Updated September 27, 2018 

Help With Recovery Efforts

We're working with FEMA and FNS to provide information on the status of stores in the affected area to help coordinate recovery efforts. Please share information on the status of your stores using the below form.

Store Status and Location for Aid Form

Hurricane Florence General Resources

Infrastructure Information 
NBEOC Atlantic Dashboard for Private Sector Operations

The dashboard is active at https://fema.connectsolutions.com/nbeocatlantic.  NBEOC calls occur daily at 3:00 p.m. ET; you may join that call by dialing 888-877-0354 with Participant passcode: 9132924.

Additionally, the Private Sector Communicator Dashboard is active at https://fema.connectsolutions.com/privatesector.

FMCSA Issues Regional Emergency Declaration

Due to Hurricane Florence, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued a Regional Emergency Declaration for Delaware, District Of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, And West Virginia.

Signed Declaration

    FEMA Region III and IV Contact Info

    FEMA Region IV Regional Response Coordination Center (RRCC) – Logistics:

    FEMA Region III RRCC – Logistics:

    NC Private Sector Liaison Persia Payne- Hurley: Persia.Payne-Hurley@ncdps.gov

    FEMA Regional Private Sector Liaison Map

    Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Emergency Declarations, Waivers, Exemptions and Permits

    A number of waivers have been posted. If there is one you need that is not listed, let us know so we can raise it with FEMA: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/emergency-declarations

    Food Safety Information 

    Stores need to work with their local and/or state retail authority. Some resources are found in the FDA Food Code 2017 on page 335  

    Guidance on Responding to Food Emergencies:

    • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Emergency Preparedness and Response information can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/ehs/etp/food.htm.
    • FDA’s Office of Emergency Operations at 301-443-1240 for FDA regulated products and FSIS Technical Service Center at 1-800-233-3935 for USDA regulated products.
    • Conference for Food Protection (CFP) Emergency Action Plan for Retail Food Establishments, 2nd Edition can be found at http://www.foodprotect.org/.

    The CFP Emergency Action Plan has detailed information on emergency procedures and reopening after natural disasters.  In general, it is necessary to follow emergency plans that have been preapproved by the regulatory authority.  If the scope is outside the plan or no plans are in place, then approval to reopen is necessary.

    CPF Emergency Action Plan

    FDA Regulated Facilities (Distribution centers, central kitchens, manufacturing facilities)
    All FDA regulations need to be followed at all times including all cGMP requirements, all food safety regulations and all labeling regulations. 

    USDA Inspected Facilities (meat processing, deli operations not under retail exemption)
    Because USDA requires continuous inspection, USDA must be on site prior to restarting operations. 

    Food Recovery – Food Safety Guide from CFP
    http://www.foodprotect.org/media/guide/comprehensive-resource-for-food-recovery-2016-version.pdf

    D-SNAP Information 
    SNAP and WIC  Disaster Response Information

    On September 13, 2018, FMI discussed both the WIC and SNAP disaster responses with USDA Food and Nutrition Services.  Please find links to the notes from the discussion: 

    SNAP Disaster Response Notes

    WIC Disaster Response Notes 

    Donation Information 

    Be advised that cash donations are preferred. 

    North Carolina

    D-SNAP Information

    On September 23, FNS approved North Carolina’s request to operate a D-SNAP in 18 counties. FNS has also approved several SNAP waivers for North Carolina related to Hurricane Florence.

    Click Here for USDA's NC D-SNAP and SNAP Information

    SNAP Information

    USDA has reported to FMI that North Carolina has collapsed the remainder of their SNAP issuance schedule for September 2018 as follows:

    Normal issuance date 9/19 – made available 9/18
    Normal issuance date 9/21 – will be available 9/20

    To see the full month’s normal NC issuance schedule: 
    https://fns-prod.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/snap/north-carolina-issuance.pdf

    Retailers in North Carolina can now sell hot foods with EBT cards until 10/31.

    NC SNAP Hot Foods Waiver

    • The USDA requires that a notice or sign alerting customers to these new benefits needed to be posted in your store. We have developed this sign that you can post.

    • SNAP Replacement Benefits Poster:  Under normal circumstances, families have 10 days to report the loss to receive replacement benefits. Due to Hurricane Florence, North Carolina has extended the time frame and families will now have until October 15 to report their loss to their local Department of Social Services office due to displacement, transportation issues, or other storm-related hardships. With many families having been evacuated, they may not know about the additional time allowed. Please help spread the word by voluntarily posting this sign.

    • Neither state nor local sales tax  can be charged when SNAP or D-SNAP is used to make an eligible purchase.
    • The general rule is that no state or local taxes that would appear separately on a register receipt, may be charged to SNAP and D-SNAP recipients.

    Damaged Alcohol and Tobacco After Hurricane Florence

    The beer and wine wholesalers have alerted NCRMA that following Hurricane Florence, their stance--based on North Carolina’s prohibition against contingency sales of alcohol--is that they are not allowed to exchange or pick up items alcoholic items that were damaged by flooding. Separately, the ABC Commission has said that you may destroy alcohol products as you wish. You may want to take pictures of any damaged alcohol for insurance purposes.

    If you have damaged tobacco product, also take a picture of the product for insurance purposes. The next step would be to talk to your wholesaler or manufacturer (if you act as your own wholesaler) about their policies for returning product. It is important to talk to your wholesaler or manufacturer to make them aware of the lost product prior to submitting an order for more product so that your purchase does not get flagged in their system that would generate an audit from the federal ATF for contraband sales. It is recommended that you destroy these tobacco products by cutting packages in half and/or also completing an affidavit that the products were destroyed.


