Local units on standby for Harvey relief with eyes on Irma
By Steve Herring
Published in News on September 1, 2017 5:50 AM
Some local emergency response units are on standby, but as of yet have not been called into service in hurricane-ravaged Texas.
However, relief fundraising efforts are underway through such organizations as United Way.
Also, state officials continue to monitor Hurricane Irma, a category 2 storm packing 100 mph winds, moving west northwest in the south Atlantic Ocean.
The storm is expected to be a major hurricane with winds greater than 110 mph by Tuesday morning when it will be just west of the Leeward Islands.
"We are holding plenty of resources in reserve in case Irma is an issue for North Caroling next week," said Keith Acree with the N.C. Department of Public Safety. "We are monitoring Irma's progress.
"North Carolina has 30 swift water rescue teams. Only five were deployed to Texas."
Acree said he is not aware of any Wayne County resources involved in the Texas response.
The Arr-Mac Search and Rescue Team has not been called, but could be ready to leave within two hours of being activated said Arrington Fire Chief Randy Rodgers.
The Salvation Army mobile kitchen also is on standby.
"I don't think we will be going," Rodgers said. "We are kind of on standby. We are pretty much ready to go all of the time."
Members of the Arrington and Mar-Mac volunteer fire departments, as well as Wayne County Sheriff's Office deputies, make up the team.
The state's swift water rescue program is organized by North Carolina Emergency Management which supports the teams with training and funding.
There are 30 highly trained swift water rescue teams positioned across the state that meet national standards and can be deployed anywhere within North Carolina or across the country.
Teams are capable of a variety of rescues including using small boats and other equipment to rescue people from flooded homes and others stranded by floodwaters in precarious locations.
The program was born in the wake of Hurricane Fran in 1996 when North Carolina Emergency Management recognized the need to develop an inventory of available teams with basic rescue capabilities.
United Way of Wayne County urges anyone who wishes to make a direct financial donation to the relief effort to support the United Way of Greater Houston's Flood Relief Fund.
This fund will help with the recovery needs of those most impacted, local United Way officials said.
All of the money raised by United Way of Greater Houston's Flood Relief Fund will be used to help with both immediate, basic needs and long-term recovery services such as case management and minor home repair.
"Our first priority will be safety, shelter and basic needs such as food and essentials for those affected," said Anna M. Babin, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Houston. "Once the community is stabilized, then United Way will focus on long-term recovery efforts. Since this situation is still unfolding, we realize the needs will be great."
As a leading community resource in times of disaster, United Way of Greater Houston invests in first response efforts through its partnerships with organizations such as American Red Cross and The Salvation Army, Babin said.
United Way of Greater Houston serves as the convening organization to bring together non-profit and community partners as well as civic and government stakeholders from throughout the Greater Houston area to coordinate recovery efforts, both assessing the needs and providing support where it is needed most.
To give to the United Way of Greater Houston's Flood Relief Fund, visit unitedwayhouston.org/flood or text UWFLOOD to 41444.
Local residents also can make a financial donation to the Red Cross disaster recovery efforts by logging onto redcross.org, calling 800-RED CROSS or texting "Harvey" to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
The Salvation Army will also take monetary donations. Anyone wanting to donate can send a check to the Salvation Army, 610 N. William St., Goldsboro, N.C., 27530.
For more information about making donations to the Salvation Army, call the local office at 919-735-4811.