Summer Storm Season Message from FHA Health, Safety, & Security Director

Summer Storm Season Has Arrived Storm season in Fearrington Village has arrived! While we very rarely experience hurricanes here, we often experience strong storms and occasionally hurricane remnants. Power outages may result, lasting hours to days. It is time to prepare. Emergency preparation guidelines can be found on page 10 of the Fearrington Village Directory and Handbook or on the FHA website. (Remember to log in first.)

Your FHA has updated The Gathering Place to serve as a cooling station for those choosing to remain in their homes during these outages. The Gathering Place is powered by a generator. Multiple outlets will be provided for electronics charging; refrigeration is available for medicine storage; first aid kits are available for minor injuries; and energy bars are available. The Gathering Place is not an emergency shelter. If you choose to go to a shelter, these will be established by the NC Department of Emergency Management and the American Red Cross in locations outside of Fearrington Village. If you have questions, please contact Steve Stewart, director of Health, Safety, & Security. His contact information is below, on the FHA website, and in the Directory.

—Warren Ort, Director, Health, Safety, & Security, healthsafetysecurity@fhaboard.org 

Hurricane Season Preparation Advice from NC Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey

 

Don't let hurricane season catch you off guard, says Commissioner Causey

As today marks the official start of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey is urging residents to prepare now and to arm themselves with important knowledge for if and when a storm makes landfall. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, experts have forecast 2023 to be an above-normal season of activity.

NOAA Predicts a Near-normal 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season

Press Conference on May 25, 2023

Website: https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/2023-atlantic-hurricane-season-outlook

When Exiting Village Way at 15/501 Making a Right Turn on Red, Vehicles MUST Yield to U-Turning Traffic

Many drivers are not noticing this rather small sign suspended on the traffic signal cables and Village Way and 15/501, and there have been many close calls as drivers exiting Fearrington Village with a right turn on red challenge U-turning vehicles in the intersection.

There is also a small sign mounted on a post located on the edge of the exit on Village Way, That small sign is also easy to miss seeing, especially since drivers have to keep their eyes trained on fast-moving 15/501 (55 mph or faster) northbound traffic approaching in two lanes from around a curve on their left to assess whether it's safe to begin making a right turn on red. 

Thanks to the diligence of Warren Ort, the current Health, Safety, & Security FHA Board member and Fearrington resident Russell Davis, NCDOT is currently studying how to improve the signage. During October, NCDOT's traffic unit is pulling together accident data for this intersection to help them understand what solutions might be applicable to the U-turn/Right turn conflict.

In the meanwhile, and afterward as well, please yield as required and eliminate the likelihood of an accident.

Staying Safer from Ticks and the Diseases They Carry in Chatham County

Thursday, April 28, 1:30 pm via Zoom

Summer is coming and that means an increased risk of tick bites and tick-borne diseases in our community. For up-to-date information and advice on prevention, diagnosis and treatment; a history of deer, ticks, and diseases in Chatham County; and personal impact quotes, join this program presented by Dr. Marcia Herman-Giddens, PA, MPH, DrPH, adjunct professor in the Gillings School of Global Public Health at UNC.

Dr. Herman-Giddens worked in the field of child health and maltreatment for over 25 years as a medical provider, advocate, researcher, and teacher. She became interested in tick-borne infections many years ago while practicing pediatrics at Duke University Medical Center. Her interest was further piqued when she moved to Chatham County 14 years ago and witnessed the changing environment and increase in tick disease rates in this area.

Join this program by going to fearringtoncares.org > Services > Education Programs. Click on the Zoom link 10 minutes before the program starts and please make sure your sound is muted.

Emergency Preparedness

Print and Keep This Guide Near Your Phone, or Within Close Reach.

December 2021

Whenever anyone's safety, health or home appears to be in immediate danger, you should immediately call 9-1-1. 

If you should ever have trouble getting through on 9-1-1 because of phone problems, try calling 919-542-2811. If calling from outside Chatham County and need to reach Chatham 9-1-1, call 542-2911.

Non-emergency contact number 919-542-8180 only 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. 

In cases of a serious weather-based, or other, area emergency, the emergency response will be coordinated by Chatham County Emergency Management and will be provided by professionally trained responders. 

Chatham County (NC) Emergency Management Department Website

(Short link https://bit.ly/3djWVah) 

What should I do if I'm told to evacuate? In most cases, you are given instructions at the time of the evacuation orders. These instructions may be to carry certain things to a shelter with you or in some cases (such as a hazardous material leak), you may be told to leave immediately. It is extremely important that you follow directions at the time you are told to evacuate. You should be told where to go and how to get there. In some cases you may be able to drive your car; if you have special needs and need transportation to the designated emergency shelter, register ahead HERE online  (https://bit.ly/2ZXvTSZ) or contact Chatham County Emergency Management at 919-542-2811.

What Emergency Shelter COVID-19 Safety Precautions Will Be Followed?

