years,” he said. “You're going to have tremendous inland flooding, and it's going to be there for a while. You know, it's not a fast-moving storm. It's not going to clear the area in 12 to 24 hours.”

He said FEMA was in “close coordination” with North Carolina, as well as South Carolina, Virginia and Georgia.

“We're well-positioned and we're ready to respond to the needs of our citizens,” he said.

For more FEMA resources within North Carolina, click here.

RELATED:

• Hurricane Florence: NC Could See 'Staggering' Amounts Of Rain
• Hurricane Florence: How North Carolina Can Prepare
• NC Residents Advised To Review Homeowners Insurance Now
• Where To Find Gas In NC: Hurricane Florence Evacuation

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