Storms & Floods: The Lifeline of Neighborly Connections

08/06/24 • 7 min

Join us in this episode as we interview Wallayce Todd of Community CPR to explore the vital role of community connections in the rural areas of Columbus County after storms. Learn how her organizing, Community CPR, and neighborly bonds transform lives, foster resilience, and strengthen the social fabric of our region's rural communities.
Ten Things to Do to Prepare for a Storm and Flooding:

Create an Emergency Plan: Develop a family emergency plan, including communication methods, evacuation routes, and meeting points.
Assemble an Emergency Kit: Pack essentials like water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, a first aid kit, and important documents.
Stay Informed: Monitor weather forecasts and sign up for local emergency alerts to stay updated on the storm's progress.
Protect Your Home: Install storm shutters or board up windows, clear gutters and drains, and secure outdoor furniture and items that could become projectiles.
Prepare for Power Outages: Have backup power sources like generators and stock up on extra batteries and power banks for electronic devices.
Elevate Important Items: Move valuable items, electronics, and documents to higher ground or upper floors to protect them from potential flooding.
Check Insurance Coverage: Review your home and flood insurance policies to ensure adequate coverage for storm and flood damage.
Plan for Pets: Ensure you have supplies and a plan for your pets, including food, water, and carriers for evacuation.
Know How to Turn Off Utilities: Learn how to safely turn off gas, electricity, and water in case of emergency.
Stay Connected with Neighbors: Build a network with your neighbors to share resources, information, and support before, during, and after the storm.

Never drive into flood water, as it can be deceptively deep and dangerous, risking your safety and the safety of others.
Hosted & Produced by Akshay Gokul

Create an Emergency Plan: Develop a family emergency plan, including communication methods, evacuation routes, and meeting points.
Assemble an Emergency Kit: Pack essentials like water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, a first aid kit, and important documents.
Stay Informed: Monitor weather forecasts and sign up for local emergency alerts to stay updated on the storm's progress.
Protect Your Home: Install storm shutters or board up windows, clear gutters and drains, and secure outdoor furniture and items that could become projectiles.
Prepare for Power Outages: Have backup power sources like generators and stock up on extra batteries and power banks for electronic devices.
Elevate Important Items: Move valuable items, electronics, and documents to higher ground or upper floors to protect them from potential flooding.
Check Insurance Coverage: Review your home and flood insurance policies to ensure adequate coverage for storm and flood damage.
Plan for Pets: Ensure you have supplies and a plan for your pets, including food, water, and carriers for evacuation.
Know How to Turn Off Utilities: Learn how to safely turn off gas, electricity, and water in case of emergency.
Stay Connected with Neighbors: Build a network with your neighbors to share resources, information, and support before, during, and after the storm.

Never drive into flood water, as it can be deceptively deep and dangerous, risking your safety and the safety of others.
Hosted & Produced by Akshay Gokul

Previous Episode

Stormwater solutions positive for the Cape Fear River

When it rains in coastal North Carolina stormwater pours off our plethora of parking lots into the neighborhoods, parks and eventually the Cape Fear River, and with the stream of water pollutants with it. Our increasing number of surfaces don’t allow the water to soak into the ground. Local groups are advancing public education which acknowledge the big public policy issues at play, but also offer solutions we can all take.

The episode features staff from Heal Our Waterways and the Cape Fear River Watch.
Here are ten things you can do about stormwater in Wilmington, North Carolina, New Hanover County, along with helpful links:

Install Rain Barrels: Collect rainwater from your roof to use in your garden.
- New Hanover County Rain Barrel Program
Create a Rain Garden: Plant a garden designed to absorb rainwater runoff.
- NC State Extension on Rain Gardens
Use Permeable Pavements: Replace impermeable surfaces with materials that allow water to seep through.
- EPA on Permeable Pavement
Plant Native Vegetation: Native plants require less water and help reduce runoff.
- NC Native Plant Society
Reduce Lawn Fertilizer Use: Excess fertilizer can wash into storm drains and pollute waterways.
- NC State Extension on Fertilizer Management
Properly Dispose of Hazardous Waste: Prevent chemicals from entering storm drains.
- New Hanover County Household Hazardous Waste Program
Clean Up Pet Waste: Pet waste left on the ground can wash into storm drains.
- EPA on Pet Waste Management
Install Green Roofs: A green roof can absorb rainwater and reduce runoff.
- NC State Extension on Green Roofs
Participate in Community Clean-Ups: Join efforts to clean local waterways and reduce pollution.
- Cape Fear River Watch
Educate Your Community: Raise awareness about stormwater management practices.
- NC Coastal Federation