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22 <br /> <br /> <br />Response Operations <br />The County suspended nonessential operations starting at 1:00 PM on Thursday, September 13 <br />and for the entire day on Friday, September 14. <br /> <br />The County established several forms of communication for residents to remain informed and <br />diligent during the storm. Along with the public information phone line, the County set up a <br />website for storm related information and actively used social media to push messages to the <br />public. Frequently asked questions were prepared in English, Spanish, Burmese, and Karen. <br /> <br />A text alert system was also created. Text messages are the most reliable mode of <br />communication during power outages and corresponding internet connection disruptions. This <br />service had a total of 4,300 subscribers by the end of the storm event. A survey of <br />approximately 400 subscribers indicated that ninety-eight percent (98%) would recommend the <br />service to a friend or neighbor. <br /> <br />By September 14, the primary storm had shifted away from Orange County. The County <br />received some gusty winds and heavy bands of rain that largely resulted in localized power <br />outages. During this time, the two shelters were occupied by approximately two hundred <br />individuals. However, as the relatively minor impacts of the storm became clear, the shelter <br />population quickly decreased. By the time the shelters were closed on September 16, less than <br />fifteen individuals were residing in them. <br /> <br />The County also supported the State sponsored mass care shelter at the UNC Friday Center for <br />residents from other parts of the State that were impacted by the Hurricane. The County <br />primarily provided emergency medical service staffing to the shelter population that reached a <br />capacity of five hundred (500) individuals during the storm event. <br /> <br />Heavy rain started again on Sunday, September 16 and Monday, September 17. The rainfall <br />intensity peaked at 7:00 AM on Monday at rates of five (5) to six (6) inches per hour. This rain <br />prompted additional power disruptions, road closures, and the evacuation of residents in the <br />flood prone areas of southern Orange County. These evacuations resulted in the reactivation of <br />sheltering operations at Hillsborough Commons. <br /> <br />Recovery Operations <br />The County continues to refine both public and private damage assessment estimates to <br />determine eligibility for disaster assistance. The County is using a web based tool called Crisis <br />Track that allows residents to report damage and request follow-up. <br /> <br />Although the Hillsborough Commons shelter was closed, several families and individuals remain <br />unable to return to their apartments. The Department of Social Services continues to provide <br />hotel accommodations and support to obtain new clothing, personal items, and furniture. <br /> <br />County departments and other public safety agencies engaged in deployments to areas of the <br />State most affected by Hurricane Florence. The Department of Social Services is providing food <br />and nutrition screening for Scotland County. The Sheriff’s Office responded to three mutual aid <br />missions. South Orange Rescue Squad deployed to one mission. The Orange Rural Fire <br />Department assisted on two missions, and the Chapel Hill Fire Department and Public Works <br />Department each deployed on one mission. <br /> <br />Lessons Learned and Mitigation