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Disaster / Emergency Preparedness
Welcome to Ready Orange
Your "one stop shop" for preparedness information in Orange County!
Sign up for Emergency Alerts
OC Alerts is the public alert and warning system for Orange County. All Orange County residents are encouraged to sign up for OC Alerts to get important public safety messages! Visit ocalertsnc.com to sign up!
Stay Home / Travel Safety
- The safest thing residents can do starting Friday evening is to stay home and off the roads.
- Road conditions are expected to deteriorate overnight Friday and throughout the weekend.
- Staying off roadways allows first responders, NCDOT crews, the NC National Guard, and emergency workers to operate safely and respond to urgent needs.
Orange County Closures and Delays for Feb. 3
All Orange County Government administrative offices and facilities will open at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 3, due to road conditions.
- The Solid Waste and Recycling Centers on Eubanks Road (Chapel Hill) and Walnut Grove Church Road (Hillsborough) will open at 10 a.m., while the other three centers will be closed tomorrow. Recycling collection will be delayed by one day this week. Recycling normally collected on Monday, Feb. 2 will be picked up on Tuesday, Feb. 3 as road conditions allow. To accommodate residents, the Eubanks Road and Walnut Grove Church Road recycling centers will also be open on Wednesday, Feb. 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Orange County Public Transportation (OCPT) will resume fixed-route bus service at 10 a.m. tomorrow. Demand-response rides may be delayed for some passengers during the morning. Individuals affected by delays will receive a call from OCPT.
- Blackwood Farm Park and Little River Park are currently scheduled to open at noon tomorrow, but people should call 919-245-2660 or check social media in the morning for updates.
General Preparedness Information
- The National Weather Service - For up to date weather forecasts, storm tracks, and preparedness info
- ReadyNC.org - For much more information in North Carolina including evacuation info and more on specific hazards
- Red Cross Disaster Services - Your source for Red Cross information
- OC Alerts - Orange County's Public Alert and Warning System
When an emergency strikes your family may be without power or access to grocery stores, running water or other day-to-day necessities. The best way to prepare for that is to build a Family Emergency Kit. The Kit should have some basic items, but should match you and your family - like a fingerprint, no two kits will look exactly alike.
The Kit will be helpful whether you are staying at home or you have to leave on short notice.
If a disaster strikes your family may be split up already, or be split up as a result. The best way to assure that you can make contact is to make a plan for how you all will check-in and get back together.
There are more ways than ever to become better prepared and more connected to an emergency response than ever.
Power Outages
- Duke Power - 800-769-3766 Duke customers may also receive text notifications for power outages in their area. Text REG to 57801 for text alerts. With outage alerts, we'll notify you by text, voice message or email when you have an outage. We'll also send status updates and estimated restoration times.
- Piedmont Electric - Main Office 800-449-2667 or Report Outage 800-222-3107 (PEMC outage map)
- PSNC - 877-776-2427 (Signs of a gas leak)
Downed Trees & Debris
- For downed trees and other debris in a roadway, assure that you are in a safe location and call 911
- For downed trees on private property contact the primary insurer of the property and then contact a private debris removal company
Flooding
- Report flooding by calling 911
Shelters
Orange County will coordinate the opening of emergency shelters with support from the Department of Social Services, Health Department, Animal Services, and the American Red Cross when the need arises. There are 2 primary Orange County Emergency Shelters:
- Orange Middle School
308 Orange High School Road
Hillsborough, NC 27278 - Smith Middle School
9201 Seawell School Road
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Considerations
Shelters require you to be as informed and prepared as possible:
- If you need special assistance in a disaster call 919-245-2884 to register for assistance before a disaster strikes.
- Shelter locations may change depending on the emergency
- Listen to the radio for further directions concerning shelter openings:
- WCHL-AM (1360), WCHL-FM (97.9), WDCG-FM (105.1), WRAL-FM (101.5), WYMY-FM (La Ley 101.1 in Spanish)
- Shelters will have food or water, but will not have easy access to medications or many other personal needs.
- If you must have transportation, emergency transport may be provided to you by calling 919-245-6100.
- Bring Picture ID
- Regularly taken medications
- Insurance information
- Bedding
- Towels
- Comfortable Clothing
- Personal radios - with headphones
- Games , reading material or other things to pass the time - especially for children
- Specialty items for your needs
- Do not bring weapons, illegal drugs, candles or valuables
- Smoking is not allowed inside the shelter
Animal Preparedness
- Orange County Animal Services provides emergency animal sheltering at all Orange County emergency services
- Service animals for the hearing and visually impaired will be allowed in the shelter
- All other animals are welcome at the shelter and Animal Services Staff will be on hand to board pets in the best manner possible
- Owners of large animals and livestock should make preparations for their animals as very limited support will be provided in a disaster
- Pets and Animal Preparedness
Resources
American Red Cross Website
919-489-6541 or 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) - 24 hours a day
Weather conditions and forecasts
National Weather Service's regional website
Indoor and outdoor personal safety
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website
Fire safety during cold weather
National Fire Protection Association website
Food safety after power outages
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Preventing frozen pipes
American Red Cross website
Special Needs Registry
https://orangecountync.gov/577/Special-Needs-Registry
Orange County Towns
Town of Carrboro
Insurance Claims Assistance
Legal Aid of North Carolina - www.legalaidnc.org or 1-866-219-5262
Insurance Claims and Appeals - Legal Aid of North Carolina
North Carolina Department of Insurance
In a Disaster|NC DOI
For questions, call the Consumer Services Division of the Department of Insurance.
Human Services Resources
Mental Health
Crisis 988 Lifeline
Text or call; 988 or chat www.988lifeline.org
Alliance Health
877-223-4617 (available 24/7)
Disaster Distress Helpline:
1-800-985-5990
El Futuro
El Futuro Website
919-688-7101
Freedom House Recovery Center
Freedom House Recovery Center
1-866-275-9552 or 919-967-8844
Orange County Road Closures
To view the most up to date list, visit: https://drivenc.gov