Item 7-c - Hurricane Florence Operations Review and Debriefing

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2 twenty-four (24) hour activation with all emergency support functions represented. The County proactively opened two no barrier, pet friendly mass care shelters at 6:00 PM at Stanford and Smith Middle Schools. The shelters were staffed by the Department of Social Services, the Health Department, and Animal Services. Response Operations The County suspended nonessential operations starting at 1:00 PM on Thursday, September 13 and for the entire day on Friday, September 14. The County established several forms of communication for residents to remain informed and diligent during the storm. Along with the public information phone line, the County set up a website for storm related information and actively used social media to push messages to the public. Frequently asked questions were prepared in English, Spanish, Burmese, and Karen. A text alert system was also created. Text messages are the most reliable mode of communication during power outages and corresponding internet connection disruptions. This service had a total of 4,300 subscribers by the end of the storm event. A survey of approximately 400 subscribers indicated that ninety-eight percent (98%) would recommend the service to a friend or neighbor. By September 14, the primary storm had shifted away from Orange County. The County received some gusty winds and heavy bands of rain that largely resulted in localized power outages. During this time, the two shelters were occupied by approximately two hundred individuals. However, as the relatively minor impacts of the storm became clear, the shelter population quickly decreased. By the time the shelters were closed on September 16, less than fifteen individuals were residing in them. The County also supported the State sponsored mass care shelter at the UNC Friday Center for residents from other parts of the State that were impacted by the Hurricane. The County primarily provided emergency medical service staffing to the shelter population that reached a capacity of five hundred (500) individuals during the storm event. Heavy rain started again on Sunday, September 16 and Monday, September 17. The rainfall intensity peaked at 7:00 AM on Monday at rates of five (5) to six (6) inches per hour. This rain prompted additional power disruptions, road closures, and the evacuation of residents in the flood prone areas of southern Orange County. These evacuations resulted in the reactivation of sheltering operations at Hillsborough Commons. Recovery Operations The County continues to refine both public and private damage assessment estimates to determine eligibility for disaster assistance. The County is using a web based tool called Crisis Track that allows residents to report damage and request follow-up. Although the Hillsborough Commons shelter was closed, several families and individuals remain unable to return to their apartments. The Department of Social Services continues to provide hotel accommodations and support to obtain new clothing, personal items, and furniture. County departments and other public safety agencies engaged in deployments to areas of the State most affected by Hurricane Florence. The Department of Social Services is providing food and nutrition screening for Scotland County. The Sheriff's Office responded to three mutual aid