Virus forces changes to hurricane readiness in North Carolina

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Any hurricane season comes with a mountain of challenges, but this year is one like we’ve never seen before with the coronavirus pandemic also happening.

WWAY’s Kylie Jones spoke with a local emergency manager as they do their best juggling act to keep up.

During a regular year, New Hanover County Emergency Management is usually doing exercises and planning to get ready for hurricane season.

“This year was a little unique in that we launched straight into a different activation towards the end of Febbruary,” EM Director Steven Still said.

Still says they’ve been going strong since February 25 handling all things coronavirus. As hurricane season quickly crept up, COVID-19 is putting Still’s team to the test.

“Even in activation for COVID, we are not in our traditional EOC (Emeregency Operations Center),” Still said. “We’ve had to work out fo the Health and Human Services building in a much larger room that we can separate into small areas to really abide by the ‘no more than 10 people rule.’”

During a hurricane, Still says dozens of people are usually side-by-side in the emergency operations center working as a unit. Adding in the restrictions COVID puts on the table, Still says it’s going to be difficult.

“We may have multiple EOCs,” he says. “We may have to rely on something as internet and phone communications for connectivity, which we know during tropical events can be dicey and difficult. So for activations, it’s going to be a unique spin for sure.”

The virus also will have an impact of why and how emergency officials will inform people.

“We’ll put more emphasis on evacuating outside of the area because any type of sheltering in a congregate setting is going to be difficult,” Still said.

If shelters are needed, Still says they might have to consider other facilties and change sheltering procedures.

However, the county has already gotten a taste of a dual activation while monitoring the recent Tropical Storm Arthur.

Still says your plans may look different this year, but now is the time to figure them out.

“Have a plan, build a kit and stay informed,” he said.

While New Hanover County says they have sufficient resources for hurricane season, 15 North Carolina counties acknowledged shortfalls or concerns about supplies, with protective gear being the most common worry during a national shortage.

Hurricane season lasts through November 30.