News
September 4, 2008
City Of Raleigh Readies For Hanna
In anticipation of the potential arrival of tropical storm Hanna, the City of Raleigh staff has reviewed its emergency preparedness plan and has made certain that sufficient work crews and equipment are available to respond as needed.
In 2006, the Raleigh City Council approved the City's comprehensive emergency preparedness plan. The City of Raleigh is currently is operating at emergency operations level one and is closely monitoring the storm and ready to activate the emergency operations center as conditions warrant. City of Raleigh department heads met on Wednesday to review storm response readiness measures. City crews have checked necessary equipment and are ready to respond as needed.
The City of Raleigh will activate the emergency operations center, if needed and may establish a community assistance hotline to help residents through the storm and recovery. In addition, the City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department has the ability to establish temporary shelter that would be available until Wake County Emergency Management could open emergency shelters. The City urges residents to review their family's emergency plan and make certain to have their personal emergency supply kit in place. For more information, visit the City's website at www.raleighnc.gov or www.readywake.com
Raleigh residents should call the City's information number, 890-3000, if they have safety or service questions.
During periods of heavy rain, the City of Raleigh Police Department advises motorists to exercise extreme caution. Heavy rain may cause flooded streets. Downed trees and power lines can make traveling very hazardous. If a traffic signal is out due to a power failure, motorists are urged to treat the intersection as a four-way stop and proceed with caution.
If your residence experiences a power outage or gas outage, report the outage to Progress Energy at 1-800-419-6356 or for gas service call Public Service Company of North Carolina 1-877-776-2427. Do not call 9-1-1 except in an emergency.
Residents are urged to not touch downed power lines as they may be energized. The City of Raleigh Fire Department urges caution when using candles and other flammables in the event of a power outage. Keep candles away from walls, curtains or flammable materials. Read and follow manufacturer's warnings for use of gas and fuel camping lanterns. Store flammable liquids properly. Never store flammable liquids such as gasoline near heating equipment or open flames. Store flammables in properly marked containers and keep containers tightly sealed when not in use. Use an electric starter, cake fire starter or charcoal starter fluid and match to start the fire in a charcoal grill. Never use gasoline to fire up a grill
When starting a gas grill, always light the match before you turn on the gas. Use charcoal grills away from the house and not on decks and balconies. Never use a grill indoors. Never leave a grill unattended. If you experience a power outage while cooking, make certain you turn off your cooking appliances.
Only use an electric generator in properly vented areas. Never use an electric generator in an indoor or enclosed area. Only use an electric generator with a properly installed transfer switch. Back feeding of a generator into your electrical box poses a life threatening situation to power crews should the power from the generator reach utility lines.
Prepared by:
Chris Riley
Senior Public Affairs Specialist
Public Affairs Department
For More Information Contact:
James Mercer
Emergency Management Director
City Manager Department
222 W. Hargett Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-890-3070
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