North Carolina Hazus User Group (NCHUG)

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Contact NCHUG

Eric Coughlin, CFM, GISP
Project Manager
Atkins North America
STARR Risk MAP Team
STARR Hazus Training
1616 E. Millbrook Rd
Suite 310
Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 431 5292
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

What We Do

The NCHUG formed in March, 2009.

The group is comprised of a wide variety of North Carolina Hazus practitioners (ranging from the casual enthusiast to the power user) and representatives of diverse disciplines - such as planning, first response, local government decision making, GIS analysis, emergency management and software development.

You can join too. There are no dues or exams to become or remain a member. We hold quarterly conference calls focused on the latest software developments and news. This is the perfect forum to talk about Hazus with other nearby users. We also typically host a guest speaker who will present their Hazus project or related work to the group. If you are interested in presenting during one of our calls please let Eric know.

To join the group, email Eric. Information at lower-left of this page.

NCHUG Mission Statement:

The NCHUG plans to encourage partnerships between local and state government, the private sector, and centers of higher-education throughout the state of North Carolina.  The NCHUG will foster mutually beneficial alliances and develop goals and objectives with the ultimate aim of promoting the development of “disaster-aware” communities.

NCHUG Objectives:

To champion the use of Hazus in North Carolina

To foster a network of Hazus professionals in North Carolina

To advance opportunities for training in the use of Hazus software and technology in North Carolina

To share the successes and failures among Hazus users and assist natural disaster planning in North Carolina

To be a conduit for communication of hazard mitigation efforts and best management practices in North Carolina

To engage with Hazus users in other areas of the United States

News from Region IV

Beware of Scammers Pretending to be Disaster Workers
Beware of Scammers Pretending to be Disaster Workers

Beware of Scammers Pretending to be Disaster Workers

ATLANTA– Survivors should be aware that con artists and criminals may try to obtain money or steal personal information through fraud, scams or identity theft. In some cases, thieves try to apply for FEMA assistance using names, addresses and Social Security numbers they have stolen from survivors.

Survivors should keep the following information in mind while FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams, housing inspectors and other officials are on the ground.

  • Don’t trust anyone who asks for money. Federal and local disaster workers do not ask for or accept money. FEMA and U.S. Small Business Administration representatives never charge applicants for disaster assistance, inspections or help in filling out applications.
  • Don’t believe anyone who promises a disaster grant in return for a large cash deposit or other payments in full.

 

  • Be wary of unexpected phone calls or visits to your home from people claiming to be FEMA housing inspectors or people claiming they work for FEMA. The person might ask for your Social Security number and income or banking information. FEMA representatives will have a laminated badge and your FEMA application number.

 

  • Protect the privacy of your nine-digit FEMA case/application number. Legitimate FEMA housing inspectors will NOT ask for this information.

 

  • Don’t give your banking information to a person claiming to be a FEMA housing inspector. FEMA inspectors are never authorized to collect your personal financial information.

 

Fraudulent building contractors

  • Use licensed or verified local contractors with reliable references.

 

 

  • Don’t pay more than half the costs of repairs in advance.

 

  • Demand that contractors detail the job you expect them to do and ask them to give you a written estimate.

 

Report the Scam. Reporting helps protect others. Based on the type of scam you may see, contact the appropriate agency.

  • If you believe you or a loved one are the victim of a scam or identity theft, report it immediately to your local police or sheriff’s department, or contact the North Carolina Department of Justice online at ncdoj.gov/file-a-complaint/ or toll-free by calling 1-877-5-NO-SCAM .
  • If you suspect fraudulent activity involving FEMA, you can report it to the FEMA Fraud Branch at: Email:StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov, Fax: (202) 212-4926 or write to: FEMA Fraud and Internal Investigation Division 400 C Street SW Mail Stop 3005 Washington, DC 20472-3005
  • If someone is using your personal information to open new accounts, make a purchase or get a tax refund, report it at IdentityTheft.gov.

 

  • You can file a complaint with the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors if you have been scammed or have a dispute with a business regarding a transaction.

 

  • Reporting to the Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker can help others become aware of scams in your local area.

