Update from Rowan County:

With the exact path and potential local impacts of Hurricane Florence still uncertain Rowan County Emergency Management officials remind you that no shelters are currently open. “At this point we are urging everyone to prepare to Shelter In Place. Shelters will be opened strategically according to community need,” said Emergency Services Chief Chris Soliz.

Residents should monitor local media and social media for current information. Additionally, anyone can sign up for community alerts by visiting https://tinyurl.com/rocoalerts .
Shelter Activation status can be obtained from www.readync.org

Shelter in place: During high winds, go to a small, interior room or hallway on the lowest floor that is not subject to flooding. Do not shelter in an attic. If you loose power in your home use a generator or other gasoline-powered machinery outside and away from windows. If you leave your home do not attempt to walk, swim or dive across flood waters.

Shelter activations: Rowan County Emergency Management, in conjunction with the American Red Cross, will open shelters based on community impact and need. Residents going to shelters should bring blankets, pillows, toiletries, any medications and several changes of clothes. Snacks should be non-perishable and not require refrigeration or heating. Caregivers should accompany any residents who have special needs. Bring formula, baby food and diapers for infants.

 

Staff report

SALISBURY — The Rowan County Emergency Services Operations Center is at Level 3 in preparation for Hurricane Florence, officials said Wednesday.

The center is set up and has been tested but not activated. Changes in levels of activation for the Operations Center are expected and will be made as the storm develops, a spokesman said.

Rowan County Emergency Services officials are in constant communication with state emergency management officials for updates and resource coordination. Planning and preparations for local storm impact is ongoing with community leaders and public safety officials.

Residents are urged to continue preparedness efforts and sign up for community alerts through Code Red, a community notification system, by visiting  https://tinyurl.com/rocoalerts

Additional information can be found via www.readyrowan.org.

Shelters are on standby, but none is open at this point, American Red Cross officials said. Disaster specialist Heather LeMaster said the Red Cross is closely monitoring conditions with emergency managers.

Should shelters be required to open, Rowan County’s director of social services said DSS employees will be on site as administrative staff.

The staff will work to make sure needs are met in the shelter such as health requirements and cultural or religious beliefs that need to be taken into consideration.

Director Donna Fayko said the staff will work to track and keep families together.

“We’re required to provide reports to FEMA about the number of people we serve and how we serve them,” she said.

Medicaid patients will be allowed early refills on prescriptions before the storm. Those who have evacuated to the area will also be covered in the event a doctor’s visit is needed, Fayko said.

The Red Cross will be available to help patients with medical devices that require power in the event of outages, she said.