Sept. 18, 2018
Some useful information post-Hurricane Florence from our news sources:
Donations for Hurricane Florence victims
Gov. Roy Cooper’s office has activated the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund for donations to support North Carolina’s response to Hurricane Florence. To donate, visit governor.nc.gov or text FLORENCE to 20222.
2-1-1 Call Line open 24/7 for people in need of help
The statewide information line can provide callers with nearby shelter, housing and other storm-related details. Dial 2-1-1 or 888-892-1162, or text Florence to 898211. The information line is staffed around the clock to connect North Carolinians to storm resources.
As of Monday afternoon, the N.C. Department of Transportation reported approximately 1,200 road closures–including interstates 95 and 40, numerous highways and other primary routes in North Carolina–due to flooding and debris from Florence.
Although many people in North Carolina awoke to see sunshine for the first time in several days, conditions remain dangerous as flood waters in rivers rise, and they could get worse before they get better. Cooper cautioned people in affected areas against leaving safe shelter to look at damage as this can interfere with emergency responders and relief efforts.
As of noon Monday, more than 465,000 people in North Carolina were without power, and those figures were fluctuating as utility crews worked to restore electricity to customers throughout the state.
Vidant Health extends free Virtual Care visits
Greenville–As patients, families and team members deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Florence, Vidant Health has offered free virtual doctors’ visits for people in Hurricane Florence affected areas via VidantNow.
Typically offered for $49 a visit, patients can use VidantNow for treatment of non-emergency conditions—like sore throat, fever, nausea, earaches and UTIs—for free until 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23. Use the code: vidantrelief (all one word).
Board-certified doctors in family medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics are available 24/7 via secure video or phone. To download the VidantNow app, call 1-888-575-2522, or visit the website above.
On mainland Hyde County
The Hyde County Department of Social Services will be at multiple sites throughout the county today, Tuesday, Sept. 18, distributing meals-ready-to-eat (MREs), water and tarps to individuals that need them. The sites will distribute until the items have been exhausted. The distribution sites are listed below:
Scranton – The Brace Building
Ponzer – Ponzer VFD
Swan Quarter – Swan Quarter VFD
Engelhard – Engelhard VFD
Fairfield – Fairfield VFD
The Salvation Army will be also be at the Scranton Post Office Tuesday and Wednesday distributing hot meals from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. an 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Event changes
The MATTIE Arts & Seafood Festival scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 22, has been canceled. Ocracoke’s Island-Wide Yard Sale has been rescheduled for Saturday, Sept. 29, (originally scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 22).
