Program Summary 

Disaster Profile

Hurricane Florence made landfall on September 14th, 2018 which caused a flooding crisis throughout the Carolinas. The subsequent record-breaking rainfall from this storm system led to many flash floods, road closures, power outages, and emergency evacuations. Despite weakening into a category 1 storm, 90mph winds uprooted trees and left 80,000 people without electricity. Sadly, 48 individuals lost their lives as a result of Hurricane Florence.

Our Work

Our team is currently working in New Bern, North Carolina; a city severely impacted by Florence. Upon arrival, we set up the Volunteer Reception Center (VRC) which opened on Friday September, 21st. According to city officials, the largest need in this community was volunteer coordination.

Having completed nearly 4 months of Response work, we have transitioned towards Recovery efforts. Our initial attention was focused on activities such as assessments of the affected area, mucking and gutting, debris removal, residential flood clean up and chainsaw work. We then shifted our focus to Mold Sanitation, which was identified as the next critical step in helping homeowners to begin rebuilding their lives.

Our scope has now expanded to include critical repairs on qualifying homes in Pamlico County. As a critical repair program, we will serve the most vulnerable populations (elderly, disabled, veterans, children, low income, etc.) currently living in their homes.  While not giving our beneficiaries finished homes, the goal of this program is to provide a comfortable and safe living environment to a greater number of individuals. Our homeowners will be given a working kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, living space, and drywall/insulation.  

Our Impact

Thanks to our partner, Information Technology Disaster Resource Center (ITDRC), the VRC is equipped to process incoming volunteers. We have extensive experience in setting up VRCs, including our work on the aftermath of the Gatlinburg fire, where we processed over 13,000 volunteers who donated over 92,000 volunteer hours.

All Hands and Hearts arrives early and stays until the job is done. The time to get involved is now. Please make a donation or register to volunteer today!

Featured Video 

Stay up to date with the latest developments in the wake of Hurricane Florence.