Division of Emergency Management

shows water-driven wind blowing across a road as trees bend in the wind during a hurricane

Hurricane / tropical storm safety tips

August 3, 2020 by Editor

Hurricane / tropical storm safety tips - North Carolina Health News

In many years, North Carolina is visited by hurricanes and tropical storms. Each storm is different, but some pieces of advice and caution remain the same.

TIPS FOR TORNADO WATCHES AND WARNINGS As Isaias comes ashore, it brings with it the possibility of tornadoes, especially in the trailing parts of the storm. The National Weather Service has a website explaining the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning, and what to do to keep safe should a tornado head […]

Shows Hurricane Dorian as it was over the NC Coast in September

Coronavirus Today – May 1 – Search for COVID by zip code, hurricane season coming, cheesy science fun

May 1, 2020 by Editor

Coronavirus Today – May 1 – Search for COVID by zip code, hurricane season coming, cheesy science fun - North Carolina Health News

As if preparing for the virus isn’t enough, emergency management officials reminded North Carolinians today that it’s time to prepare for possible hurricane activity this summer.

By North Carolina Health News staff What’s your zip code? North Carolinians can search their zip codes to find out how many people who live in that mail zone have tested positive for COVID-19. Secretary of Health and Human Services Mandy Cohen said her department has added the information to a dashboard with the goal […]

The Smithfield Foods processing plant in Tar Heel employs up to 5,000 workers and slaughters 30,000 to 35,000 hogs a day: Photo credit: Melissa Sue Garrets, The Fayetteville Observer

Two more processing plants identified as having coronavirus outbreaks

April 24, 2020 by Greg Barnes

Two more processing plants identified as having coronavirus outbreaks - North Carolina Health News

The state says 190 workers at seven meat and poultry processing plants have tested positive for COVID-19. That’s up from 118 on Tuesday.

By Greg Barnes Two more meat processing plants in North Carolina are experiencing coronavirus outbreaks, bringing the total number of meat and poultry plants with COVID outbreaks to seven, state health officials announced Thursday. The state Department of Health and Human Services still won’t name the plants or say how many workers have tested positive […]

Cohen talks about COVID-19 to the General Assembly on the same day Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency.

After more COVID-19 cases reported, NC declares state of emergency

March 10, 2020 by Anne Blythe

After more COVID-19 cases reported, NC declares state of emergency - North Carolina Health News

As the novel coronavirus spreads, Gov. Roy Cooper urges people 65 and older to avoid large crowds. He also pressed the CDC for more materials to test more prospective patients.

By Anne Blythe Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency in North Carolina on Tuesday to respond to COVID-19, the novel coronavirus spreading around the world and across the country. The announcement came a week after North Carolina reported its first case of the novel virus and the day after public health officials reported […]

Shows two men in a motor boat, powering down a flooded road, a house is visible to the left. The road is flooded in the wake of Dorian

Hurricane Dorian’s foray up NC’s Outer Banks leaves many stranded, floods islands

September 6, 2019 by Thomas Goldsmith

Hurricane Dorian’s foray up NC’s Outer Banks leaves many stranded, floods islands - North Carolina Health News

After Hurricane Dorian’s trek up North Carolina’s Outer Banks, the former Category 5 storm is still causing trouble across eastern counties, state officials said Friday. Of particular concern: the hundreds of people stranded on Ocracoke Island.

By Thomas Goldsmith and Rose Hoban Hurricane Dorian remained a dangerous storm Friday morning although North Carolina’s southeastern counties have apparently escaped widespread destruction on the scale seen after last year’s Hurricane Florence, state officials said. But when Dorian passes, it may be some of the state’s barrier islands that were hardest hit. As rain […]

photo shows national guard member leading civilian throughflood waters to a waiting truck

Robeson County residents still reeling from two prior hurricanes

September 6, 2019 by Greg Barnes

Robeson County residents still reeling from two prior hurricanes - North Carolina Health News

Nearly three years after Hurricane Matthew, many residents of the state’s second-poorest county are suffering mentally, physically and emotionally while the state grapples to provide relief funding. And now comes Dorian.

By Greg Barnes It’s been three years since Hurricane Matthew crashed into Robeson County, causing water to bubble up through the plumbing of Isa Alvarado’s mobile home and leaving behind a mold-infested mess. Alvarado, 63, didn’t vacate her Fairmont home after Matthew. She said she continued to live there, with her two children and a […]

shows a woman with a t shirt reading US PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE on the back leaning ovr a woman who is sitting

As Hurricane Dorian approaches, long-term care residents are moved to safer ground

September 5, 2019 by Thomas Goldsmith

As Hurricane Dorian approaches, long-term care residents are moved to safer ground - North Carolina Health News

Concerns about wind, rain and destruction brought by Hurricane Dorian meant that more than 380 people have been evacuated from North Carolina long-term care centers, state health officials said.

By Thomas Goldsmith More than 380 older and vulnerable North Carolinians have been evacuated from assisted living and skilled nursing centers in the path of Hurricane Dorian, state emergency and health and human services officials said Thursday. An NC Department of Health and Human Services spokesman said two nursing homes had evacuated 93 residents and […]

shows a street sign reading, "Watch for Senior Citizens"

Matthew & Florence taught NC lessons: Storms like Dorian threaten old people

September 5, 2019 by Thomas Goldsmith

Matthew & Florence taught NC lessons: Storms like Dorian threaten old people - North Carolina Health News

The serious perils that older people in North Carolina face during hurricanes are lurking again in the gales and rainy torrents of the powerful storm Dorian. Across the state, prepared professionals and private citizens are stepping up to minimize harm.

By Thomas Goldsmith The specters of catastrophic hurricanes Matthew in 2016 and Florence last year are looming darkly over this week’s preparations for Hurricane Dorian, the latest unwanted newcomer to the Tar Heel State. Across North Carolina on Wednesday, older people and those charged with looking after them made preparations, checked registries of vulnerable residents, […]

shows a seemingly calm beach at sunrise, but there may be rip currents present

Coastal Waters May Carry Health Risks

September 28, 2018 by Coastal Review Online

Coastal Waters May Carry Health Risks - North Carolina Health News

Health officials and others are warning visitors and residents to stay out of the water, including recreational waters, to avoid potential health risks.

Coastal Review Online Now is probably a good time to try to stay dry. Health officials and others say there’s stuff in the water — both flooded areas and recreational waters — that is best avoided. New Hanover County Public Health Department and North Carolina Emergency Management officials warn that people should be careful and […]

Web of Resources Continues to Aid NC Communities in Matthew’s Wake

January 26, 2017 by Thomas Goldsmith

Web of Resources Continues to Aid NC Communities in Matthew’s Wake - North Carolina Health News

Recovery from the flooding due to Hurricane Matthew is slow for some, but it's moving along.

By Thomas Goldsmith The effort to restore health and welfare in North Carolina counties hit by the devastation of Hurricane Matthew continues to require across-the-board assistance. In December the state legislature appropriated $200 million in emergency funds. Since the storm, the feds have poured in $82 million in Small Business Administration home loans alone, while […]

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