Open shelters in Chatham County will abide by strict guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID-19. All clients, staff and volunteers are required to wear face coverings and physical distance will be monitored and enforced among individuals not in the same household. Each client will have their temperature checked and must complete a questionnaire related to the coronavirus; those who are confirmed positive or are symptomatic must remain isolated from other shelter clients. The use of cots will be limited to those clients with medical issues, and six feet of distance must be maintained from individuals not in the same household. Meals and snacks will likely be individually packaged, such as boxed or bag lunches, heater meals, and/or Meals-Ready-To-Eat (MRE). Cleanliness will be key at Chatham County emergency shelters. Facilities will be cleaned often, and staff and clients must wash their hands and use hand sanitizer often. Chatham County Emergency Management Director Steve Newton advises that “due to COVID-19 still being present in our community, residents are advised to utilize an emergency shelter as a last resort and should make plans in advance to stay with a family member, friend, or other safe place.”

How do people get the word? By automated calls from the ALERT CHATHAM system: (https://bit.ly/337aecl). To receive such alerts, you must be registered with the system. To register, click on the hot-link above.  Also, listen to the radio for further directions concerning shelter openings:  WCHL-AM (1360), WCHL-FM (97.9), WDCG-FM (105.1), WRAL-FM (101.5), WYMY-FM (La Ley 101.1 in Spanish).

Where would Fearrington Village residents be sheltered whenever the County declares an emergency?  Chatham County Emergency Management will establish facilities and procedures for protracted sheltering at several nearby schools and at several facilities of the Chatham County Council on Aging. Instructions will be provided via the County’s Alert Chatham/CodeRed calling alert system and radio stations listed just above.

Can The Gathering Place (TGP) serve as an emergency housing shelter?  No; The building is not suitable for serving in such a capacity. Emergency sheltering will be supplied by the County, which will also supply transportation to shelter centers for residents with verified special needs (“fragile persons”). We are developing guidelines for the very limited use of The Gathering Place as a temporary “Emergency Information Center,” for short-term warming/cooling, and limited short-term access to emergency generated electric power for charging small priority devises. 

What if I need special assistance during emergency sheltering at a center or at home, or if I am unable to drive myself to a shelter because of my physical condition?  Chatham County has established a voluntary disaster access and functional needs (formerly called fragile populations or special needs) registry, which allows residents to securely register the nature of their special assistance needs and to do so before a disaster strikes. Special assistance may be required for mobility problems, vision and hearing impairment, lack of transportation, critical health issues and other needs which cause unique challenges during an emergency. This database helps the emergency services to check-in with registered residents and to provide transportation to the designated long-term shelter for such residents who may need a ride to get there. Complete details on this new service and the registration link are available HERE (https://bit.ly/3Erx3oL).

How will I know what roads are impassable? Listen to the public media. Most media outlets work with the Department of Transportation to give road condition reports. Do not call 9-1-1 to ask about road conditions; they do not have the information readily available. 9-1-1 deals only with local roads and only for emergency response purposes.

Can my household pet(s) come with me to the county-established emergency shelter?  Service animals for the hearing and visually impaired will be allowed in the shelter; however, contact Emergency Management directly before bringing your pet to any shelter (919-542-2911). All other animals are welcome at the shelter and Animal Services Staff will be on hand to board pets at the shelter site in the best manner possible.

What should I do if told to shelter in place? Shelter in place means that you are to stay where you are until advised to do otherwise. This could be at home, an office, at school or somewhere public. One of the best descriptions of sheltering in place and the considerations for sheltering in place at home during a storm is on the Ready NC (https://bit.ly/3dliSWv) website.

How long will my frozen food last after a power shortage? This depends on the type freezer you have (whether upright or chest type). Most freezers if not opened will keep food 24 to 72 hours. Frozen food that thaws can be cooked immediately and then refrozen. For detailed information related to specific food items, visit this US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety During Power Outage (http://bit.ly/2sGevAV) page.

Where can I get food and/or water? According to advice revised by the Federal Government’s Homeland Security Department, you should have enough food and water (1 gallon per person for 3-7 days) on hand for your family for ONE FULL WEEK as part of your preparedness. When disasters last longer, disaster control authorities will be bringing in water and setting up food stations. People in the affected areas will be informed as to the location of these two distribution places.

Click HERE to download a PDF file containing this information, which could be printed for lamination or other purposes.

For more information about FHA Health, Safety, & Security

• Visit the FHA website (https://www.fearringtonfha.org/index.php), choose the FHA menu tab, then the Health, Safety & Security sub-tabs.

• Also see the Emergency Preparedness pages in the FHA printed Directory and Handbook.

Sign Up to Receive Fearrington Village Emergency Notifications

In your preferences for which FHA communications will be sent to your email address, we strongly urge everyone to subscribe to receive Emergency Notifications. These notifications are used only to inform subscribers of conditions that are of immediate concern and could affect Fearrington.

To be sure you are subscribed, log into the FHA website. On the top menu, select the "Directory" tab, then select the "Update Your Information" sub-tab and use the "e-Subscriptions" tab to be sure you have chosen "Yes" to receive any village emergency notifications. If you change this option, be sure to click "Submit" at the bottom of the page.

