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I. BACKGROUND <br /> At ap pr-oximately 2 :20am on Monday, November 23, 1992, a <br /> tornado hit the northwest outskirts of Hillsborough, <br /> North Carolina. Immediately upon notification of this <br /> incident, the following emergency relief efforts were <br /> enacted: <br /> - More than 20 emergency units from Orange County <br /> jurisdictions and surrounding counties were dispatched <br /> and on the scene. <br /> - The Department of Transportation and utility crews <br /> began to remove debris and downed utility lines. <br /> - Highway 70 West of Hillsborough was closed to all <br /> traffic. <br /> - The American Red Cross, Orange County Chapter, <br /> established an emergency shelter at Orange High <br /> School. <br /> The initial response to the disaster included: <br /> - an assessment of injuries and casualties; <br /> - an assessment of property; <br /> - clearing of debris and downed power lines from roads; <br /> - reconnection of electricity; and <br /> - 'cutting and preparation of debris for removal. <br /> There were approximately 39 emergency, governmental, <br /> quasi-governmental and volunteer units and agencies <br /> involved. Strategic teams, including representatives <br /> from Hillsborough, Orange County, Chapel Hill, and <br /> Carrboro met to assess and discuss plans for clean-up <br /> and community assistance. <br /> Preliminary reports indicated that at least 30 <br /> residences were damaged; at least 10 individuals <br /> sustained injuries and were transported to local <br /> hospitals; and there were two fatalities. A news <br /> release was released to the media at 7 :OOam and a press <br /> conference was held at 9:00am at the North Hills <br /> Shopping Center on Highway 70. <br /> 2 <br />