Dear friends,Â
I am checking in on your safety during Hurricane Helene. Do you need help? Are you or your loved ones in danger? If so, please do not hesitate to contact authorities: call 911 if it's urgent, call 311 if it is not urgent.
Governor Roy Cooper has declared a State of Emergency as Hurricane Helene bears down on North Carolina. Parts of our district are experiencing flooding, heavy winds, property damage, and at least one person has died.
I am praying for all those affected by this storm, and am working continuously to make sure the federal government provides everything it can to help those still in danger.
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I am asking all residents and businesses to prioritize safety and take necessary precautions. Sign up for CharMeck Alerts to stay up to date with local emergency information.Â
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Helpful links from ReadyNC.gov:
Evacuation Orders
Power Outages
Shelter Information
Weather Advisories
Safety First
- Stay home, if possible: Unless absolutely necessary, stay indoors, to reduce the risk of injury from falling debris, downed power lines, or flooded streets.
- Don't drive through standing water: Floodwaters can be deceptively deep and dangerous. Turn around and find an alternative route if you encounter standing water on the road.
- Stay informed: Keep up to date with weather alerts and follow the advice of local authorities.
- Maintain an emergency supply kit that includes everything an individual or family would need – especially medicines, water, nonperishable foods and other supplies that might be hard to find once they're needed.
Downed power lines are common in an event like this. Stay out of standing water. Charge phones and laptops while you can. Move electronics to higher ground if you are able and safe.
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Report Issues
To help keep our community safe and operational, please report any of the following issues:
- Downed Trees, Power lines, etc.
- Flooded streets
- Overflowing storm drains
- Power outages: Report to Duke Energy online or through their mobile app. You can also text OUT to 57801 or call 800.452.2777. Stay informed by receiving Outage Alerts and bookmark Duke Energy's Outage Map to stay updated on estimated restoration times. Customers can also visit duke-energy.com/StormTips for storm safety information.
Other power companies:
- Energy United Electric
- Union Power
- Huntersville Utilities
- Pineville Electric Utilities
- Cornelius, North Carolina Electric Utility Service
Depending on the severity of the situation, please use the appropriate contact numbers:
- For Serious Emergencies (Immediate threats to life or property): Call 911.
- For Non-Urgent Issues: Call 311.
Your reports help emergency services respond more effectively and ensure our community recovers quickly.
As always, my office is here to support you through this challenging time and ensure our community remains strong and resilient.
