We are not apart of the county government and actually a small family run business, I will do my best to update info here with what information I find. If we lose power or internet, I can’t keep this page up – Thanks Rhonda

Chatham Declares State of Emergency for Hurricane Florence

Official County Informational Page (Click Here)

Shelter Locations:

Chatham County will open two shelters starting at 7 PM on Thursday night. Northwood is the only site that will care for pets (cats and dogs only) using a mobile kennel facility. No pets are accepted at Chatham Middle. Kennel space is available on a first come-first served basis. Be sure to have pets on a leash or in a crate when you arrive. Please remember that coming to the shelter after the storm arrives will be very dangerous, if not impossible. If you live in an area that is prone to flooding, have no transportation, or have health issues that make staying at place risky, please come to the shelters Wednesday night or very early Thursday.  Remember to bring to the shelter all medications, personal items, and other critical needs.

Chatham School Closings:

Chatham County Public Schools – for More Information visit County School Website

• Closed Sept 13th + 14th
• Closed Monday, Sept 17th
• Closed Tuesday, Sept 18th

Woods Charter School – for More Information visit School Website

• Closed Sept 13th + 14th
  • Makeup Day Sept 19th
• Closed Monday, Sept 17th
• Normal Start Time Tuesday, Sept 18th

Chatham Charter School – for More Information visit School Website

• Closed Sept 13th + 14th
• Closed Monday, Sept 17th
• 2 Hour Delay with a 10am start time Tuesday, Sept 18th

Willow Oak Montessori – for More Information visit School Website

• Closed Monday, Sept 17th
• Normal Start Time, Tuesday, Sept 18th

Haw River Christian Academy – for More Information visit School Website

• Closed Sept 13th + 14th
• *No Info to Update*

Road Closings:

Per the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office Facebook Page

Confirmed Roads Closed due to Flooding as of Sept 17th at 4pm:

Moncure

• Corinth Rd from Aracuo, 785 Corinth Rd, to Dickens RV Park, 2501 Corinth Rd – Completely impassible
• Lockville Rd and Lions Club Rd are closed, citizens on road are still at residences but advised they have 2 weeks of food and are not evacuating at this time
• Not Closed but Monitoring:
  • 3956 Corinth Rd, watching Gulf Creek, water is right at the edge of the road, will advise if they close same
  • Old US 1 at Deep River Bridge, a lot of debris, water is just below the bridge, monitoring water level
  • Bridge at Avent Ferry at Cape Fear River, water is at bottom of the bridge, monitoring water level

Pittsboro

• Pittsboro Elementary School Rd between Sanford Rd and Lockville St due to collapsed culvert and road washed away

North Chatham

• 1000 block Morris Rd – approximately 20 ft of road washed away, between Auburn Ln and Honeybee Ln

Goldston

• Alton King Rd from US 421 S to Goldston Carbonton Rd – completely impassable
• Goldston Carbonton Rd from Alton King Rd south towards Indian Creek Estates – completely impassable
• 350 to 551 Indian Creek Estates completely impassable
• 216 Woody Dam Rd to the Dead End is impassable, the resident at the end has already evacuated
• Plank Rd from US 421 S into Lee Co completely impassible, no residents in Chatham on road

Useful County Apps for Emergencies:

Chatham County Emergency Operations Hurricane Florence OFFICIAL Information Page (Click Here)

Downloadable Maps of Area:

LOOKING FOR A MAP OF CHATHAM COUNTY’S EVACUATION POINTS – I KNOW THERE IS ONE AT CHATHAM COMMUNITY LIBRARY IN PITTSBORO – BUT CAN’T SEEM TO LOCATE ANY KIND OF MAP OR DATA ON LOCATIONS. ALSO, LOOKING FOR MAPS OF ALL OTHER LOCATIONS IN CHATHAM  – MY EMAIL info@chathmcountyevents.com – Thanks Rhonda

Hurricane-Preparedness List:

1. Charge any device that provides light. Laptops, tablets, cameras, video cameras, and old phones. Old cell phones can still used for dialing 911. Charge external battery backups.

2. Wash all trash cans, big and small, and fill with water for flushing toilets. Line outdoor trash cans with trash bags, fill with water and store in the garage. Add bleach to sterilize.

3. Fill every tub and sink with water. Cover sinks with Saran Wrap to keep it from collecting dust. Fill washing machine and leave lid up to store water.

4. Fill old empty water bottles and other containers with water and keep near sinks for washing hands.

5. Fill every Tupperware with water and store in freezer. These will help keep food cold longer and serve as a back up water supply.

6. Fill drinking cups with water and cover with Saran Wrap. Store as many as possible in fridge. The rest you can store on the counter and use first before any water bottles are opened. Ice is impossible to find after the storm.

7. Reserve fridge space for storing tap water and keep the sealed water bottles on the counter.

8. Cook any meats in advance and other perishable foods. You can freeze cooked food. Hard boil eggs for snacks for first day without power.

9. Be well hydrated before the storm hits and avoid salty foods that make you dehydrated.

10. Wash all dirty clothes and bed sheets. Anything dirty will smell without the A/C, you may need the items, and with no A/C, you’ll be sweating a lot. You’re going to want clean sheets.

11. Toss out any expiring food, clean cat litter boxes, empty all trash cans in the house, including bathrooms. Remove anything that will cause an odor when the A/C is off. If you don’t have a trash day pickup before the storm, find a dumpster.

12. Bring in any yard decor, secure anything that will fly around, secure gates, bring in hoses, potted plants, etc. Bring in patio furniture and grills.

