Ready Hillsborough

The town issues emergency notifications through OC Alerts, Orange County's mass notification system. This system can contact individuals and businesses through a number of methods. When the town issues a notification about a potential safety hazard or concern, citizens will receive a message through the voice or text communication methods of their choosing. 

The system is only used to deliver emergency information. Contact information is protected and will not be used for any other purpose.

Federal and state government agencies offer online disaster information:

• The U.S. Department of Homeland Security offers information on emergency planning and preparation, including disaster plans for families, the elderly and pets. The department also provides information specific to different types of natural and man-made hazards. The website is available in English and Spanish.
• The N.C. Department of Public Safety offers additional information on these topics in English and Spanish.

See the sections below for additional information.

When an emergency happens, your family may be without power or access to grocery stores, running water or other day-to-day necessities. The best way to prepare for this possibility is to build a family emergency kit. The kit will be helpful whether you are staying at home or you have to leave on short notice.

• Buy a Red Cross emergency preparedness kit
• FEMA's recommended kit
• ReadyNC's recommended kit

Your family may be split up when disaster strikes or split up as a result. The best way to ensure contact is to make a plan for how you will check in and get back together.

• FEMA's Guide to Making a Plan

There are many ways to become better prepared for an emergency response.

• Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs)
• Public Health Reserve Corps
• The Red Cross

Outages:

• Duke Energy — Call 800-POWER-ON (English) or 866-4-APAGON (Spanish) and view the Duke Energy outage maps. Duke Energy customers may also receive text notifications for power outages in their area. Text REG to 57801 for text alerts.
• Piedmont Electric — Call 800-449-2667 or 800-222-3107 and view the Peidmont Electric outage map.
• PSNC Energy — Call 877-776-2427 and view signs of a gas leak.
• CenturyLink — Call 800-244-1111.
• Spectrum — Call 800-892-2253.

Downed trees and debris:

• For downed trees and other debris in a roadway, ensure you are in a safe location, and then call 911.
• For downed trees on private property, contact the primary insurer of the property, and then contact a private debris removal company.
• Report non-emergency storm damage to Orange County.

Flooding:

• Report flooding by calling 911.

Orange County officials work with the Orange County Chapter of the American Red Cross to open emergency shelters when the need arises. There are two primary emergency shelters:

• CW Stanford Middle School, 308 Orange High School Road, Hillsborough
• Smith Middle School, 9201 Seawell School Road, Chapel Hill

Shelters require citizens to be as informed and prepared as possible.

• Those needing special assistance in a disaster should call 919-245-2884 to register for assistance before a disaster strikes.
• Shelter locations may change depending on the emergency.
• Listen to the radio for further directions concerning shelter openings (see the "stay informed" section of this page).
• Shelters will have food and water but will not have easy access to medications or other personal needs.
• Emergency transportation can be provided by calling 919-245-6100.
• Bring the following to a shelter:
  • Photo ID
  • Regularly taken medications
  • Insurance information
  • Bedding
  • Towels
  • Comfortable clothing
  • Personal radios with headphones
  • Games, reading material or other things to pass the time — especially for children
  • Specialty items for your personal needs
• Do not bring weapons, illegal drugs, candles or valuables.
• Smoking is not allowed inside the shelter.

Forming a plan for your pets is the best way to make sure they remain safe during severe weather. See the ASPCA website for information on disaster planning with pets.

Orange County has the following regulations for animals at shelters:

• Service animals for the hearing and visually impaired will be allowed in shelters.
• All other animals are welcome at shelters, and Orange County Animal Services staff will be on hand to board pets in the best manner possible.

Owners of large animals and livestock should make preparations for their animals, as very limited support will be provided in a disaster.

Store a battery-powered radio or a radio that can be powered with a generator. News is available from several area stations:

• La Ley (101.1 FM)
• WCHL (97.9 FM)
• WDCG (105.1 FM)
• WHUP (104.7 FM)
• WPTF (680 AM)
• WRAL (101.5 FM)
• WUNC (91.5 FM)
• WZTK (101.1 FM)

See the document below for how to stay informed by the town:

Website Key Features Handout

Town of Hillsborough

• 919-732-1270

Orange County

• 919-732-8181

Orange County Public Schools

• 919-732-8126

Durham Technical Community College Orange County Campus

• 919-536-7238

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

• 919-843-1234 or 919-962-2211

Several government agencies offer online disaster information:

• Weather conditions and forecasts — information is available on the National Weather Service's regional website.
• Food safety after power outages — the N.C. Cooperative Extension offers information on both refrigerated and frozen foods.
• Disaster response — information on disaster response is available from the American Red Cross in English and Spanish.

Several government agencies offer online cold weather information:

• Weather conditions and forecasts — information is available on the National Weather Service's regional website.
• Extreme cold and power outages — information related to indoor and outdoor personal safety is available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
• Fire safety during cold weather — tips are available from the National Fire Protection Association website.
• Preventing frozen pipes — information is available from the American Red Cross website.
• Food safety after power outages — the N.C. Cooperative Extension offers information on both refrigerated and frozen foods.
• Disaster response — information on disaster response is available from the American Red Cross in English and Spanish.

See the documents below for additional information from the town.

Personal Protection During Freezing Temperatures

Personal Protection During Freezing Temperatures (Spanish)

Tips to Protect Water Pipes from Freezing

Tips to Protect Water Pipes from Freezing (Spanish)

Winter Weather Operations

Winter Weather Preparations

Weather conditions sometimes prevent garbage collection or other residential curbside services. The town uses the following means to communicate weather-related changes to town services:

• Website — notifications can be found on the home page.
• Email — subscribe to news releases through the website.
• Facebook — hillsboroughgov
• Twitter — @HillsboroughGov

For changes to recycling and county-provided solid waste collections, check Orange County’s inclement weather page.