Emergency Services moves from response to recovery, shares important information

Published 7:42 pm Monday, September 17, 2018

The final residents of Beaufort County’s emergency shelters returned home on Monday, and according to representatives from Beaufort County Emergency Services, no further threat of flooding is anticipated for Beaufort County.

The following are important pieces of information shared by Beaufort County Emergency Services on Monday afternoon:

EXERCISE CAUTION

Beaufort County Emergency Services has transitioned from a response mode to a recovery mode in the wake of Hurricane Florence. However, some areas in the County are still flooded and remain unsafe. Do not venture out in or drive through flood waters.

Please stay out of areas where utility crews are working in order to give them room to work safely and efficiently. Power outages remain, and they are working as fast as possible to safely restore electricity.

SHELTER

Beaufort County currently has closed all shelters and the Red Cross has transitioned to a shelter in Greenville. The location of that shelter is: Holly Hill Free Will Baptist Church, 755 Porter Road, Greenville.

POWER OUTAGES

Beaufort County is still experiencing power outages and crews are working as quickly as possible to safely restore power. The City of Washington is reporting all customers restored. Tideland EMS and Duke Energy are reporting approximately 2,700 total outages throughout their areas. Restoration crews are working to safely and quickly restore outages. Please notify power agencies directly of outages and check their websites for restoration updates.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Individuals wishing to donate bottled water and/or canned goods to assist those in need should take those items to Eagles Wings Food Pantry at 932 W. 3rd Street in Washington. Household item donations should be directed to Salvation Army 112 E. 12th St. You may also call the disaster assistance hotline at 252- 495-6040 if you wish to aid storm victims or need assistance. Please leave your name and number and you will be contacted. Cash donations may also be made to the Beaufort County United Way at www.unitedwaybc.net.

You may also contact FEMA disaster recovery assistance at (800) 621-3362.

STORM DEBRIS

Beaufort County has activated its storm debris removal contract with Southern Disaster Recover. Additional information will be available regarding pickup of debris.

SOLID WASTE CONVENIENCE SITES

Sites are operational but will be very busy. Please be patient as crews work to empty containers.

FEEDING STATIONS

Mass feeding stations for storm victims are available at the following locations on Tuesday:

Second Baptist Church in Washington

Chocowinity Fire Department

Sidney Fire Department

Belhaven Fire Department

Aurora Piggly Wiggly site

Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m and dinner will be served from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Food distribution is on a first-come first-served basis.

DISTRIBUTION SITES

Distribution sites for water and packaged meals were anticipated to close as of Monday. Those sites are located at the Chocowinity Fire Department, Aurora Mine Gate, Belhaven Fire Department and Sidney Fire Department. Cleaning kits are anticipated to arrive in a few days and distribution will be announced at that time.

Please continue to stay safe as we move through this recover period.

For the latest information, visit www.thewashingtondailynews.com, and follow @TheWashingtonDailyNews and Beaufort County NC Emergency Services on Facebook.