Emergency Preparation

Use this information to quickly address down trees or large limbs:

• If the tree is from your yard or your neighbors yard (not from right-of-way), you should contact your insurance company. The City does not collect fallen trees from private property. Property owners must have these trees removed at their own expense.
  
  
• Call the Public Works Service Center at 919-775-8247 if the tree or large limb fell:
  • from the right-of-way into your yard 
  • into the right-of-way 
  • into the street

The City may cut and remove the portion of a down tree that has fallen into the right-of-way or street. However, the City does not collect down trees left at the curb by property owners. Leaves and limbs are collected at a volume of six cubic yards per household each week. Learn more here.

When reporting a down tree or large limb, be prepared to answer the following questions:

• Is it blocking the entire street or part of the street?
• Is it blocking the sidewalk?
• What is the closest address?

If the tree/limb falls after hours or on the weekend, call the City at 919-775-8268.

In the event of a down power line, follow these rules:

• Stay away from downed or sagging power lines, and do not touch anything that is on or near a power line (i.e., trees or tree limbs, cars, ladders).
  
  
• Keep children and family pets away from areas where lines may have fallen (backyards, fields, schoolyards, etc.).
  
  
• If a power line falls across a car that you're in, stay in the car and call 9-1-1. If you MUST get out of the car due to a fire or other immediate life-threatening situation, do your best to jump clear of the car and land on both feet. Be sure that no part of your body is touching the car when your feet touch the ground.

Report all power line hazards to Duke Energy or your local emergency services department or agency.

• For Duke Energy, call 800-POWERON. You can report outages using this number or by texting OUT to 57801. Visit their Storm Center here.
  
  
• For Central Electric, call 877-766-6769. You can report outages using this number or by texting OUT to 919-774-4900. Visit their outage center here.

Note: City staff are not allowed to touch limbs/trees on power lines. However, staff will help secure the scene until the appropriate agency can arrive.

Flash flooding events have occurred within the City of Sanford. If a public street is under water, contact the Public Works Service Center at 919-775-8247. If the flooding happens on a weekend or after 5:00 p.m. on a week day, call the after-hours emergency line at 919-775-8268.

The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) provides the following flash flood safety information.

• 6 inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing a loss of control and possible stalling. A foot of water will float many vehicles, 2 feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including SUV's and trucks.
  
  
• Do not attempt to drive through a flooded road as you and the vehicle can be swept away quickly. The depth of water is not always obvious, the road may be washed out under the water, and you could be stranded or trapped. 
  
  If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. You and the vehicle can be quickly swept away. 
  
  If your vehicle is trapped in rapidly moving water, stay in the vehicle, if the water is rising inside the vehicle, seek refuge on the roof.
  
  
• Turn around, don't drown! Do not drive around a barricade - barricades are there for your protection - turn around and go the other way.
  
  
• Do not try to take short cuts - they may be blocked. Stick to designated evacuation routes.
  
  
• Be especially cautious driving at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.
  
  
• Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving and use a stick to check firmness of the ground in front of you.
  
  
• Listen to the radio or television for information or updates.
  
  
• Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move.
  
  
• Be aware of stream, drainage channels, canyons and other areas known to flood suddenly. Flash floods can occur in these areas with or without typical warnings such as rain clouds or heavy rain.
  
  
• Build an emergency kit for your vehicle in case you do get stranded or need to evacuate quickly.
  
  
• Do not camp or park your vehicle along streams, rivers or creeks, particularly during threatening conditions.

Contacts

Use these numbers to quickly report issues during emergency situations:

• Always call 9-1-1 in the event of a life-threatening emergencies.

Water/wastewater concerns:

• TriRiver Water Customer Service: 919-775-8215

Down trees on public streets, flooded streets, and other non-life-threatening emergencies:

• Public Works Service Center: 919-775-8247
• After Hours Service Emergency Line: 919-775-8268

Down power lines or broken power poles:

• For Duke Energy, call 800-POWERON. You can report outages using this number or by texting OUT to 57801. Visit their Storm Center here.
  
  
• For Central Electric, call 877-766-6769. You can report outages using this number or by texting OUT to 800-446-7752 and STATUS for updates. Visit their outage center here. 

Note: City staff are not allowed to touch limbs/trees on power lines. However, staff will help secure the scene until the appropriate agency can arrive.

Resources

• Lee County Government
• Lee County NC Emergency Management
• NC Emergency Management
• National Weather Service - Raleigh
• ReadyNC -- Disaster preparation provided by North Carolina
• Ready.Gov -- National disaster information
• TriRiver Water