For more information on North Carolina’s disaster recovery, visit www.ncdps.gov/ and www.fema.gov/disaster/4617. You may also follow FEMA on www.facebook.com/fema and Twitter @FEMARegion4.

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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.

brianasummer.fentonMon, 09/13/2021 - 20:16
North Carolina Survivors Affected by Tropical Storm Fred Can Apply for FEMA Assistance
North Carolina Survivors Affected by Tropical Storm Fred Can Apply for FEMA Assistance

ATLANTA – Residents of Buncombe, Haywood, and Transylvania counties who were affected by the remnants of Tropical Storm Fred from Aug. 16 – 18, 2021, may apply for FEMA disaster assistance.

Call 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585) to apply. The toll-free telephone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. local time, seven days a week. Those who use a relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption, or CapTel should update FEMA with their specific number assigned to that service.

You can also apply by smartphone or tablet using the FEMA App, or at www.disasterassistance.gov. When you apply for assistance, have the following information readily available:

  • A current phone number where you can be contacted.
  • Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying.
  • Your Social Security number.
  • A general list of damage and losses.
  • Banking information if you choose direct deposit.
  • If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name.

If you have homeowners, renter’s or flood insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your damage expenses, you may be eligible for federal assistance.

Take photos to document damage and begin cleanup and repairs to prevent further damage. Remember to keep receipts from all purchases related to the cleanup and repair.

Disaster assistance may include financial help with temporary lodging and home repairs, along with other programs to assist those recovering from the flooding.

For more information about Tropical Storm Fred recovery in North Carolina, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4617. Follow the FEMA Region 4 Twitter account at https://twitter.com/femaregion4.

neily.chapmanFri, 09/10/2021 - 20:09
Panama City, FL Strengthens Critical Infrastructure for Future Disasters
Panama City, FL Strengthens Critical Infrastructure for Future Disasters

PENSACOLA, Fla – FEMA has approved grants of more than $4.7 million for two hazard mitigation projects for the city of Panama City to reduce its risk of critical facility failure during future disasters. Funding from FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) was approved in response to a proposal by the city after Hurricane Michael in 2018.

Millville Wastewater Treatment Plant: $2,653,956 for the purchase and installation of twin permanent generators to support the critical operations of the plant. They will be connected to the main electrical transfer system by a switchgear and an underground duct bank, which provide a protected pathway for electrical transmission and allow the city to provide continued service to the community during future power outages.

Sanitary Sewer Lift Stations: $2,052,265 for Phase One in a proposed project to provide flood protection and improvements to 13 sanitary sewer lift stations within the city, including surveying, engineering, design, plan preparation, permitting and the bidding for Phase Two approval. If approved, the project proposes different mitigation actions depending on the needs and assessment of each of the 13 sites to include relocation, elevation or strengthening against storm surge and wave-action hazards.

The HMGP provides funding to help communities eliminate or reduce disaster-related damage. Following a major disaster, a percentage of a state’s total federal recovery grants is calculated to help develop more resilient communities. Florida has an Enhanced Hazard Mitigation Plan that allows more funding to be available for post-disaster resilience projects. States with the enhanced plan receive HMGP funds based on 20% of their total estimated eligible federal disaster assistance.

Kimberly.KippThu, 09/09/2021 - 19:32

Last updated: March 18, 2024 - 10:32 PM

NCHUG Announcements

The latest Hazus Hot Zone newsletter

So You Want to Use Hazus Flyer

Getting the Most from Hazus Flyer

Hazus Overview Know Your Risk Flyer

Hazus User Groups Flyer

The last NCHUG meeting was Wednesday, March 13th, 2012 at 2 pm.

In addition to general Hazus updates and discusssions, Jason Brown from Dewberry presented his work with Hazus and Mitigation Planning titled Dam Breach Inundation Modeling, Mapping, and Risk Assessment

You can download Jason’s presentation here

Watch our parent site for information about the monthly National HUG Conference Calls that anyone can attend.

NCHUG Resources

NCHUG Members List

Hazus Web Portal Technology

FEMA Gold Standard for Mitigation and Recovery Planning

Hazus User Groups Flier

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