Hurricane Recovery

Elsa_Damage_Gum_Branch_Rd_Tree_Removal-210708-05Resources & Assistance

Flood Resources: https://www.readync.gov/stay-informed/flood-information

Recover & Rebuilding Resources: https://www.readync.gov/recover-and-rebuild

Flood Insurance Facts: https://www.iii.org/article/facts-about-flood-insurance

FloodSmart: https://www.floodsmart.gov

Jacksonville Neighborhood Improvement Services: https://jacksonvillenc.gov/139/Neighborhood-Improvement-Services

Additional Resources:

Onslow County Emergency Services: https://nc-onslowcounty.civicplus.com/534/Emergency-Services

Current Weather Alerts: https://www.readync.gov/weather

Evacuation Orders: https://www.readync.gov/stay-informed/evacuation-orders

Shelters: https://www.readync.gov/stay-informed/open-shelters


Consumer Awareness: 
Price Gouging, Fake Charities, & Home Repair Scams

The City of Jacksonville is urging Citizens to be mindful of potential scams during the Hurricane Florence recovery period. Natural disasters often bring out the best of people when neighbors help neighbors but unfortunately, some unscrupulous individuals may seek to take advantage of people in their time of need.

The three most common types of natural disaster scams are price gouging, home repair scams, and charity fraud. If you are a victim of a disaster recovery scam please call the NC Department of Justice at 1 877 5-NO-SCAM to file a complaint.

Price Gouging

Price gouging is when a business or individual is charging too much for services during a disaster. Raising prices to take advantage of people during a crisis is against the law.

Home Repair & Tree Removal Scams

Home repair scams often involve people asking for payment for a service up front after which they disappear with the money, having completed no repair work. Depending on where you live, there may be free debris removal options. Call 211 to find out more. If possible, use a contractor recommended by family or friends, get different estimates, have the contract in writing, and pay with a credit card instead of cash.

Fraudulent Charities

Charity scams involve people or organizations asking for money to assist with disaster recovery but the money received is kept instead of being spent on recovery.  We strongly urge you to consider assisting local charities that demonstrate good practices all year long. Many churches, local civic clubs and others are also helping with relief efforts.

If you consider other charities, the Better Business Bureau and Guidestar.org are two resources for identifying reputable charities. If you choose to give, use a credit card for payment. Be sure to ask the charity how your donation will be spent.

Joint Federal, State, Local Public Notice

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and North Carolina Emergency Management have received the following applications for Federal grant funding. Notice is hereby given of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s consideration to provide funding in the form of a Hazard Mitigation Grant. 

Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), federal actions must be reviewed and evaluated for feasible alternatives for social, economic, historic, environmental, legal, and safety considerations. Under Executive Order (EO) 11988 and EO 11990, FEMA is required to consider alternatives to and provide public notices of any proposed actions in or affecting floodplains or wetlands. EO 12892 also requires FEMA to provide an opportunity for public participation in the planning process and to consider potential impacts to minority or low-income populations. 

Funding for the proposed project will be conditional upon compliance with all applicable federal, tribal, state and local laws, regulations, floodplain standards, permit requirements and conditions. 

Applicant: City of Jacksonville, North Carolina Project Title: City of Jacksonville Expedited Acquisitions 

Location of Proposed Work: The area affected by this project consists of sixteen (16) properties located on the following streets in the City of Jacksonville: Shoreline Drive. Maps of the project areas associated with the grant applications can be reviewed by contacting Maggie Gurule at 919 825-2570. 

Proposed Work and Purpose: This will be a voluntary acquisition program. For all property owners who decide to participate in this voluntary program, the properties will be acquired using HMGP grant funds and demolished using PA funds. Once demolished, the properties will be deeded as open space in perpetuity and will be allowed to revert to their natural state. 

Project Alternatives: The alternatives to the project that have been and will be considered are 1) the no action alternative and 2) structure elevation. These alternatives to the proposed project are not viable because under Alternative 1) the property will remain vulnerable to flood risks, including property damage and health hazards; as such, continued negative impacts on the property, residents, and community may be experienced; and under Alternative 2), structure elevation would be difficult to age and condition. 

Comment Period: Comments are solicited from the public; local, state or federal agencies; and other interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of the proposed project. The comments should be made in writing and addressed to NCEM Hazard Mitigation Branch, Attn: EHP Specialist, 4238 Mail Service Center, Raleigh NC 27699-4238, or emailed to HMGrants@ncdps.gov, by March 31, 2019. The State will forward comments to applicable agencies as needed. 

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The deadline has passed for survivors to register for disaster assistance from FEMA and to apply for a U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loan, but help is still available from the state and federal governments.


Federal Assistance

U.S. Small Business Administration
Economic injury disaster loans are available from the SBA to provide disaster-related working capital to small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations. These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. The deadline to return economic injury disaster loan applications as a result of Hurricane Florence is June 14, 2019. Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via the SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoan.sba.gov.

U.S. Housing and Urban Development
HUD has activated the Disaster Assistance Hotline for North Carolinians living in HUD-assisted housing who were affected by Hurricane Florence. Call 800-304-9320. Survivors can also email recovery@hud.gov to contact HUD. Additional information is available at HUD Disaster Relief Options for FHA Homeowners.

The Federal Housing Administration insures mortgages on single family and multifamily homes, including manufactured homes. Call the FHA 800-304-9320 to learn about resources. To find an approved lender near you, visit HUD Lender List Search.

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Farmers and ranchers may also be eligible to apply for disaster assistance for damage or losses from Florence. Along with FEMA grants and SBA loans, farmers and ranchers may be eligible for emergency loans through the USDA’s Farm Service Agency. Eligible losses covered by emergency loans and other programs may include crops and livestock. For more information, go online to fsa.usda.gov or visit the nearest FSA office.

