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23 <br /> 1 <br /> 2 Heavy rain started again on Sunday, September 16 and Monday, September 17. The rainfall <br /> 3 intensity peaked at 7:00 AM on Monday at rates of five (5) to six (6) inches per hour. This rain <br /> 4 prompted additional power disruptions, road closures, and the evacuation of residents in the <br /> 5 flood prone areas of southern Orange County. These evacuations resulted in the reactivation of <br /> 6 sheltering operations at Hillsborough Commons. <br /> 7 <br /> 8 Recovery Operations <br /> 9 The County continues to refine both public and private damage assessment estimates to <br /> 10 determine eligibility for disaster assistance. The County is using a web based tool called Crisis <br /> 11 Track that allows residents to report damage and request follow-up. <br /> 12 <br /> 13 Although the Hillsborough Commons shelter was closed, several families and individuals <br /> 14 remain unable to return to their apartments. The Department of Social Services continues to <br /> 15 provide hotel accommodations and support to obtain new clothing, personal items, and <br /> 16 furniture. <br /> 17 <br /> 18 County departments and other public safety agencies engaged in deployments to areas of the <br /> 19 State most affected by Hurricane Florence. The Department of Social Services is providing food <br /> 20 and nutrition screening for Scotland County. The Sheriff's Office responded to three mutual aid <br /> 21 missions. South Orange Rescue Squad deployed to one mission. The Orange Rural Fire <br /> 22 Department assisted on two missions, and the Chapel Hill Fire Department and Public Works <br /> 23 Department each deployed on one mission. <br /> 24 <br /> 25 Lessons Learned and Mitigation <br /> 26 As part of the debriefing process, County departments have identified several lessons and <br /> 27 opportunities for improvement and future mitigation. <br /> 28 • Reassessment of mass care shelter needs and readiness <br /> 29 o During sheltering operations, County staff noted the need to improve some <br /> 30 facility elements and refine how care is provided to medically fragile or <br /> 31 vulnerable individuals. Long term sheltering operations will also require a more <br /> 32 robust staffing plan. <br /> 33 Personnel policies for exempt, essential employees <br /> 34 o The County's shelters were largely staffed by exempt employees who do not <br /> 35 receive additional compensation for hours worked during a suspension of <br /> 36 nonessential operations. The County will review this policy for fairness and <br /> 37 consistency. <br /> 38 • Policy for media access in shelters <br /> 39 o The County was asked by several media outlets to enter the shelters and <br /> 40 interview shelter residents. The County will refine and codify its policy for media <br /> 41 access so that shelter managers can provide clear guidance. <br /> 42 Expectations of Community Centers <br /> 43 o The County's three community centers are capable of providing respite following <br /> 44 a severe weather event. However, these expectations are not outlined in the <br /> 45 Center's operating agreements. The County needs to define and communicate <br /> 46 consistent expectations across the centers as well as evaluate the Centers' role <br /> 47 in the County's severe weather communications strategy. <br /> 48 • Flood Prone Area Assessment and Mitigation <br /> 49 o The County has identified several flood prone areas that consistently flood during <br /> 50 heavy rainfalls. The most significant risks are located in the Town of Chapel Hill. <br />