Program Summary 

Disaster Profile

Hurricane Florence made landfall on September 14th, 2018, with heavy rain over the United States, causing severe flooding 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. Thanks to our partner, Information Technology Disaster Resource Center (ITDRC), the VRC is equipped to process incoming volunteers.

Our initial Response activities included assessments of the affected area, mucking and gutting, debris removal, residential flood clean up and chainsaw work. Later on, we shifted our focus to mold sanitation as it was  identified as the next critical step in helping homeowners to begin rebuilding their lives. We are able to continue this, with thanks to the impressive response from the community for cleanup assistance. 

Having completed nearly 4 months of Response work, we transitioned our efforts towards Recovery activities. Our scope has now expanded to include critical repairs on qualifying homes in Pamlico County and Craven County. As a critical repair program, we will serve the most vulnerable populations, who are still living in their homes. This includes the elderly, the disabled and veterans. As well as this, we will also aid children, people of low-income, and so on. Critical repair work includes installing drywall, insulation, basic cabinetry and appliances. This will help to make their homes safe and comfortable – a critical step in helping homeowners begin rebuilding their lives. Additionally, we are exploring opportunities for community recovery, by rebuilding a community center. While the media attention is gone, the need here is still great. 

Our Impact

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! Thank you for supporting our disaster relief efforts!