Running Head: THE CAROLINA’S DISASTER1
Hurricane Florence: The Carolina’s Most Devastating Disaster
Liberty University
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THE CAROLINA’S DISASTER
Abstract
A look into the effectiveness and limitations associated with Homeland Security’s mitigation,
preparedness, response, and recovery techniques. Research after-action reports will help looking
into the Homeland Security programs present prior to, during, and after the hurricane. The event
will allow researchers the ability to gain an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of
each program and current operating procedures. A disaster of this magnitude requires advanced
preparation leading up the event, during, and after. Hurricanes are extremely difficult to predict
exactly when and where the initial surge will strike first. All forms of communication and
planning should be utilized at all times during any hurricane season. Strategies should include
plans to evacuate, human/animal safety, backup power options, and communication plans.
Lessons learned from this event include the importance of being prepared and how proper
planning throughout the year can mitigate the amount of damage sustained during a natural
disaster.
Keywords: Effectiveness, Hurricane, Florence, Preparation
Hurricane Florence: The Carolina’s Most Devastating Disaster
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THE CAROLINA’S DISASTER
The moment Tropical Storm Florence formed over the Atlantic Ocean and began gaining
momentum, the National Weather Service began their watch of what would eventually be a
massive hurricane to hit the east coast of the United States. Over the next few days in September
2018, researchers were confident that the hurricane would make landfall somewhere in North
Carolina. Prior to the hurricane making landfall the Federal Emergency Management Agency
encourage the local populace to embrace what could be the largest hurricane to make landfall in
the Carolina’s. Prior to the time of impact, Hurricane Florence posed a different threat due to the
unprecedented track, and its array and magnitude of threats are as well. (Freedman, 2018) After
the hurricane’s arrival to the Carolina’s, high winds, deadly storm surges, and record rainfall
were recorded in the state. (Florence Report, 2018).
Hurricane Florence would eventually plague the area along the coast with damaged
infrastructure, allowing state and local officials to do their jobs while being backfilled by
national assets. (FEMA, 2018) Currently, the areas that were affected by the hurricane are still
being rebuilt today. Throughout areas of Onslow County, North Carolina, it is assessed that
hundreds of individuals are still rebuilding their damaged homes. (Pippin, 2020). Local
volunteers are making up the majority of the workers found in the repairment of these homes.
One issue that locals are finding during the repair of their homes are that they do not rate the aid
from government organizations such as FEMA.
Mitigation
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Leading up to a natural disaster such as a hurricane, advanced preparation is key to the
mitigation phase of emergency recovery. Prior to the hurricane, President Trump issued an
emergency declaration to Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. (CRS, 2018) The
emergency declaration signed by the president allowed for aid to flow in for protecting property,
public health and safety, and other activities. (CRS, 2018) After this declaration by the
president, it is FEMA’s job to brief the president on the types of assistance able to be given
and/or granted in certain cases. In North Carolina alone, 34,709 homes were granted federal aid
to rebuild/repair their properties after the hurricane, totaling out at $133,832,959.60. (FEMA,
2018) Without the declaration from the president, this money would not have been allocated to
the areas affected by the hurricane.
In the moments leading up to the hurricane making landfall, the National Hurricane
Center stressed the importance of monitoring local radio or TV stations regarding updated
emergency information, and follow the instructions of state, local, and tribal officials. (FEMA,
2018) Proper planning was the goal message being pushed out by the federal government. The
planning message included preparing emergency supplies, preparation of children needs, proper
amount of pet supplies, secondary living area during the hurricane, and lastly, all important
documentation needed for personal uses. (FEMA, 2018) The news media and officials were
constant reminders on the potential damages one may face. The elderly was also mentioned in
the plans of damage control. Neighbors were asked to check on those that may need assistance
in their local neighborhoods. The moral of the situation is that we need to be on the lookout and
watchful eye for not only ourselves, but others around us. To be successful in mitigation,
federal, local, and community members must plan accordingly to ensure safety of the potential
disaster area.
