Cleveland EMS to help during Hurricane Florence

Sept. 11--As Hurricane Florence gained more power in the Atlantic Tuesday, Matt Childers and Josh Bowen with Cleveland County EMS gathered supplies before heading to Elizabethtown in Bladen County just 60 miles from the coast. They are part of the CCEMS Ambulance Strike Team which is an emergency response team that deploys anywhere in the state during emergencies.

The duo received their orders at 2:30 p.m. Monday and got to work filling their ambulance with cots, water, doubling up on medical supplies and throwing in a couple of personal flotation devices just in case.

"You never know what kind of devastation could happen," Bowen said. "Our hope is that we don't have to use any of this."

After seeing the destruction of Hurricane Matthew, a category 1 hurricane, two years ago, Childers and Bowen know it could be wishful thinking.

"We are hoping for the best, but planning for the worst," Childers said.

Getting stronger

Florence became a category 4 hurricane Monday, with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph as it moved west-northwest at 15 mph about 975 miles from Wilmington, according to a National Hurricane Center advisory issued at 5 a.m. Tuesday.

"Life-threatening storm surge is likely along portions of the coast," Steven Pfaff, warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Wilmington, told The Wilmington Star-News. "Damaging hurricane-force winds are likely along portions of the coast as well. The damaging winds could also spread well inland."

On Tuesday morning, President Donald Trump signed an emergency declaration for North Carolina, making federal emergency aid available to the state. The order is retroactive to Sept. 7 and authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide federal resources "to alleviate the impacts of the emergency."

The hurricane center said Florence is expected to continue getting stronger into Wednesday. While the storm will weaken before making landfall, it is still expected to be a major hurricane -- category 3 or stronger -- when it comes ashore.

Flooding across the state

A major worry is flooding, Bowen said.

When Childers and Bowen were out in the Bladen County area for Matthew, the flooding left a devastating effect across eastern North Carolina. They are expecting much worse this year.

"The rivers are trying to push water out to the ocean, and the ocean is trying to push water up the river. It's got nowhere to go really," Childers said.

Flooding is also a concern back home.

Cleveland County Emergency Services is expecting anywhere from 12 to 14 inches of rain and upwards of 50 mph winds through the weekend. Perry Davis, director of the county Emergency Management Service, also warns of potential flooding and power outages throughout the county.

"We have emergency equipment on standby and will be prepared to set up shelters in impacted areas if needed," Davis said.

Getting ready

People are heeding warnings that come with Florence.

Shopping carts full of water, bread and other supplies steadily went through the doors of local grocery stores as people descended upon them Tuesday.

"You should have a three-day supply of prescription medicines, food and water for your family and pets, in case you have to shelter in place," Davis said. "You should keep your cell phones charged and have flashlights with extra batteries in case of a power outage."

An influx of people could also be seen at the gas pump as warnings of the potentially devastating storm increased. But people should cautious if they plan on driving during the hazardous weather.

"Heavy rain could play a major role in disrupting motorists across the Carolinas in the coming days," said Tiffany Wright, AAA Carolinas spokesperson. "Make sure to be extra vigilant behind the wheel and avoid flooded areas. Just a few inches of water can turn your vehicle into a boat and could put your life, and the lives of those around you, at great risk."

More may go

If the storm lives up to its potential, more emergency responders could be headed east.

"We probably won't be the last," Bowen said.

Childers and Bowen are deployed for the next five days but believe they will be there for longer.

"I'm packed for eight to 10 days," Bowen said.

As the state prepares for Florence's landfall, memories of Matthew's impact on the state aren't forgotten by the two first responders and this storm has them concerned.

"I'm not going to lie. I'm worried," Bowen said.

Joyce Orlando can be reached at 704-669-3341 or find her on Twitter @Star_J_Orlando.

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