Disaster Services
Proper preparation is vital to limiting the effects of a disaster.
Remember to follow the steps below to remain safe.
How to Prepare
Stay Informed — Stay up-to-date on storm, emergency and evacuation warnings using internet, TV or radio. (See web links below)
Store Supplies — Make sure you are ready for power outages or limited access to transportation by stocking up on items such as flashlights, batteries, blankets, prescriptions, First Aid, water and food.
Protect Property — Take steps to secure your home against wind or water damage. Locate important documents or personal items and store them in a protected, accessible area.
Evacuation and Shelter-in-Place — If an evacuation order is given, leave early and follow posted evacuation routes. Make a plan in advance in case you are required to leave your home. If a shelter-in-place order is given, remain inside your home until the warning is lifted.
Online Resources
(Click images to visit websites)
Downloadable Resources
Support Catholic Charities Disaster Services!
Volunteer Opportunities
Catholic Charities with the Diocese of Raleigh and the Knights of Columbus formed NC Catholics Volunteer to provide opportunities for individuals to support the recovery efforts following recent disasters. To learn more about how you can participate in NC Catholics Volunteer projects, please visit the program website.
The Catholic Charities Disaster Services Program works to help individuals, families, and the community prepare for and recover from natural disasters. While there is no controlling who is impacted by a disaster, economically vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected. When local resources are overwhelmed by a natural disaster, Catholic Charities is ready to respond to the needs of survivors.
Catholic Charities focuses on the response, recovery, and preparedness phases of the disaster cycle. The initial response phase consists of staff addressing the basic needs of survivors by distributing donated items such as nonperishable food and water, cleaning supplies, and hygiene items. During the recovery phase, Catholic Charities distributes financial assistance and provides disaster case management to help families obtain safe and stable housing. Catholic Charities may assist with household expenses such as the first month’s rent, utility deposit, and costs to repair structural damage to the home.
Training and education are critical to increasing resiliency in communities and improving response efforts to future disasters. Throughout the year, Catholic Charities works with the community to conduct two types of events. Public preparedness events share information and supplies with the community while educational workshops train volunteers on how to help their neighbors after a disaster.
Catholic Charities leverages the power of volunteers through the NC Catholics Volunteer (NCCV) program. The Catholic Charities Disaster Services program manages NCCV, which provides the opportunity for individuals who can paint and swing a hammer, or those interested in learning these skills, to work on a construction site and help a family return home after a natural disaster.
**Important Announcement: Hurricane Florence Relief Program Update**
Since Hurricane Florence devastated our area in September 2018, Catholic Charities has been working tirelessly to help families rebuild their lives through the distribution of financial assistance, support through disaster case management, and completing home repairs. This was made possible due to the generosity and support of countless donors and foundations.
Over five years after the flooding has receded, we will begin to close-out our Hurricane Florence Recovery program as we utilize the last of the funds available. While we wish we could continue accepting referrals, we have reached our capacity to accommodate additional cases. As of March 1, 2024, we will no longer be accepting referrals for the Hurricane Florence Relief Program.
For those who have already submitted referrals or are currently receiving assistance, rest assured that our team remains dedicated to supporting you until your needs are met to the best of our ability.
Catholic Charities will continue to be active in preparing the community for the next storm and stands ready to respond again when needed.
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Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh serves 54 counties in eastern and central North Carolina covering 32,000 square miles. FEMA made Disaster Declarations for 27 of these 54 counties. Catholic Charities has offices in Fayetteville, New Bern, and Wilmington which are actively engaged in the recovery effort. Our staff are present in the community before the storm, immediately after the storm, and remain in the community through the long-term recovery process.
In the weeks after Hurricane Florence, staff and volunteers distributed donated supplies such as food and water, cleaning supplies, and diapers to over 11,000 individuals. Staff in our Wilmington Office were packing their mobile truck with diapers to distribute to families as rain from Hurricane Florence still fell.
Staff are now focused on helping families move into safe and stable housing. Catholic Charities has also partnered with the Knights of Columbus to form NC Catholics Volunteers which provides individuals the opportunity to work on repair / rebuild projects. Visit the NC Catholics Volunteer webpage for more information about how you can help.
We expect staff across our service area to still be working with families for years to come.
In 2016, Hurricane Matthew devastated many parts of eastern North Carolina. Catholic Charities responded by providing immediate assistance in the form of donated food and water, baby items, and cleaning supplies. Catholic Charities staff continue to assist families with finding safe and stable housing after being forced from their homes. The group NC Catholics Volunteer was also formed following Hurricane Matthew to provide an opportunity to help in the repair of damaged homes.
If you would like to contribute to the ongoing Matthew Recovery efforts, please visit our donation page and select “Disaster Services” from the drop down menu. If you are interested in volunteering with NC Catholics Volunteer, click here.