Recovering from Florence

While North Carolina moves from emergency response mode to recovery mode, residents still need to be careful in areas that were hit by the storm’s fierce rain and wind.“Florence is gone but the storm’s devastation is still with us,” said North Carolina Governor Cooper, in a prepared statement.In all, 35 lives were lost due to Hurricane Florence. Seven rivers are at major flood state and three are at moderate flood stage. Some roads are still closed, and residents are being advised to not travel to the following counties due to flooding: Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Duplin, Jones, Lenoir, Pender, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland and southeastern Wayne.As of Sept. 24, there were still 800,000 homes/businesses without power, 2,200 residents still in shelters, and approximately 78,000 North Carolina residents had applied for federal disaster assistance.Those facing a hurricane can learn from the victims of Hurricane Florence. Remember, it is critical to not ignore the storm warnings, especially when those warnings include a dangerous storm surge. A storm surge happens when ocean water is pushed toward the shore due to high hurricane winds. Storm surges can cause severe damage, especially to beaches, highways, and even businesses and homes.Something else you should never forget during a hurricane is your four-legged friend. If you are evacuating, find a pet-friendly shelter. If you are staying with a friend or family member, ask them if you can bring your pet. If it is not possible, find someone who can watch your pet in your absence or find another place to stay. I know that last sentence may seem harsh, but animals should never be left alone during a storm.Perhaps the one good thing that comes from a hurricane is the sense of community after the storm. I’m sure we’ve all seen the heartwarming videos of people coming together to make it through the aftermath of Florence.Whether we are affected by a hurricane or not, it’s always a reminder to ask ourselves, “are we ready for the next one?” Make sure you’re ready with Hurricane Impact Windows and Hurricane Shutters.Contact us today so you can learn about the options that will work best for you.