Hurricane Florence

This is the main page for up-to-date resources and information on the federal response to Hurricane Florence. Follow the direction of state, local, and tribal officials. (Español)

Sign up for local safety alerts to stay informed:

• ReadyNC mobile app
• South Carolina CodeRED Alerts
• South Carolina Emergency Manager App

Sign up to receive safety tips via text message about hurricanes by texting HURRICANE to 43362. Message & data rates may apply. Learn more about FEMA text messages.

Rumors

During a disaster, information can change quickly and rumors can spread. It's important to verify information before sharing by checking what local, state, and federal authorities are saying first.

• Hurricane Florence Rumors

Disaster Assistance

North Carolina residents in the following counties may apply for disaster assistance: Beaufort, Bladen, Brunswick, Carteret, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Duplin, Harnett, Jones, Lenoir, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pender, Robeson, Sampson, Wayne County.

• Individuals and business owners who sustained losses can visit disasterassistance.gov to check eligibility for federal, state, local, and voluntary organizations in their community that best meet their specific needs.
• Survivors without internet access can check their eligibility for disaster assistance by calling 1-800-621-3362 (Multilingual operators are available press 2 for Spanish). 
• Disaster assistance applicants who use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (EDT) daily.
• Individual Assistance Fact Sheets

Mitigation and Floodplain Management

NFIP Sanctioned Community Fact Sheet

Homeowner’s Guide to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

Hurricane Florence Coordinated Response

Learn more about the combined U.S. Government response.

Returning Home

Below are a few simple guidelines to follow that will make the clean-up and salvage process safer and easier:

• Always wear protective clothing including long-sleeve shirts, long pants, rubber or plastic gloves and waterproof boots or shoes.
• Before entering your home, look outside for damaged power lines, gas lines and other exterior damage.
• Take photos of your damage before you begin clean up and save repair receipts.
• Your home may be contaminated with mold, which raises the health risk for those with asthma, allergies and breathing conditions. Refer to the Center for Disease Control for more info on mold: www.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/pdf/flyer-get-rid-of-mold.pdf.
• Open doors and windows so your house can air out before spending any length of time inside.
• Turn off main electrical power and water systems and don’t use gas appliances until a professional can ensure they are safe.
• Check all ceilings and floors for signs of sagging or other potentially dangerous structural damage.
• Throw out all foods, beverages and medicines exposed to flood waters or mud including canned goods and containers with food or liquid.
• Also, throw out any items that absorb water and cannot be cleaned or disinfected (mattresses, carpeting, stuffed animals, etc.).
• Beware of snakes, insects, and other animals that may be on your property or in your home.
• Remove all drywall and insulation that has been in contact with flood waters.
• Clean all hard surfaces (flooring, countertops, appliances, sinks, etc.) thoroughly with hot water and soap or detergent.

Photos and Videos

• Hurricane Florence Media Page
• U.S. Coast Guard
• U.S. Customs and Borders Protection

Extended grace period for some flood insurance policyholders in areas affected by Hurricane Florence

People who have flood insurance through FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program normally have 30 days from their policy expiration date to pay to renew their policy and ensure continuous coverage. However, in the aftermath of the devastation of Hurricane Florence, FEMA’s NFIP has extended the renewal grace period from 30 days to 90 days for policyholders impacted by the flooding.

NFIP policyholders who meet all of the conditions below have up to 90 days from their policy expiration date to pay to renew their flood insurance policy:

1. The flood-insured property is in a county designated under the Presidential Disaster Declarations for Individual Assistance in either North Carolina and South Carolina; AND
2. The NFIP policy has an expiration date between Aug. 10, 2018, and Oct. 10, 2018; AND
3. The policyholder has not renewed their flood insurance policy.

If a policy expires on or after October 10, 2018, the standard 30-day renewal grace period will go into effect. The NFIP cannot cover any flood claims for losses that occurred after the policy expiration date.   

For more information about renewing flood insurance policies, policyholders can contact their insurance carriers or call the NFIP Call Center at 1-800-427-4661.

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)

Flood Insurance Information for Policyholders

This information will be helpful for people who have flood insurance through FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program.  

Protect your property from flood damage
National Flood Insurance Program policies will cover up to $1,000 in reasonable expenses incurred to protect your insured property, and up to $1,000 to move your insured property away from a flood or imminent danger of a flood. Actions taken might including using sandbags, or water pumps. Learn more and understand more about flood loss avoidance.

Document your property
Take photos and videos of your property from many angles before the hurricane strikes. Photograph appliances, furniture, and other valuable items—anything you might file a flood insurance claim for later if it’s damaged by flooding during the hurricane.

Below are three steps you can take to begin the recovery process following Hurricane Florence. More information is available at File Your Claim and by reading What to do After the Flood.

