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Hurricane Florence: How to support the recovery efforts

There are many ways the University community can support the recovery effort from Hurricane Florence.

Rain by the Old Well.
(Johnny Andrews/UNC-Chapel Hill)

North Carolinians, including students, faculty and staff at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the surrounding community, are asking how they can support the recovery from Hurricane Florence. In particular, they are seeking guidance on donations for the shelter in Chapel Hill and affected locations.

Shelter Information

The shelter at the Friday Center is being operated for the State of North Carolina by the Red Cross in partnership with the University. They are fully staffed and currently do not need additional donations of goods. Monetary donations can be made online, where individuals can also apply to be a Red Cross volunteer.

Supporting the State’s Efforts

Anyone interested in volunteering with the state can sign up through the State’s volunteer website. Volunteers can indicate here if they are interested in volunteering time, supplies, donations or resources to assist communities impacted by Hurricane Florence. Donations to support efforts may also be made directly to local efforts or to the governor’s Disaster Relief Fund.

UNC-Chapel Hill Donation Drive

The University is beginning a drive to collect requested items for affected areas throughout the state of North Carolina. Thanks to UNC Athletics and Marrins’ Moving, several tractor trailers will be provided to deliver supplies. Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 18, the University will be accepting donations of specific items at the Williamson Center parking lot, located directly across the street from the Dean E. Smith Center. These items will be loaded onto the Carolina Football equipment truck and delivered to the hardest-hit locations throughout the state.

The items people should donate include:

  • Non-perishable food items
  • Pop-top canned goods
  • Diapers (baby and adult)
  • Baby wipes
  • Clorox wipes
  • Flashlights/batteries
  • Paper towels/products
  • Water
  • Cleaning supplies (brooms, cotton mops, pails/buckets, sponges, scrub brushes, garbage bags, rubber gloves)
  • Personal hygiene items (toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, gel soap, bar soap, shampoo, deodorant, band aids)

People may bring items to the Williamson Center parking lot at these dates and times:

  • Tuesday, Sept. 18: 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Sept. 19: 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, Sept. 20: 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • Friday, Sept. 21: 7:30 a.m. to Noon

Carolina’s Ongoing Efforts and Information

Although these efforts will help provide some immediate assistance, the aftermath of this storm will necessitate extensive, long-term relief and support for the many affected areas. Opportunities to help will continue to develop. Visit the Carolina Center for Public Service web page for the most recent updates on University Efforts to support Hurricane Florence relief efforts.

To support UNC-Chapel Hill’s relief efforts, donations may be made to: https://give.unc.edu/donate?p=ccps&f=010779

Members of the University community who wish to offer specific expertise and knowledge to the relief efforts are encouraged to contact the Carolina Center for Public Service at ccps@unc.edu.

Cybercriminal activity expected

Numerous law enforcement and security agencies have sent alerts that criminal elements are expected to take advantage of public interest during the Hurricane Florence disaster to conduct criminal activity. We expect that this activity will include attempts to conduct financial fraud and spread malware during and after disaster relief activities.

In the past, malicious actors have used links to fake charities and fraudulent websites to solicit donations for victims or to deliver malware after high profile events.  Because scams and malware campaigns are likely, you should exercise caution before opening related emails, clicking links, visiting websites, or making donations to Hurricane Florence relief efforts.

When making donations, you should consult the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster website at https://www.nvoad.org for a list of vetted disaster relief organizations.

If you have any questions, please contact the ITS Service Desk at 919-962-HELP.