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Hurricane Florence: Resources, Initiatives

The impact of Hurricane Florence has touched every corner of North Carolina – every county – leaving in its path devastation and destruction of historic proportions. Citizens are asking, “Where can I turn for help?” Legal professionals are asking, “Where can I go to help?”

In many instances the answers to those questions will be the same: the North Carolina Bar Association and the North Carolina Bar Foundation. The following resources and initiatives have been developed and designed to harness the collective strength of the NCBA and NCBF in service to the public and the profession:

Hurricane Florence Website
The NCBA developed a special website devoted to disaster preparedness and, now, recovery resources. These pages were created by the NCBA and the NCBF in advance of Hurricane Florence and will include additional resources as they become available throughout the duration of the recovery period. Content is provided separately for the public, for volunteer attorneys and for attorneys affected by Hurricane Florence at www.ncbar.org/florence/.

Disaster Legal Services Hotline
The Disaster Legal Services Hotline is a pro bono legal project of the NCBA, Legal Aid of North Carolina, the American Bar Association, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency meant to provide disaster legal services for N.C. counties approved by FEMA to receive federal assistance in wake of Hurricane Florence. The NCBA Young Lawyers Division coordinates the North Carolina Disaster Legal Services effort. To volunteer, click here. To help support disaster legal services, please consider a donation to the North Carolina Bar Foundation’s North Carolina Disaster Legal Services Fund. Victims of Hurricane Florence who have disaster-related legal questions or concerns may call 1-833-242-3549 weekdays between 9 a.m. and noon.

NC Free Legal Answers
NC Free Legal Answers is a statewide project of the North Carolina Bar Foundation in partnership with the American Bar Association. NC Free Legal Answers is an online website that allows individuals to post civil legal questions for a volunteer lawyer to answer for free. North Carolinians impacted by Hurricane Florence who have brief legal questions can go to nc.freelegalanswers.org and post a question to the “Hurricane Florence” category for a lawyer to answer for free. Attorneys who wish to volunteer to provide pro bono advice to clients of NC Free Legal Answers should click here.

Related Events
Wills For Heroes: Volunteers Needed! | Firefighters, emergency workers, EMS personnel and other first responders have braved treacherous conditions to help rescue and evacuate North Carolina victims of Hurricane Florence. Join us in demonstrating our appreciation for first responders in North Carolina by volunteering at an upcoming Wills for Heroes clinic. Attorney and notary volunteers are needed to prepare essential legal documents — including wills, living wills, and powers of attorney — free of charge for first responders. Training will be provided. Clinics will be held at UNC School of Law on Saturday, Oct. 6, and at Elon University School of Law on Saturday, Oct. 27. There are two volunteer shifts: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Sign up to volunteer with Wills For Heroes today!

RSVP for Winston-Salem Member Social, Support Hurricane Victims | Today is your last chance to RSVP for our Member Social this Thursday, Sept. 20, from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. at Fiddlin’ Fish Brewing Co. in Winston–Salem. All NCBA members working or residing in the Forsyth County area are invited. The first round of drinks and apps are on us. The Paralegal Division is also collecting gently used professional clothing for victims of Hurricane Florence. Please consider donating an item Thursday. Click here for a list of what’s needed. Please RSVP for the Member Social by 10 p.m. tonight.