Securing Billions of Disaster Relief for North Carolinians and Communities

Hurricane Florence

Days before Hurricane Florence made landfall in North Carolina in 2018, Thom was already working behind the scenes with Congressional leaders to ensure the state would have the federal resources it needed to respond to the devastating storm in the short-term and the federal resources it would need to recover in the long-term.

Thom led the North Carolina Congressional Delegation’s request for federal long-term financial assistance and successfully advocated for a $1.14 billion down payment of Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Program funding. The CDBG-DR grants will support a variety of disaster recovery activities in North Carolina, including housing redevelopment and rebuilding, business assistance, economic revitalization, and infrastructure repair.

Hurricane Matthew

Before Hurricane Matthew even made landfall in North Carolina in October 2016, Thom was already at work, contacting Congressional leaders to ensure North Carolina would receive recovery funding and resources in a timely manner.

Thom spearheaded the state’s Congressional Delegation’s efforts and delivered, securing more than $400 million in the form of Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding which was authorized by large bipartisan majorities in Congress. This federal assistance provided Hurricane Matthew victims with housing redevelopment and rebuilding, business assistance, economic revitalization, and infrastructure repair.

Thom also successfully secured tens of millions of dollars of Federal Highway Administration funds for the repair and reconstruction of roads that were damaged by Hurricane Matthew and the subsequent flooding.

Be Prepared for When Disaster Strikes

Resources for North Carolinians

As we monitor the Atlantic this hurricane season, I encourage you be prepared and review your hurricane plan. It's always good to check your disaster kit, review your evacuation plan, and ensure you have the tools you need to stay informed.  

Below is some information on how to prepare for hurricane season and other natural disasters.

  • Check Your Disaster Kit: During a natural disaster, you may need to survive on your own for several days. That’s why you should always be prepared by having your own foodwater and other supplies  A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency.
  • Review Your Evacuation Plan: If you are planning to use an emergency shelter, check the location and follow these tips to make your stay even safer. If you have pets, please be sure to include them in your evacuation plans. 
  • Stay Informed: Make sure you know where to find the most up-to-date and accurate information. Click here to view a listing of emergency alert services. You can also download apps from the Red Cross

Additional information on how to plan and prepare for severe weather is located at ReadyNC.org, and the free ReadyNC app is available for download to access real-time weather, flooding, traffic and shelter information.

For life-threatening emergencies, call 911


Coast Guard

24 hour Coast Guard search and rescue for Atlantic Region: 1-757-398-6700

For Power Outages

Duke Energy: 1-800-228-8465

Duke Energy Progress: 1-800-419-6356

  • Customers may also report an outage or view current outages using our online outage map.

Duke Energy also will provide updates on its social media channels to keep customers informed if significant outages occur.

Dominion: 1-866-366-4357

Albemarle EMC: 1-800-274-2072

Blue Ridge Electric: 1-800-448-2383

Brunswick EMC: 1-800-682-5309

Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative: 1-866-511-9862

Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative: 1-800-682-2217

Central EMC: 1-877-766-6769

Edgecombe Martin County Cooperative: 1-800-690-0657

EnergyUnited: 1-800-386-4833

Four County EMC: 1-888-368-7289

French Broad EMC: 1-828-649-2051

Halifax EMC: 1-800-690-0522

Haywood EMC: 1-800-951-6088

Jones-Onslow EMC: 1-800-681-4146

Lumbee River EMC: 1-800-683-5571

Pee Dee EMC: 1-800-693-0190

Piedmont EMC: 1-800-449-2667

Pitt and Greene EMC: 1-800-622-1362

Randolph EMC: 1-877-736-2633

Roanoke Electric Cooperative: 1-800-358-9437

Rutherford EMC: 1-800-521-0920

South River EMC: 1-888-338-5530

Surry-Yadkin EMC: 1-336-356-4141

Tideland EMC: 1-800-637-1079

Tri-County EMC: 1-800-548-4869

Union Power: 1-800-794-4423

Wake EMC: 1-800-743-3155