• DETERMINE YOUR FLOOD LOSS AND REPORT YOUR CLAIM: Once it’s deemed safe by local officials, and you ensured the gas and electricity lines have been turned off, examine your property to determine if there is flood damage. If there is, contact your agent or insurance company to start your flood insurance claim and ask for an Advance Payment to help you begin recovering. Then follow the steps explained below, or visit File Your Claim.
• START CLEANING UP, BUT DOCUMENT YOUR DAMAGE FIRST: Be sure to document your flood loss using photos and videos before you start cleaning up your home. Please keep in mind that as a FEMA flood insurance policyholder, it is your responsibility to minimize the growth and spread of mold as much as possible. Learn more about the Guidelines for Flood Clean Up for NFIP Policyholders.
• FILE FOR FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE: If there is a Presidential Disaster Declaration, file for federal disaster assistance too because you may be eligible for additional funds to help with things like temporary housing. Read more about why it can be beneficial to register for federal disaster assistance.

STEP 1: Start the Claims Process
After experiencing a flood, contact your agent or insurance company to start a claim and consider requesting an advance payment. Make sure you have the following information handy when speaking to your agent or insurance company:

• Policy Declarations page (official document detailing your flood insurance coverage), if available
• How you can be reached: Telephone phone number or alternate contact number; email address
• The insured property location
• The name of any mortgage company(s)

An adjuster should contact you within a few days of starting your claim. If you do not hear from an adjuster, you can contact your insurance agent or company again.

STEP 2: Prepare for your inspection
Before entering, make sure it’s safe to re-enter the building. Take photographs and videos of the damaged property, including items you plan to discard. As much as possible, your photos and videos should document the structural damage; standing floodwater levels (both inside and outside); and damage to appliances, furniture and other items before moving, removing or discarding anything. Your adjuster will need evidence of the damage to your home and possessions to prepare your repair estimate.

• For items like washers and dryers, hot water heaters, kitchen appliances, televisions, and computers, make sure you take a photograph of the make, model, and serial number.
• For your building items (e.g., flooring), retain samples such as carpet, wallpaper, and drapes for your adjuster’s inspection.
• Immediately throw away flooded content items that pose a health risk, such as perishable food items, clothing, cushions, pillows, etc. after photographing them.
• Contact repair services if the building’s electrical, water, or HVAC systems are damaged. It’s important to consult your adjuster or insurance company before you sign any agreement/contract with a cleaning, remediation, or maintenance contractor.

STEP 3: Work with your Adjuster
When your claims adjuster shows up, they should show you their official identification (Driver’s License and Company ID or Flood Control Number [FCN card]). They should also provide you with their contact information, such as their name, email, phone number, and the name of their adjusting firm, and their telephone number.  When meeting with you, your adjuster should cover the following:

• An explanation of the NFIP Flood Claims Process.
• An inspection of your property—during which he/she will scope your loss by taking measurements and photos.
• An explanation of what an Advance Payment is and how or if you can get one.
• Information about how you should present your loss to your insurance company and a discussion about your policy coverage.

Read Important Information After Your Inspection to help prepare you for the visit.

STEP 4: Document Your Loss and Receive Payment
Your adjuster will help you document your flood damage for the claim. Here are some things you can do to support the claims process so it goes smoothly:

• Speak with your agent about your insurance policy, what it covers and read the Claims Handbook.
• Provide the photos and videos of your flood loss to your adjuster. It can be helpful to organize these by room.
• Keep documents showing how you repaired or replaced flood damaged items, such as receipts, bank statements, and contractor’s invoices.  Provide these documents to your adjuster.

The adjuster will work with you to submit an accurate estimate of your flood loss. Be sure you ask your insurance company about any important deadlines you need to meet. This will help ensure you receive a claim payment that reflects your flood loss, within your policy limits.
Unsatisfied With Your Claim Payment?
Your flood insurance company is committed to ensuring that you receive the full amount you are entitled to under your flood policy.  If you receive a letter from your flood insurance company denying all or part of your claim, or you would like to request an additional payment, you have several options to help make sure you receive the full amount due under your policy.

Need Additional Assistance?
Visit our Got a Problem? page.

How To Help

When disaster strikes, every little bit helps. To make the most of your contributions, please follow our guidelines to learn the most effective and safest ways to donate cash, goods, or time following a disaster.To help people affected by the storm, visit National Voluntary Organizations After a Disaster (NVOAD) for a listed of trusted organizations:

• Cash is best. Financial contributions to recognized disaster relief organizations are the fastest, most flexible, and most effective method of donating. Organizations on the ground know what items and quantities are needed, often buy in bulk with discounts and, if possible, purchase through area businesses which supports economic recovery.
• Confirm donations needed. Critical needs change rapidly – confirm needed items BEFORE collecting; pack and label carefully; confirm delivery locations; arrange transportation. Unsolicited goods NOT needed burden local organizations’ ability to meet survivors’ confirmed needs, drawing away valuable volunteer labor, transportation, and warehouse space.
• Connect to volunteer. Trusted organizations operating in the affected area know where volunteers are needed, and can ensure appropriate volunteer safety, training, and housing.

Shelters

Evacuations: If you are in the path of Hurricane #Florence, listen to local officials for evacuation orders. If you need a safe place to go, text SHELTER and your zip code (i.e. SHELTER 12345) to 4FEMA (43362) to locate an open emergency shelter near you.You can also look up shelters on the FEMA App.