13. Clean your environment so you have clear, easy escape routes. Even if that means temporarily moving furniture to one area.

14. Scrub all bathrooms so you are starting with a clean odor free environment. Store water-filled trash cans next to each toilet for flushing.

15. Place everything you own that is important and necessary in a backpack or small file box that is easy to grab. Include your wallet with ID, phone, hand sanitizer, snacks, etc. Get plastic sleeves for important documents.

16. Make sure you have cash on hand.

17. Stock up on pet food and fill up bowls of water for pets.

18. Refill any medications. Most insurance companies allow for 2 emergency refills per year.

19. Fill your propane tanks. You can heat soup cans, boil water, make coffee, and other stuff besides just grilling meat. Get an extra, if possible.

20. Drop your A/C in advance and lower temperatures in your fridges.

21. Gather all candles, flashlights, lighters, matches, batteries, and other items and keep them accessible.

22. Clean all counters in advance. Start with a clean surface. Buy Clorox Wipes for cleaning when there is no power. Mop your floors and vacuum. If power is out for 10 days, you’ll have to live in the mess you started with.

23. Pick your emergency safe place such as a closet under the stairs. Store the items you’ll need in that location for the brunt of the storm. Make a hand fan for when the power is out.

24. Shower just before the storm is scheduled to hit.

25. Keep baby wipes next to each toilet. Don’t flush them. It’s not the time to risk clogging your toilet!

26. Run your dishwasher, don’t risk having dirty smelly dishes and you need every container for water! Remember you’ll need clean water for brushing your teeth, washing, and cleaning hands.

27. Put a small suitcase in your car in case you decide to evacuate. Also, put at least one jug of water in your car. It will still be there if you don’t evacuate! You don’t need to store all the water in the house. Remember to pack for pets as well.

28. Check on all family members, set up emergency back up plans, and check on elderly neighbors.

29. Remember, pets are family too. Take them with you!

30. Before the storm, unplug all electronics. There will be power surges during and after the storm.

31. Gas up your car and have a spare gas container for your generator or your car when you run out.

32. Take a video of your house and contents. Walk room to room–open cabinets/drawers and closets. This will help if you need to make a claim later. It will show proof of items and help you list all the items (help your memory, so you don’t forget anything).

33. How to know if your freezer stayed frozen? You should freeze a cup of water, place a coin on top after it is frozen…keep this in your freezer to help you gauge the temperature if the power goes out. If the coin stays on top, the food is staying frozen. If the coin falls into the water, the freezer thawed out and most food will likely need to be thrown away. This is super helpful if you have to leave and come back, as it may appear everything is still frozen, but if the coin is in the cup–you will know!!

***This amazing list is floating around Facebook and I was unable to determine who actually wrote this. But whomever you are thank you, this is written very well.***

Hurricane Preparedness for:

Horticultural Growers – Beekeepers – Farms – Livestock

Hurricane Preparedness for Growers from Debbie Ross and Protective Measures of Beehives During Hurricanes on the NC State Extention – Growing Small Farms page. For those with Livestock various articles, I have found with information for protecting livestock along with a document that Florida put out about livestock and evacuating which provides some thoughtful insights. The Humane Society of the United States also has a page of information for livestock for disaster planning.

Current County Press Releases on Hurricane:

From Chatham County NC Website – 09/10/2018 at 4:19pm Due to the current forecasts for Hurricane Florence, Chatham County Commissioner Chair Diana Hales has signed a State of Emergency declaration for Chatham County effective immediately through Sunday, September 30, 2018, at 5:00 PM. At this time, Florence is a dangerous category 4 storm and is expected to directly impact much of central North Carolina as well as the coast. The declaration has several important purposes: • It activates the county’s Emergency Operations Plan • It authorizes the County Manager to take actions to protect the public • It encourages residents to stay off the roadways during and immediately after the storm if reasonably possible and to limit travel so as not to interfere with efforts of emergency responders and repair crews. Based on the hurricane’s current track, residents can expect tropical storm force winds, heavy rain, flash flooding, falling trees, and power outages starting Thursday. Outages could last for several days. Residents should complete final preparations by Tuesday and continue to monitor forecasts for any significant changes throughout the week.

From Chatham County NC Website – 09/11/2018 at 2:05pm As Hurricane Florence approaches, Chatham County urges residents to do everything they can to be ready for at least tropical storm force winds, major flooding, downed trees and power lines, and prolonged power outages. Cell phone service also could be interrupted. Chatham County will open two shelters starting at 8 PM on Wednesday night:

• Northwood High School: 310 Northwood High School Rd, Pittsboro, NC 27312
• Chatham Middle School: 2025 S 2nd Avenue Ext, Siler City, NC 27344

Northwood is the only site that will care for pets (cats and dogs only) using a mobile kennel facility. No pets are accepted at Chatham Middle. Kennel space is available on a first come-first served basis. Be sure to have pets on a leash or in a crate when you arrive. Please remember that coming to the shelter after the storm arrives will be very dangerous, if not impossible. If you live in an area that is prone to flooding, have no transportation, or have health issues that make staying at place risky, please come to the shelters Wednesday night or very early Thursday. Remember to bring to the shelter all medications, personal items, and other critical needs. Here are few key items to get done as soon as possible:

• Make sure anything outside that could fly around is brought inside or secured.
• Make sure you have at least a week’s supply of food, water, and medications for humans and pets. Freezing large bottles of water now is a great idea.
• Have at least one battery-powered radio and portable lights on hand.
• Conserve fuel as a much as possible.
• Check now on elderly and disabled friends and relatives, including making sure they are in safe locations.