Thread by @GodlessNZ

(1) #Florence #PhotoThread starting 9/14/18.

I have several related threads on the go at the moment. To find them, enter "(1) from:godlessnz" in the Twitter search bar then select the "latest" tab.

My key message: Heed safety warnings to protect yourself & loved ones.

(2) To save time I'm presenting photos without locations and names. Most of the initial batch are from the area first hit in NC: Wilmington, New Bern, James City and surrounds.

Urban SAR team uses poles to check for debris & holes as they walk through floodwater.

(3) Rescuers with part of the huge tree that fell on a home, killing 2 & critically injuring a 3rd occupant.

Tree broken off the stump, showing winds were strong enough that sodden soil wasn't always a factor. Being Cat 1 =/= low risk.

Literally a set of steps floating by.

(4) National Guard and others rescuing people and pets. Photo 3 shows someone on home oxygen supply. There is still time for people to ask for help before the water rises in their area. Medical care can be arranged at shelters and so on.

(5) This shows the damage done in Myrtle Beach, SC, from just the "outer bands" of #Florence. Debris like bits of metal become lethal weapons in the wind. Like a bayonet being thrust toward you.

Evacuate when safe to do so, or shelter in place until all clear is given.

(6) These drivers have ignored official advice and common sense by driving through floodwaters. 12 inches of moving water can wash a regular sized vehicle away and even kill you. And you can't see obstacles or sink holes.

(7) This "volunteer rescuer" is driving under a half-fallen tree AND close to power lines, which must be treated as live unless u know otherwise.

Do not self-deploy. It causes MORE work for rescuers.

PRE-register with a FEMA-endorsed nvoad.org member org first.

(8) This dog (named Tag) is safe & well.😎

Colorado handler Adan Cooper pets Tag while paramedic Fred Salaza gives IV fluids to help the dog stay healthy during his search & rescue work. (You can't make a dog drink more water.)

Heroes, all. #Florence #ThankYouResponders

(9) Robert Simmons Jr. and his kitten "Survivor" are rescued from floodwaters after Hurricane Florence in New Bern, N.C.

Survivor is scary and cute at the same time, no?

(10) "#SalvationArmy #HurricaneFlorence update -- 25,329 meals, 23,111 drinks and
10,211 Snacks served so far ... meal count doubled from this morning ... proud of our canteen crews!" @SalArmyEDS

Staff & #volunteers doing this. If able, pls donate here: give.helpsalvationarmy.org

(11) Daily reminder, there are #NoPoliticsOnTheBoat. The charities large and small that always care for disaster survivors can make good use of your donations.

@FEMA endorses @NationalVOAD, which lists its member sites at nvoad.org.

From Hurricane #Harvey:

(12) It's not all doom and gloom. People helping each other get through, with laughter, generosity and love.

(13) Waiting for a crew to arrive, a Police car stops to warn of a tree that is hanging by some downed power lines.

People are advised to stay off the roads if possible & if you see downed power lines, keep at least 30 feet away. Always treat them as if they are live.

(14) A high school cafeteria that has been set up as a shelter, on 9/13/18 before #Florence arrived. The couple in the second photo appear at bottom right of the photo.

(15) People lining up at a gas station and a supermarket on Day 1 of #Florence in NC.

(16) Crew members resting between rescues.

(17) Highway 17 exit ramp damaged by #Florence storm surge in New Bern, NC. The large number of road and bridge safety inspections and repairs needed across the state means this is a marathon, not a sprint.

(18) A 4 feet storm surge may sound small, but look at what it did to this building.

(19) Some of the #prepping steps taken.

>Wrapping gas pumps to stop potential flying debris (& to deter attempted use)

>Removing planks to allow water through a deck

>Placing dirt on flood-prone rail tracks.

(20) Prepping before the storm and venting with a "message" to #Florence. Re-used boards in the third photo show some of the previous storms to hit NC & SC.

(21) A tourist boat was swept onto a rail bridge. I wish more operators/owners would take their vessels out of the area beforehand, if they are able to. Damage can cost jobs, hurt the economy, and delay recovery, affecting everyone.

(22) This woman in Lumberton, NC called for help and was rescued by members of the Cajun Navy.

(23) Some helicopter rescues have started. And those from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln will be there soon. On Monday the Navy sent about 30 Norfolk-based vessels out to sea for safety. From today (Sat) they're starting to return.

Story:

https://twitter.com/13NewsNow/status/1041025156246896640

(24) "Team #NWS at the Morehead City, NC office during #Florence. We're missing 2 in this picture, one of which has extensive damage to his home with water coming in thru the roof. Know that we are safe and no matter what, ready to continue serving you. #ncwx" @NWSMoreheadCity

(25) "Responders from the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) are being briefed at a new state-run med shelter in Charlotte, NC following #HurricaneFlorence. NDMS Disaster Med Assistance Teams & National Veterinary Response Teams care for patients & service animals." @PHEGov

(26) Oh man, I just found this album of hundreds of great, up to date photos of @USNationalGuard personnel responding to Hurricane #Florence. Take a look, they are inspiring. And informative. Thank you all. 🇺🇸🦅

nationalguard.mil/Features/2018/…

(27) A rescuer "looking for residents who stayed behind in Fayetteville, NC." Note that the cars could have been parked on higher ground like the truck was. 12" of water is enough to sweep away a car & risk life. Paramedic uses pole to check for obstacles/sinkholes ahead of him.

(27) Rescuers wade through the floodwater, keeping the boat free for children, pets & others who need to be out of the water if possible.

(28) There's normally 120k people in Wilmington, NC but those who stayed behind are now cut off by floodwaters & any needed supplies are being airlifted in. This food store was open until noon & allowed only 10 people inside at a time.

Always have enough supplies for >7 days.

(29) On Saturday, residents of a Fayetteville assisted living facility were evacuated to a church as a precaution before the flooding hit that night. It's easy to criticize & say this should've happened earlier but it's impossible to move millions of people. They're safe now.

(30) A Lumberton firefighter holds on to two nursing home patients as a member of the Cajun Navy drives his truck during the evacuation of a nursing home due to rising flood waters in Lumberton, N.C., on Sept. 15, 2018.

(31) Rescuers from Colorado and Oklahoma helped rescue 5 evacuees and 4 Army National Guard members after truck carrying the 5 evacuees to an evacuation center lost control in the flooded road Sunday near Lumberton, NC.

(32) Police investigating reports of looting in Wilmington, NC.

Disaster looting is a bad move anywhere, but potentially provoking vigilantism in the South takes a special kind of stupid.