    Infrastructure Information 

    USPS Closed Location Report 

    North Carolina Department of Public Safety Hurricane Florence webpage has information on:

    • Shelters, Rescues and Storm Stats
    • Road Conditions
    • Evacuation Routes
    • Ferry Schedules/Info
    • News Releases on Florence
    • County Emergency Management Agencies
    • Find Your Flood Risk
    • Disaster Assistance

    NCDPS Executive Summary as of 9-27

    Presidential Declaration: North Carolina

     

    The President issued a major disaster declaration, including Individual and Public Assistance, for North Carolina (DR-4393). 

    SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Residents of North Carolina Affected by Hurricane Florence

    • Homeowners, renters and business owners in the following counties are eligible to apply for assistance, under FEMA’s Individual and Households Program: Beaufort, Brunswick, Carteret, Craven, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, and Pender. This includes assistance provided by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to businesses, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters.
      • Individuals, including homeowners and renters, in the above designated counties who suffered loss or damages due to Hurricane Florence may register for assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by downloading the FEMA mobile app, or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). For those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), the number is also 1-800-621-3362.  For people using TTY, the number is 1-800-462-7585.
      • Businesses may apply directly to the SBA online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website at www.DisasterLoan.sba.gov. Additional details on the locations of Disaster Recovery Centers and the loan application process can be obtained by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. 

    NCDPS Hurricane Florence Page

    North Carolina Retail Merchants Association
    During emergencies, the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association (NCRMA) partners with the North Carolina Emergency Management Division. See the below update from NCRMA.

    North Carolina Retail Merchants Association has shared the following information with FMI regarding the September 27 SERT Situation report

    Click here for 9-27 am SERT Situation Report

    SERT River Flooding 

    Status by Locality

    Road Status North Carolina

    NCRMA has created a working document for you to track evacuations, curfews, alcohol restrictions, and more during Hurricane Florence. We will continue to update the document as we learn of developments and encourage you to make us aware of any updates that are not included on the chart. Please save this link to your favorites: bit.ly/NCRMAFlorence 

    Hurricane Florence North Carolina Resources 
  • NC Executive Order 61: Suspends collection of tolls on certain ferry routes
  • NC Executive Order 51: State of Emergency for Tropical Storm Florence
  • NC  Executive Order 52: Transportation Waiver for Utilities and Essential Services
  • NC Executive Order 53: Waiver of Fuel Vapor Regulations
  • NC Executive Order 54: Mandatory Evacuation Order for NC Barrier Island
  • NC Executive Order 55: Temporary Suspension of Motor Vehicle Regulations
  • Federal Motor Carrier Notice of Enforcement - Declaration 2018-007
  • Federal Motor Carrier Declaration Under 49 CFR § 390.23
  • NCRMA's How to Comply Document on Price Gouging

    • North Carolina Reentry Certification

    Once you logon to WebEOC at www.ncsparta.net, go into the Vendor Re-Entry Board and update your information for the 2018-2019 certification. Remember that the action of unchecking and rechecking the box beside your MOA verifies your review, agreement, and allows NC Emergency Management (NCEM) staff to complete the credentialing process. NCEM staff typically respond within 48 hours of your update and leave a shiny green button beside your name in the registry. At that point, you may view the certificate and print as necessary. You can then save the document and email to your drivers and other employees, so they can pull up the certificate on their phone in the event they lose the hard copy.

    Quick steps for renewal:  

    • Log onto www.ncsparta.net and enter your user name and password. If you are unable to log on, please email me for assistance.
    • On the left, above the NCEM triangle logo you will find a blue drop down arrow. Scroll down to Vendor Reentry. Click here and go to the Vendor Access Registry.
    • Scroll down or page over to your organization name and click “Edit.” 
    • Review your company information. Review and update the Point of Contact area.  Make sure your group has at least two POCs. Click "save."
    • Please review the Memorandum of Agreement. When complete, uncheck and recheck the box beside the signature line confirming your review before signing. Click "save" again before you exit.
    • The system will notify me that you are ready. Staff will complete the credentialing process. This will take 1-2 days. The next time you log on, a green "Print" button will appear to the right of your organization name. You may view and print certificates at will.

    NCRMA Staff Contact: Elizabeth Robinson; Senior Director of Government Relations, NC Retail Merchants Association.  (919) 832-0811 or elizabethr@ncrma.org

    South Carolina

    Infrastructure Information

    South Carolina Department of Public Safety Hurricane Florence webpage has information on:

    • Evacuation Routes
    • Know Your Zone
    • 2018 South Carolina Hurricane Guide
    • Hurricane Preparation Tips
    • Real-Time Traffic Updates
    • Disaster Information
    • Traffic Control Plans for Coastal Evacuation Routes

    SCDPS Hurricane Florence Page

    Carolinas Food Industry Council
    During emergencies, the Carolinas Food Industry Council (CFIC) partners with the North and South Carolina’s Emergency Management Divisions to bring CFIC members up-to-date information. See the below update from CFIC:

    State of Emergency: Click here for Executive Order 2018-26.

    Governor McMaster issued Executive Order 2018-27, which waives federal regulations regarding truck weight and hours of service for commercial vehicles, which allows for consistency in regulations between North and South Carolina in advance of Hurricane Florence.

    Road Status South Carolina

    To register your company to receive a SC Reentry Certification pass, click here: SC Business Reentry Certification Registration, then email a list of your South Carolina store and distribution center locations to businessreentry@emd.sc.gov. Businesses do not need to register stores individually. The responsible agent for the company in the State of South Carolina can register with his or her site (office) information and upon entering into the Memorandum of Agreement with the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, will receive the Business Reentry Certification Number for dissemination to all stores within South Carolina. If you have received certification in years past, please note that the passes are valid for three years.

    Please click here for the state's price gouging law.