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Isaias/COVID-19 Update

Washington, DC, August 11, 2020
Here is today’s update on both the hurricane recovery process and the COVID-19 outbreak:

I visited Oak Island, Ocean Isle Beach and Holden Beach yesterday to see firsthand the damage Isaias inflicted.  Other areas in Brunswick County, including Southport, took a hit as well.  Here is today’s update on both the hurricane recovery process and the COVID-19 outbreak:

  • Here’s the latest from Brunswick County:
    • The County has terminated its State of Emergency, effective yesterday at 5 p.m.
    • The County will hold a free cleanup week at the county landfill in Bolivia from Aug. 17-22 for Brunswick County residents and property owners.  Individuals with questions can contact Brunswick County Operation Services at 910.253.2520
    • The Home Crisis Cleanup hotline is open to request free help with response needs including roof tarping, chainsaw work, drywall/flooring/appliance removal, mold mitigation, and debris removal.  Call the toll-free number to request assistance: 844-965-1386
    • The Brunswick County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) helps direct individuals to resources they need following a disaster event.  Visit the Hurricane Isaias Community Assistance webpage for more information and resources.
    • Residents of Brunswick County who received damage as a result of Hurricane Isaias can self-report their damages online now.  Self-report your property’s damage here.
    • More information from the County’s hurricane webpage available here.
    • Specific information for individuals with debris or damage available here.

  • Here is information from New Hanover County:
    • The county will collect vegetative debris in the unincorporated areas of the county at no cost to residents this week.  Construction and demolition debris will not be collected, though residents can bring storm related debris to the landfill at no cost during regular operating hours.
    • Residents who sustained property damage from Hurricane Isaias should submit a property damage report to the New Hanover County Tax Department at Tax.NHCgov.com
    • Some good news: county officials reported that they had not been notified of any deaths of NHC residents as the result of COVID-19 last week.
    • The County also announced that beginning today, families impacted financially by COVID-19 can apply for child care or housing assistance through federal funding distributed to the County by the CARES Act.  $1.3 million of CARES Act funding directed to New Hanover County will provide financial relief to families in need of child care or assistance to families at risk of losing their homes due to the pandemic.  More information as well as how to apply, available here.

  • Launched due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the N.C. Department of Commerce’s Job Retention Grant (JRG) program is now accepting applications from businesses and non-profits. To receive grant funds, organizations must meet specific eligibility requirements, read the instructions carefully, and fill out the online application form.
  • N.C.'s Department of Health and Human Services has several upcoming free community COVID-19 testing events, including several in Duplin and Wayne Counties.  Click here for exact times and locations.

  • The Johnston County Public Health Department is warning residents of a scam involving calls offering free $100 gift cards.  The scammers claim to be from the Public Health Department and offer the gift cards in exchange for shipping and handling.  If you receive one of these calls, HANG UP IMMEDIATELY and report it to the N.C. Department of Justice by calling 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.

For today’s good news story, I’m highlighting Janeen Williams, owner of Majik Beans in Wrightsville Beach.  Janeen is just a few weeks out of the hospital after fighting off a serious lung infection due to the coronavirus.  Cleared to go back to work by her doctor, Janeen is back taking orders and serving up coffee.  We’re glad to have you back, Janeen!

As always, stay tuned to Coronavirus.gov and the NC Department of Health and Human Services’ website for the latest on the outbreak.