2021 Hurricane Season Will Be Active, NC State Researchers Predict

 

2021 Hurricane Season Will Be Active, NC State Researchers Predict

The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season will see 15 to 18 named storms forming in the Atlantic basin, according to researchers at North Carolina State University. The Atlantic basin includes the entire Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.

 

All About Snow and Ice on Our Village Streets and Roads

The effects of the ice and snow we typically experience for portions of each winter remind us of some challenges we can face on our 82 streets and roads in the village. Since some significant storms are possible during our winters, some precautions and contexts are always appropriate:

• • In most instances, residents should plan on having limited driving conditions and possibly slippery walking conditions for 12 - 48 hours following relatively rare instances of heavy snow and/or ice; street and road conditions typically improve quickly within that time frame. 
  • For emergency medical transportation in such weather, contact 911. Emergency responders have the equipment needed to reach homes even during major weather events.

• • The State of North Carolina owns 50 (61%) of the 82 streets and roads in the village. Recognize that only NCDOT and/or its duly authorized, suitably equipped contractors are allowed to plow, treat, or otherwise maintain any state secondary roads in Fearrington Village. The state must give priority to clearing Interstates, four-lane roads, and other main highways first, so patience may be necessary for NCDOT to get to the state secondary roads in the village as well as all across North Carolina. See this table for a list of the state-owned, state-maintained secondary roads in the village. State roads are shaded in ROSE colored-fill background; service group owned roads are shaded with a light gray colored-fill background color. Note that the FHA does not own or maintain any roads in the village.

• • • During the three successive major ice and snow storms back in February 2015, NCDOT began to plow and treat our state roads within a day-and-half to two days following the end of each of the storms. Considering the 909 miles of hard paved roads they must cover just in District 8 (our district), their attention to our roads was quick and was very appreciated.

• • Small neighborhood HOAs (service groups) are responsible for maintaining their own streets and are, therefore, responsible for any winter storm clearing or treatment they may feel is necessary or advisable. Six service groups own 32 (39%) of the streets and roads in the village. See this table for a list of roadways owned and maintained by the service groups.
  • Note that NCDOT does not work in any subdivision in the County after night fall. If residents leave vehicles parked along the edge of roadways within the village, the road crews will not plow that road; therefore, for the sake of neighbors on your street, please do not park your vehicle(s) along the roadway during a snow storm.

Message from FHA Health, Safety, & Security

 

Community Emergency Response Team

December 2020

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program is a nationally supported, locally implemented initiative that teaches people how to better prepare themselves for hazards that may affect their communities. CERT trains them in basic disaster response skills such as team organization, disaster medical operations, fire safety, and light search and rescue. 

Local CERT programs train and organize teams of volunteers to assist their families, neighbors, co-workers, and other community members during emergencies when professional responders may not be immediately available to provide assistance. 

Before, during, and after disasters, CERT volunteer teams perform basic response activities including checking in on neighbors, distributing information to the public, supporting emergency operation centers, and helping to manage traffic and crowds. The ability for CERT volunteers to perform these activities frees up professional responders to focus their efforts on more complex, essential, and critical tasks. CERT volunteers also support their communities by organizing, promoting, and participating in emergency events, activities, and projects.

With training and information, individuals and community groups can be prepared to serve as crucial resources capable of performing many of the emergency functions needed in the immediate post-disaster period.

Some examples of training provided include:

• online classes
• talks by emergency professionals
• and actual field exercises.

Over the summer, CERT volunteers participated along with the CORA Food Pantry in the Farmers to Family program to deliver food to families. CERT provided the manpower to load boxes onto charity vehicles.

In October 2020, CERT volunteers assisted in a Helicopter Aquatic Rescue training event at Jordan Lake. CERT volunteers also worked with the Chatham County Public Health Director to provide traffic control personnel for the Employee Drive-Thru Flu Clinic. This exercise served as a precursor for the possible distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine when made available.

At one time, Fearrington Village had our own CERT program; however, because of statewide CERT budget reallocation, the program was transferred to county control. If you are interested in joining or learning more about the CERT program, contact info@ChathamCERT.org or Fearrington resident Steve Krasnow at kkras4@verizon.net.

Current Knox Box Owners-Please Read.

The Chatham County first responders will be in Fearrington Village during the month of October checking all the current Knox Box owners units. You don't need to be home, we just wanted you to be aware that they will be looking at each unit.

ABOUT the Knox Box Rapid Emergency Access Key Safe: The Residential Knox-Box® is a high-security key safe designed for single-family homes that only local emergency responders can access. With a Residential KNOX-BOX® installed, emergency responders can respond quickly, without forcing entry. They simply remove your entrance key stored inside, provide medical assistance, and re-lock your door when they leave. Order from www.knoxbox.com or call 1-800-552-5669. If you have questions, call the Center at 919-542-6877 weekdays between 9:00-1:00 pm.