Tropical Storm Isaias forecast shifts; NC preparations take different tack in a pandemic
As Tropical Storm Isaias barrels toward the North Carolina coast early next week, state leaders are warning coastal residents to move inland and avoid shelters if possible.
The coronavirus has complicated storm preparations this year for evacuees, shelters and state officials. Many evacuees will have to seek protection outside a shelter, as health officials advise people to social distance and avoid large groups of people, especially indoors.
Tropical Storm Isaias, which is currently battering the Dominican Republic, could make landfall in North Carolina Monday, McClatchy News reported Thursday.
The storm is expected to become a hurricane by Friday or Friday night in central and northwest Bahamas, the National Hurricane Center said Thursday at 5 p.m. It could reach North Carolina’s coast Monday night into Tuesday morning, reports ABC11, The News & Observer’s newsgathering partner.
Mike Sprayberry, the state director of emergency management, said coastal North Carolinians should make plans now for where they’ll seek shelter by finding an inland hotel or staying with loved ones away from the coast.
“Staying at a shelter will not be a good primary option during the pandemic,” Sprayberry said at a press conference Thursday. “If you live in a safe place inland, offer to let family or friends evacuate to your home.”
Shelters have to figure out how to protect people from hurricanes without spreading the coronavirus. State emergency management officials are looking to convert hotels and university dorms into temporary shelters to allow for more social distancing, The News & Observer reported.
Anyone who needs to go to a shelter should visit a state reception center, where they will be directed to a non-congregate shelter, Sprayberry said. The American Red Cross and local governments will screen people at the shelters and help them maintain a social distance.
Meanwhile, the state is looking for young volunteers to help staff shelters. Many of the usual older volunteers will not be able to work at shelters because of the coronavirus pandemic, Sprayberry said Thursday. Sprayberry urged people who are at least 18 to apply to volunteer at a shelter at redcross.org/volunteer.
“The Department of Health and Human Services ... asked for volunteers and they’ve got 100 volunteers to assist us with operating shelters,” Sprayberry said. “We’ve got several contracts that we just reviewed last month that can help us with shelter staffing as well. We feel like, right now, we’re pretty well positioned to operate shelters.”
Sprayberry said residents should start preparing emergency kits that include face coverings, hand sanitizer and cleaning products.
Sprayberry encouraged people to check the N.C. Department of Public Safety’s Know Your Zone website. He said 20 coastal counties will be classified by their risk of storm surges and river flooding.
This story was originally published July 30, 2020 at 5:15 PM with the headline "Tropical Storm Isaias forecast shifts; NC preparations take different tack in a pandemic."