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23 <br /> <br />As part of the debriefing process, County departments have identified several lessons and <br />opportunities for improvement and future mitigation. <br />• Reassessment of mass care shelter needs and readiness <br />o During sheltering operations, County staff noted the need to improve some <br />facility elements and refine how care is provided to medically fragile or vulnerable <br />individuals. Long term sheltering operations will also require a more robust <br />staffing plan. <br />• Personnel policies for exempt, essential employees <br />o The County’s shelters were largely staffed by exempt employees who do not <br />receive additional compensation for hours worked during a suspension of <br />nonessential operations. The County will review this policy for fairness and <br />consistency. <br />• Policy for media access in shelters <br />o The County was asked by several media outlets to enter the shelters and <br />interview shelter residents. The County will refine and codify its policy for media <br />access so that shelter managers can provide clear guidance. <br />• Expectations of Community Centers <br />o The County’s three community centers are capable of providing respite following <br />a severe weather event. However, these expectations are not outlined in the <br />Center’s operating agreements. The County needs to define and communicate <br />consistent expectations across the centers as well as evaluate the Centers’ role <br />in the County’s severe weather communications strategy. <br />• Flood Prone Area Assessment and Mitigation <br />o The County has identified several flood prone areas that consistently flood during <br />heavy rainfalls. The most significant risks are located in the Town of Chapel Hill. <br />Responding to this consistent flooding consumes significant public resources. <br />The County will work with the Town to develop mitigation strategies for these <br />areas. <br /> <br />FINANCIAL IMPACT: The County is continuing to gather information regarding the cost of <br />emergency protective measures and damage to public and private property. Current estimates <br />suggest the cost of protective measures to be approximately $2.4 million, damage to public <br />property to be over $1.4 million, and private damage to approach $500,000. <br /> <br />Travis Myren made the following PowerPoint presentation: <br /> <br />Hurricane Florence Operations Review and Debriefing <br />October 16, 2018 <br /> <br />Timeline of Storm Forecast and Impacts- table <br /> <br />Storm Preparation <br />• Declaration of State of Emergency <br />o Issued by the Chair of the Board of Orange County Commissioners <br />o Orders all County Personnel to Cooperate to Execute the Emergency Operations <br />Plan <br />o Formally Activates the Emergency Operations Center <br />o Authorizes Manager to Implement Prohibitions, Restrictions, Evacuations, and <br />Curfews to Maintain Order and Protect Lives and Property <br />• Department Head Planning Meeting