News Flash

UPDATE for Friday, Sept. 30 2022 (9 a.m.) -- Hurricane Ian was downgraded for a time, but has returned to hurricane force winds. A flash flood watch is in effect, and we anticipate three to six inches of rain throughout the storm.  The most significant effects are expected Friday, with conditions improving Saturday morning. Carrboro Fire-Rescue, Police and Public Works departments are working together to respond to potential effects from the storm. The Stormwater Division is also monitoring the storm, which is expected to bring intense rain in a short period of time. Although we can’t prevent flooding, our staff teams have been doing as much possible to prepare and reduce impacts. Please stay home if possible! 

UPDATE for Wednesday, Sept. 28 2022 -- The Town of Carrboro is closely monitoring Hurricane Ian to respond to potential impacts from severe weather beginning Friday, Sept. 30, through Sunday, Oct. 2. Currently the most significant risk is heavy rains and possible localized flash flooding. There is the potential for gusty winds, with minimal potential for damaging winds from Friday through Sunday. There is the very slight risk of isolated tornadoes.

INFORMATION AND RESOURCES 

Weather Information 
Check for news and weather updates at weather.gov/rah/. A detailed storm tracker can be found here: https://zoom.earth/storms/ian-2022/.

Carrboro Ready 
Access emergency information from agencies serving Carrboro at https://townofcarrboro.org/2633/Emergency-Resources-Carrboro-Ready

Emergency Notifications 
OC Alerts is Orange County's mass notification system. Sign up at https://member.everbridge.net/453003085611768/login 

Get Ready Now
Have an emergency kit prepared in advance in case there is a utility outage: Ready.gov/kit (English) and https://www.ready.gov/es/kit (Spanish) 

If you experience flooding:

• Seek higher ground
• Do not walk through moving water. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving.
• Do not drive through flooded areas. (If you find yourself in floodwaters, leave your car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely.)

Keep yourself and your property safe

• Assemble sandbags if your building is prone to leaks from  flooding. 
• Prepare your business’ flood barriers in case of flooding.
• If you have a stream or ditch in your yard, remove any obstructions, including foot bridges, before any rain starts.
• If you see debris on top of storm drains, remove it only if you can do so safely.
• Drain rain barrels and cisterns to provide storage for additional rain. Direct overflow hoses into rain gardens, vegetation, or onto rock splash pads to help spread out the flow and prevent erosion. 
• Keep your children out of streets and away from storm drains. 

Community Closures and Event Announcements 

• Carrboro Music Festival 
  Carrboro Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Department organizers of the Carrboro Music Festival on Sunday, Oct. 2, have posted information in the event of rain. Many of the venues for the music festival are indoors and those should not be affected unless we were to experience widespread power loss.  Some outdoor venues have an option to move indoors.  Those outdoor venues that do not have an indoor option may be cancelled if we receive heavy rain or high wind with rain that may affect sensitive electrical equipment and instruments. Any schedule changes will be communicated via the website at www.carrboromusicfestival.com along with the Town’s social media channels.  The Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Weather Information Line will also be used in the event of a cancellation or change in scheduling.  That number is 919-918-7373.
  
  
• Carrboro 10K
  Le Tour de Carrboro has announced that the road race is canceled for this Saturday. 

Reporting Flooding 
The Town of Carrboro’s Public Works and Stormwater Management teams are clearing many culverts and storm drains to reduce flooding. Just as crews check for issues on public property, residents can help ensure the drainage systems in their yards and neighborhoods continue functioning properly during and after a storm.

1. If you experience flooding, use the online reporting form at https://tocgis.ci.carrboro.nc.us/Carrboro/FloodReport/ If it is an emergency situation contact 911.
2. Contact the Stormwater Hotline at 919-913-2999 or stormwater@townofcarrboro.org
3. Stormwater Service Requests can also be requested online at https://townofcarrboro.org/FormCenter/Public-Works-Department-23/Stormwater-Service-Request-134

Reporting Power Outages 
A power outage is NOT an emergency. Please call your local power company to report an outage. 

Duke Energy - https://www.duke-energy.com/outages 

• Contact the Customer Service line at 800-777-9898 to report and learn why there is an outage. 
• Sign up for text messages to alert you of outages at your home, the estimated restoration time, and (afterward) the cause. Text OUT to 57801. 
• Use the Duke Energy app. https://www.duke-energy.com/home/products/duke-energy-app 

Piedmont Electric 

• Call 800-449-2667 or 800-222-3107. 
• Voice instructions will direct you through the system. 
• Online: https://pemc.smarthub.coop/Login.html Text “pemc” to 800-222-3107. Then text “#out” to report an outage. For outage updates, text “#status”.