Internal Revenue Service
Survivors of Hurricane Florence may qualify for disaster tax relief from the IRS. Taxpayers may be eligible for deadline extensions to file returns or pay taxes and may be able to claim qualified disaster losses. The IRS may waive fees and expedite requests from survivors. To download forms and publications, go to irs.gov or call 800-829-3676.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The website for the Office for Civil Rights division of HHS provides information on effective planning, response and recovery for people who have special needs. Before, during and after a disaster, members of this population may have additional needs to maintain independence, communication, transportation, supervision and medical care. Visit Office of Civil Rights Special Needs Training.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
The SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline a national hotline, offers year-round disaster crisis counseling. You may call 800-985-5990 (TTY 800-846-8517) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you feel distressed because of the effects of Hurricane Florence, you may use this free service. It is toll-free, multilingual, crisis support. Visit the website at samhsa.gov for more information.

Disaster Fraud Hotline
If you suspect fraud, waste, abuse or mismanagement of disaster relief operations, call the Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721. (Calls can be made anonymously and confidentially.)

State Assistance

For information regarding Hurricane Florence recovery visit the North Carolina Department of Public Safety at ncdps.gov/Florence or call 919-733-2126.

North Carolina Emergency Management IA Helpline
The NCEM Individual Assistance Helpline, 919-825-2378, is available for those who suffered damage or loss or property as a result of Hurricane Florence or have issues related to their FEMA status updates, appeals, unmet needs, housing assistance, repairs, and medical equipment.

ReadyNC
Download the ReadyNC app. This all-in-one tool provides resources for everything from traffic jams to hurricanes and ice storms. The app gives information on real-time traffic and weather conditions, river levels, evacuations and power outages.

NC 2-1-1
Survivors who do not qualify for FEMA disaster assistance may call 2-1-1, the statewide information line that 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 disaster-related resources.

Housing
The North Carolina Department of Human and Health Services, in partnership with the NC Coalition to End Homelessness, the NC Housing Finance Agency and other state agencies and partners, is continuing to house individuals and families affected by Hurricane Florence at risk of homelessness through the Back@Home initiative. Back@Home may help those who don't qualify or receive limited FEMA assistance and still need help with housing or other services.

Available Housing Information
North Carolina residents who have been displaced by Hurricane Florence may search for available housing on NCHousingSearch.org, Property owners and managers can add and/or update listings of available units. Login or call toll-free 877-428-8844 for assistance.

Disaster Legal Services
Free legal services are available for low-income survivors of Hurricane Florence. Attorneys may be able to assist survivors with disaster-related legal matters. Call the Disaster Legal Hotline at 833-242-3549.

Legal Aid North Carolina will help Hurricane Florence survivors file FEMA appeals and reconsiderations at free Saturday clinics on January 12 in New Bern, February 9 in Wilmington, and February 23 in Morehead City. For details, go online to legalaidnc.org/about-us/news/fema-appeals-clinics.

Disaster Distress Helpline
If you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed by Florence, call the Disaster Distress Helpline at 800-985-5990 any time day or night to speak with a trained crisis counselor. Or text TalkWithUs to 66746. For Spanish, text Hablanos to 66746. Additional information is available online at Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disaster Distress Helpline.

Insurance Hotline
If you need help with your insurance claim or settlements, call the North Carolina Department of Insurance at 855-408-1212. For more information, go to NCHurriClaims.com.

Services for Seniors
North Carolina has many programs and services for seniors. Details are available on the Department of Health and Human Services website: ncdhhs.gov/assistance/aging-and-adult-services

County Departments of Social Services
Every county in North Carolina has its own local social services agency. A directory with contact names, addresses and phone numbers is on the Department of Health and Human Services website: files.nc.gov/ncdhhs/documents/files/directory_5.pdf

Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Services
The NC Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services works to promote excellence in prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation programs for persons with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse disorders in North Carolina. Visit their website: ncdhhs.gov/divisions/mhddsas

City Recovery Assistance

Jacksonville City Hall is open to serve our Citizens with normal business hours.

Permits for Repairs or Rebuilds
The City of Jacksonville Planning & Permitting Division will waive the cost for permits to repair or rebuild your home due to Hurricane Florence damage. The cost of permits will be waived through March 31, 2019. Although the fee will be waived, contractors should still get a permit to do repairs or rebuilds. Please call Jacksonville Planning & Permitting for more information at 910 938-5232.

Construction and Yard Debris
The FEMA-authorized debris removal process has ended. City crews will collect any remaining hurricane debris items, and regular size limits and charges will apply for pickups. Residents working with contractors for repairs should arrange for debris removal as part of their contract or pay the City to pick it up.

At this time, only normal yard waste piles, household garbage and recyclables placed in City container will be regularly picked up. Appliances, electronics, furniture and specialty items will be picked up on specific days, but it is best to call the Sanitation Division at 910 938-5338 to notify them of the item for pickup.

Hazard Mitigation Information & Forms
Statement of Voluntary Participation for Acquisition of Property for Purpose of Open Space FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program

Post Hurricane Flood Permitting Notice, City of Jacksonville

Other Local Support

Food & Supplies

Onslow Community Outreach Soup Kitchen, 600 Court Street, Jacksonville
Onslow Community Outreach website and Facebook page.
For more information, call 910 455-5733.

Volunteer & Donate

Want to Volunteer to help in the recovery process? Visit volunteeronslow.org

Financial Donations
NC Community Foundation Disaster Relief Fund
NCCommunityFoundation.org, 919 828-4387
Toll Free: 800 532-1349

Donate Food & Supplies
Onslow Community Outreach Center, 1210 Hargett Street (the old Piggly Wiggly)
Phone: 910 455-5733

Red Cross - redcross.org or call 888-892-1162