Utilities and Insurance

• Power
  • If the power goes out:
    • Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Food usually stays frozen about 48 hours. A refrigerator can keep food cold for about four hours. Throw out any food if in doubt.
    • Never go near downed power lines. Always assume they are energized and extremely dangerous.
    • Check for electrical damage inside your home, such as frayed wires, sparks or the smell of burning insulation. If you find damage, don't turn your power on until an electrician inspects your system and makes necessary repairs.
    Contacts:
    Progress Energy: To report outages call (800) 419-6356. Check restoration estimates online at www.progress-energy.com/outagemap.
    Brunswick Electric Membership Corp.: (service for Brunswick and Columbus counties and some sections of Bladen and Robeson counties)
    For general services: (800) 842-5871; to report outages: (800) 682-5309; on the Web: www.bemc.org.
    
• Debris pickup
  • After the storm, officials will drive around and assess how quickly debris can be cleared. They advise residents to:
    • Have debris by the curb as soon as safely possible.
    • Cut larger downed limbs into manageable, 4-6 feet lengths.
    • Bag up other yard debris such as sticks and pine cones.
    • Don't mix household trash or hazardous chemicals with yard debris.
    
• Gas
  • Customers can call Piedmont Natural Gas at (800) 752-7504 to report service interruption. Check restoration status updates at www.piedmontng.com. Please call if you smell gas or if a tree has uprooted a gas line.
• Water/sewer
  Cape Fear Public Utility Authority: 332-6550; to report water line breaks and sewer spills: 332-6565.
  Brunswick County Public Utilities:
  Customer service: 253-2655 or (888) 428-4426. On the Web: www.brunsco.net.
  Pender Utility Operations:
  259-1570
• Insurance
  • First, check with your agent or insurance company. If further assistance is needed or you have questions and complaints, contact the North Carolina Department of Insurance, 1-800-546-5664.

The disaster checklist

• General
  • Flashlights and or lantern with extra batteries. Candles are not recommended because they can pose a fire hazzard if left unattended.
  • A corded, land-line telephone. Cordless telephones do not work without power.
  • Extra, charged cell phone battery and or car charger for cell phone.
  • Radio, and or weather radio with extra batteries.
  • Camera and film; extra batteries. To take photographs of damage for insurance purposes.
  • Fire extinguisher.
  • Emergency tools: hammer, screwdrivers, saw, nails.
  • Sterno fuel and unit; charcoal and lighter or propane for gas grill.
• Clothing, Bedding
  • One blanket and or sleeping bag a person, stored in a watertight container
  • One change of clothes and shoes a person, stored in a watertight container
  • Raingear, heavy/sturdy boots or shoes; work gloves, and hat or cap to wear in sun
• Medical, Personal Hygine
  • Personal hygiene items
  • First-aid kit and manuals
  • Sunscreeen and insect repellent
  • Bleach, for demolding
  • Medications and specific medical information. Special infant needs — diapers, bottles formula and food
• Food, Water & Supplies
  • Drinking water. One gallon a person, a day — a three day supply is recommended. (Replace stored water every 6 months)
  • Special infant needs — diapers, bottles and formula, medicine.
  • Pantry well stocked: canned goods, dry milk, dry cereals, powered drinks, pastas.
  • Non-electric can opener; plastic utensils, disposable plates; garbage bags.
  • Extra ice in freezer, when storm is approaching.
• Other Needs
  • Extra cash/credit cards.
  • Car tank filled with gasoline.
  • Flat fixer for tires, properly inflated spare tire
  • Air horn or whistle (to call for help)
  • Fill tub and large containers with water for flushing toilet if water supply stops.
  • Pets inside or otherwise protected, ample supply of pet food.
  • Loose outside objects stored or secured.
  • Tree branches tied or cut.
  • Inventory of personal belongings for insurance claims: A written list and proof of purchase (receipts, warranties) for expensive items. Supplement with photographs or video and keep with important documents in secure location (safe-deposit box, workplace or out-of-state relative).

SHELTER LOCATIONS AND SHELTER GUIDELINES

• SHELTER GUIDELINES
  • Being in a shelter can be a bit stressful when a storm is menacing the place a person calls home. Aside from being polite and patient, if you plan to stay at a shelter remember these tips:
  • Check with the local Red Cross or local Emergency Management Services before heading to a shelter. Locations are subject to change. An updated story on StarNewsOnline.com will provide up-to-date shelter openings.
  • Most shelters are area schools that have the resources to house and feed large numbers of people. Food will be available.
  • Shelters will have cots and blankets for the elderly and those with special needs, but others need to bring sleeping materials.
  • Shelters do not provide day care.
  • Do not bring alcoholic beverages, pets, weapons or extra food that isn't for special diets.
  • Register every person arriving with you at the shelter. Be mindful of space and privacy of others. .
  • Shelters don't allow pets, unless it is specifically designated a pet shelter by the county. Before a storm threatens, contact your veterinarian or local humane society for information on preparing your pets for an emergency.
  • Pack the following items: personal papers and identification, medications (minimum three-day supply), special-care items for the elderly (eyeglasses, medical insurance and Medicare cards, list of doctors, etc.), cots or folding chairs, blankets or sleeping bags, flashlight and batteries, hygiene items, extra clothing, nonperishable special-diet foods, instant formula, diapers, baby food, baby wipes, emergency contact phone numbers, cash and change for pay phones.
  For more information, call the Cape Fear Chapter of the American Red Cross at 762-2683 or visit www.arccapefear.org.
• New Hanover County
  • 798-6900 or www.nhcgov.com
  • Johnson Elementary School, 1100 McRae St.
  • Eaton Elementary School, 6701 Gordon Road.
  • Trask Middle School, 2900 N. College Road, Wilmington
  • Noble Middle School, 6520 Market St. (will house people and pets, but separately)
  • Codington Elementary School, 4321 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington
• Brunswick County
  • 253-5383 or www.brunsco.net
  • North Brunswick High School, 114 Scorpion Drive, Leland.
  • South Brunswick High School, 280 Cougar Road, Boiling Spring Lakes.
  • West Brunswick High School, 550 Whiteville Road, Shallotte.
• Pender County
  • 259-1210 or www.penderem.com
  • Malpass Corner Elementary School, 4992 Malpass Corner Road, Burgaw.
  • Burgaw Middle School, 500 S. Wright St., Burgaw.
  • Cape Fear Middle School, 1886 N.C. 133, Rocky Point.
  • Topsail Middle School, 17385 U.S. 17, Hampstead.
• Duplin County
  • 296-2160 or www.duplincountync.com
  • Beulaville Elementary School, 138 Lyman Road, Beulaville.
  • Wallace Elementary School, 4266 S. N.C. 11, Wallace.
  • North Duplin Junior High, 157 N. Duplin High School Road, Calypso.
  • B.F. Grady Elementary School, 2627 N. N.C. 11/903, Albertson.
  • James Kenan High School, 1241 NC 24 / 50 Highway, Warsaw.
  • Chinquapin Elementary School, 3894 S. N.C. 50, Chinquapin.

• Hurricane Preparedness Pocket Guide
• Hurricane Tracking Map