-from the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Raleigh)
Raleigh/Wake County, N.C., was mostly unaffected by Hurricane Florence, which passed through our area of the state over the weekend. At this time, RDU Airport is fully operational with on-time arrivals and departures. In addition, most of the major roads within the Raleigh area are also safe to drive on.
Our hospitality community stands ready to welcome first responders, evacuees and visitors with open arms. In fact, many of our restaurants are donating a portion of their proceeds to help with relief efforts. We do not take for granted just how lucky we were here in Raleigh/Wake County, and our thoughts are with those communities within the state which need help most.
The N.C. Disaster Relief Fund is also currently accepting contributions for Hurricane Florence damage; contributions will help with immediate unmet needs of Hurricane Florence victims and can be made online or by texting “Florence” to 20222. Together, North Carolina will get through this. Learn more about the N.C. Disaster Relief Fund below, with information from Visit NC.
NC Governor’s Relief Fund FAQ
What is the fund for?
The Fund will cover immediate and short-term unmet needs including but not limited to medicine, food, fuel, utilities, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, car repair, and rent/mortgage assistance.
How can I donate to the fund?
Go to www.governor.nc.gov, send a donation to NC Disaster Relief Fund, 20301 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-0301 or deliver a donation in person to Office of the Governor 116 W. Jones St., Raleigh, NC 27603
Who is eligible to receive support from the fund?
The Fund is intended for victims who have immediate needs and cannot get assistance from other sources, including government programs, cannot wait until they receive other assistance, or have losses that are not covered by insurance.
Who decides where the money goes?
Local leaders in the affected counties who know their residents best. Counties will receive allocations from the fund and will determine the specific distributions from those allocations.
What is the deadline for applying?
There is not a deadline for applying. Assistance will be available from this fund until all funds are distributed.
How quickly will assistance be provided?
As quickly as possible. Applicants will be required to provide information confirming their need for assistance.
The devastation caused by Hurricane Florence is unlike anything North Carolina has ever seen. The storm has churned through wide swaths of the state. We are caught between grieving the loss of life, property and dreams and at the same time doing whatever we can to ease the suffering of our fellow North Carolinians.
Governor Cooper has been singularly focused on saving lives — ordering mandatory evacuations, deploying the N.C. National Guard, seeking disaster designations from the federal government.
We are asking individuals and organizations to consider making a donation to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund. Funds are intended for survivors who have immediate needs but cannot get assistance from other sources, including government programs, cannot wait until they receive other assistance or have losses that are not covered by insurance. A panel of stakeholders from emergency management, social services, housing, local government and business will advise on directing funds where they’re needed most. We have an experienced administrator on loan from a North Carolina foundation to work with the relief fund on the distribution, management and accounting of funds.
If you would like to make a large donation and would like to speak with someone, please contact Jenni Owen at 919-628-5058. To make an online donation, go to https://governor.nc.gov/. For U.S. mail, send a donation to NC Disaster Relief Fund, 20312 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699. And to deliver a donation in person, go to the Office of the Governor, 116 W. Jones St., Raleigh, NC 27603. Some of you might want to make donations of food, water or other staples. For these donations, please contact Persia Payne-Hurley with NC Emergency Management to make arrangements ([email protected]).
A number of major businesses already have announced donations to this critical effort, which is an incredible start. We are hoping that you can be part of this important fund, too.
As Governor Cooper has said, “We are North Carolina. We will get through this.” Coming out the other side of Hurricane Florence depends on all of us caring for our neighbors. It is going to be a long journey. So your leaning in to help your fellow North Carolinians is appreciated more than you’ll ever know.
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Eleanor Talley
Tourism Public Relations Manager
Visit North Carolina
Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
15000 Weston Parkway Cary, North Carolina 27513
desk > 919 447 7783
mobile > 919 525 5292
visitnc.com
Email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties.
