News Flash

For Immediate Release

08/04/2020                        

Phone: 980-432-1800
Website: www.rowancountync.gov/covid-19
Email: covid-19@rowancountync.gov

Rowan County Case Information: https://bit.ly/rowan-covid19-hub

Hurricane Season during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic will add additional challenges and changes to the 2020 hurricane season, which runs from June 1 through November 30. Be prepared before this happens, even if you live in Rowan County.

Plan: Where will you go?

• Make a plan to stay with family, friends, or at a hotel, if you need to evacuate. This will reduce the chances of you being exposed to, or transmitting the COVID-19 virus.
• Staying at a storm shelter is not a good option during the COVID-19 pandemic and should only be considered as a last resort.

Prepare: What else will you need?

• Be sure to include additional supplies in your emergency kit to stay healthy: masks, hand sanitizer, cleaning products, sanitizing wipes.
• Visit ReadyNC.org to learn how to create a family emergency plan and build your emergency supplies kit, as well as to learn about local hazards that could impact your area.

Stay Informed: Who has reliable information?

• Register for emergency alerts from your local government.
• Follow your local government social media channels.
• Subscribe to National Weather Service updates.
• Follow North Carolina Emergency Management on Twitter and Facebook.

Evacuation 

• Protecting yourself from the physical dangers of a hurricane, like storm surge, flooding and high winds takes priority over concerns about COVID-19.
• If your area is ordered to evacuate – do so quickly and calmly. Don’t forget your emergency kit.
• If you are visiting in a coastal community be sure to knowyourzone.nc.gov. Many coastal counties now use these new zones to order evacuations. Make sure you plan for a primary route and an alternate route.

Sheltering

• Social distancing will reduce the capacity at shelters this year. Shelter space in many counties will be limited and should be only considered as a last resort.
• Non-congregate sheltering options like dormitories, campgrounds or other facilities where people can maintain distance may be in use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Follow your local government website and social media channels for sheltering information.

###

Contact:
TJ Brown
704-216-8918
tj.brown@rowancountync.gov

Download Media Release COVID-19 - August 4, 2020 (PDF)