What We Do:  Clean Up After An Emergency
After any emergency has past there remains the task of cleaning up the remains.  It is the responsibility of the Emergency Management Office to determine what is needed and who needs to assist in the recovery process.

The recovery depends on the type of emergency and the type of disaster. The Emergency Management Office is in the best position to determine the needs, to assess the damage, and to make requests of local, state and federal resources.

During Hurricane Hugo in 1989, the National Guard, for example, was called to help direct traffic since more than 65% of Charlotte's traffic signals were damaged by the high winds.  Local contractors were given an opportunity to bid on the collection and hauling of the enormous amount of debris left by the storm.

Following Hurricane Katrina, Charlotte set up a temporary housing unit at the vacant Coliseum on Tyvola Road, until more permanent housing could be found for victims of this violent storm.

That same year, Charlotte Firefighters assisted flood victims in western North Carolina. The department's swift water rescue team provided their life saving to an area severely hit by multiple storms.