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Preparedness
Mathew 24:44 states “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at
an hour you do not expect.” Being prepared for the worst, or the inevitable, can save lives or the
property that you own. As mentioned in the scripture, we must prepare now so that we can be
ready for what God has selected to face us with. Regarding Hurricane Florence, the coastal areas
of North and South Carolina prepared for the worst. After the declaration for the president and
the immediate attention from the hurricane, organization like Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services began to implement controls to allow medical location to remain running and
functioning. This allowed those who may be more susceptible to medical issues and in need of
help to maintain their standard of living during the disastrous hurricane. (CMS, 2018) According
to FEMA, President Trump and his Administration were prepared for Hurricane Florence,
prestaging numerous resources and planning Federal assistance. There was no stone left unturned
in aiding the preparedness for the storm.
In the cities of New Bern and Havelock, North Carolina, locals began to prepare for the
hurricane prior to the official hurricane designation. The immediate need for bread, water, and
milk became essential leading up to the storm. (Byers, 2018) This type of preparation allowed
the populace that remained in the local area to have food and water during the event of long-term
closings of stores. Many individuals began to evacuate the coastal areas. Local military bases
were recommending evacuation and ordered not to return until further instructed to do so.
Regardless if the locals or military evacuated or stayed in their homes, the act of preparing for
the worst became a goal of all. Local governments and media outlets were updating everyone on
what to look out for and how to react if they found themselves in a position of need. Local
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officials also opened up emergency shelters in various areas to aid those who may have suffered
damages to their homes.
Response and Recovery
Hurricane Florence did not live up to the strength expectations that news and federal
agencies predicated. The hurricane, a category 2 when making landfall, lost a substantial amount
of storm power after hitting the coast. This was not necessarily a good thing due to the slow
speed the hurricane traveled through the state of North Carolina. The cities along the coast
suffered great damage and losses from the hurricane. The response from agencies like FEMA,
National Flood Insurance Program, American Red Cross, and U.S. Department of Defense were
dialed up and ready to help when called upon. Throughout the remainder of the year and 2019,
cities along the coast were rebuilding their companies and homes Multiple FEMA teams were
prepositioned in the areas support potentially affected areas as needed and requested. (FEMA,
2018)
Once the hurricane had passed and the storm waters returned to a safe level, President
Trump activated nearly 20,000 federal workers to assist with recovery. (White House, 2018)
Recovery was a team effort, much like the preparedness and mitigation phases. Federal
organization were working alongside local administrations and partners to maintain a level of
comfort and to speed up the processes of recovery.
Conclusion
In this example of event mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery, it is important
to witness the importance of being prepared year round for any style of disaster. In the case of
Hurricane Florence, the amount of federal aid prior to and after aided the local coastal
communities in recovering after the hurricane had passed. Presidential support was a key factor
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in receiving different types of aid. From military action to government volunteers, the leader of
the free county was able to see the importance of aid well before the storm struck land. The
intelligence that was collected and passed to leaders were also playing a big role in making risk
decisions. At the end of the day, preventing unneeded and unnecessary damage is based off of
everyone playing their part and being constantly ready when called upon. Hurricane Florence
damaged thousands of homes and businesses, however, it was the pre-planning and volunteers
that rebuilt what the storm had damaged.
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References
FEMA and Partners Respond to Hurricane Florence. (2018, September 14). Retrieved February
28, 2020, from https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2018/09/14/fema-and-partners-
respond-hurricane-florence
Freedman, A. (2018, September 11). Go deeper: Hurricane Florence is a storm threat unlike any
other. Retrieved February 23, 2020, from https://www.axios.com/hurricane-florence-
storm-threat-north-carolina-e81f5cef-8ffd-4a59-8df8-0c62bb54bf37.html
North Carolina Hurricane Florence (DR-4393). (2018, October 11). Retrieved February 28,
2020, from https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4393
Pippin, J. (2020, February 15). Volunteers gather to repair homes as Hurricane Florence recovery
continues. Retrieved February 24, 2020, from
https://www.jdnews.com/news/20200215/volunteers-gather-to-repair-homes-as-
hurricane-florence-recovery-continues
Prepare Together for Hurricane Florence. (2018, September 7). Retrieved February 28, 2020,
from https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2018/09/07/prepare-together-hurricane-florence
President Donald J. Trump's Administration is Providing Support to Those Impacted by
Hurricane Florence. (2018, September 19). Retrieved February 29, 2020, from
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/president-donald-j-trumps-
administration-providing-support-impacted-hurricane-florence/
Reese, S., & Lindsay, B. (2018, February 13). Hurricane Florence: Brief Overview of FEMA
Programs and Resources. Retrieved February 26, 2020, from
https://fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/IN10967.pdf
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