Tornado touches down in Raleigh

 

 

 

 

Raleigh/Wake 911 center dispatched more than 1,800 emergency calls and answered more than 3,400 calls from citizens

 

 

 

 

To learn about preparing for emergencies, visit www.wakegov.com/readywake

Help Through the Storm and Beyond

On April 16, 2011, a wave of tornadoes impacted the State of North Carolina. One storm cell spawned a tornado that touched down in Wake County no less than eight times, caused four deaths and impacted over 3,100 homes and business in excess of $115 million in damages. The storm left hundreds temporarily homeless.

During and immediately after the storm the Raleigh/Wake 911 center dispatched more than 1,800 emergency calls and answered more than 3,400 calls from citizens – three times the normal volume. All calls were answered within 20 seconds of being received.

The initial response to the storm required more than 350 personnel from multiple County departments, to work in coordination with the State, FEMA, local towns and private partners.

In the weeks following the storm, locating housing for the displaced, business recovery, property repair, road clearing, debris clearing and mental health counseling were high priorities. Through a collaborative effort and coordinated communications, all of these needs were addressed.

In the aftermath of the tornado, approximately 6,900 people received disaster food and nutrition services in Wake County.

Damage assessments were shared with Geographic Information Services to create a map showing the path of the storm and the hardest hit areas. Data was shared with FEMA to facilitate rescue efforts, emergency declarations and planning for debris removal. 

Wake County, the City of Raleigh and N.C. Department of Transportation worked together to remove debris after the April 2011 tornado. A specially designed interactive map gave people the ability to enter a street address and find out who was collecting their storm debris.

To learn about preparing for emergencies, visit www.wakegov.com/readywake. To stay informed during a crisis, follow @ReadyWake on Twitter or sign up to receive phone, text and e-mail alerts at www.wakegov.com.