NORTH CAROLINA RELIEF HURRICANE RESPONSE UPDATE (November 2018)
CURRENT ACTIVITIES (RESPONSE STAGE) ● Residential flood cleanup: assessment, mucking and gutting, debris removal, debris clearing, and mold sanitation ● Coordinated the New Bern Volunteer Reception Center (facilitated 1451 spontaneous volunteer hours) DISASTER PROFILE Hurricane Florence made landfall just outside of Wilmington, North Carolina on September 14th, 2018. Despite weakening in intensity to a Category 1 storm, 90 mph winds uprooted trees and left 800,000 people without power. Dumping 18 trillion gallons of water, Florence is the wettest tropical system to ever hit North and South Carolina. Record breaking rainfall, coupled with storm surge, caused a flooding crisis and emergency evacuations across the Carolinas. A total of 48 people have died as a result of the hurricane, 37 of which in North Carolina. The coastal communities of the state were some of the hardest hit, so our initial response efforts are focused in New Bern and its surrounding areas. OUR WORK All Hands and Hearts – Smart Response has been focusing efforts in North Carolina on debris clearing and residential flood cleanup. Having completed our first month of response work, we are beginning to shift our focus away from the initial stages of relief (chainsaw work, mucking and gutting, debris removal), and more towards mold sanitation. With an impressive response from the community for cleanup assistance immediately after the storm, mold sanitation is the greatest need at the moment. Mold sanitation is a critical step in helping homeowners begin to rebuilding.
Left: The first muck and gut crew with homeowners, Aaron and Rebekah, after finishing the site. Above: Volunteer Jasmine, sprays Shockwave on all scrubbed and vacuumed, porous surfaces. After this chemical dries, the home is at a lower risk for mold growth and the homeowner can begin rebuilding.
OUR IMPACT
267
PEOPLE ASSISTED
108
JOBS COMPLETED
154
VOLUNTEERS
1994
VOLUNTEER DAYS
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT Andy Hall, Suzie Spencer, Darrell Coettler, and Matt Litten (all from the Veterans Commandatore Response of Washington State) were some of the first volunteers to join our program. Their team leadership, and chainsaw expertise, has been such a huge asset to the program. Andy spoke with us about his experience: "We’re just proud to be down here. It’s very fulfilling work for combat veterans who have come down to continue their readjustment to civilian life from the military. And this is the type of work that gives them a sense of responsibility, service, and hope and being able to help people in need."
HOMEOWNER HIGHLIGHTS Rebekah, Aaron, and their six kids were forced from their home in River Bend when flood waters rushed thru their front door. The family had purchased their home, just one month before. After Florence hit, they returned to a devastating sight. She was nothing but smiles and hugs though, seeing our team of eight volunteers arrive at her home to start working. “This is such a daunting task to think we were going to have to do this by ourselves. Just the amount of work you guys got done in one day is unfathomable to me. It’s not just the work that gets done though it’s...having people with you and knowing that your not alone. That’s like the biggest thing I think, that people care.” Rebekah’s home was one of our first assessments and our very first completed site! Check out a video interview with Rebekah.
OUR MISSION To effectively and efficiently address the immediate and long-term needs of communities impacted by natural disasters. By listening to local people, and deploying a unique model of engaging volunteers to enable direct impact, we rebuild safe, resilient schools, homes and other community infrastructure.
OUR NORTH CAROLINA PARTNERS
4 YEARS IN A ROW! Only 13% of charities have received at least 4 consecutive 4-star ratings. This means All Hands and Hearts outperforms most of the other 1.5 million charities in America in operational and financial efficiency.
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For additional information: Hana Wilder, Partnership Manager hana.w@allhandsandhearts.org or (774) 762-3180 www.allhandsandhearts.org