Join us in this episode as we interview Wallayce Todd of Community CPR to explore the vital role of community connections in the rural areas of Columbus County after storms. Learn how her organizing, Community CPR, and neighborly bonds transform lives, foster resilience, and strengthen the social fabric of our region's rural communities.

Ten Things to Do to Prepare for a Storm and Flooding:

1. Create an Emergency Plan: Develop a family emergency plan, including communication methods, evacuation routes, and meeting points.
2. Assemble an Emergency Kit: Pack essentials like water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, a first aid kit, and important documents.
3. Stay Informed: Monitor weather forecasts and sign up for local emergency alerts to stay updated on the storm's progress.
4. Protect Your Home: Install storm shutters or board up windows, clear gutters and drains, and secure outdoor furniture and items that could become projectiles.
5. Prepare for Power Outages: Have backup power sources like generators and stock up on extra batteries and power banks for electronic devices.
6. Elevate Important Items: Move valuable items, electronics, and documents to higher ground or upper floors to protect them from potential flooding.
7. Check Insurance Coverage: Review your home and flood insurance policies to ensure adequate coverage for storm and flood damage.
8. Plan for Pets: Ensure you have supplies and a plan for your pets, including food, water, and carriers for evacuation.
9. Know How to Turn Off Utilities: Learn how to safely turn off gas, electricity, and water in case of emergency.
10. Stay Connected with Neighbors: Build a network with your neighbors to share resources, information, and support before, during, and after the storm.

Never drive into flood water, as it can be deceptively deep and dangerous, risking your safety and the safety of others.

Hosted & Produced by Akshay Gokul

When it rains in coastal North Carolina stormwater pours off our plethora of parking lots into the neighborhoods, parks and eventually the Cape Fear River, and with the stream of water pollutants with it. Our increasing number of surfaces don’t allow the water to soak into the ground. Local groups are advancing public education which acknowledge the big public policy issues at play, but also offer solutions we can all take.

The episode features staff from Heal Our Waterways and the Cape Fear River Watch.

Here are ten things you can do about stormwater in Wilmington, North Carolina, New Hanover County, along with helpful links:

1. Install Rain Barrels: Collect rainwater from your roof to use in your garden.
   • New Hanover County Rain Barrel Program
2. Create a Rain Garden: Plant a garden designed to absorb rainwater runoff.
   • NC State Extension on Rain Gardens
3. Use Permeable Pavements: Replace impermeable surfaces with materials that allow water to seep through.
   • EPA on Permeable Pavement
4. Plant Native Vegetation: Native plants require less water and help reduce runoff.
   • NC Native Plant Society
5. Reduce Lawn Fertilizer Use: Excess fertilizer can wash into storm drains and pollute waterways.
   • NC State Extension on Fertilizer Management
6. Properly Dispose of Hazardous Waste: Prevent chemicals from entering storm drains.
   • New Hanover County Household Hazardous Waste Program
7. Clean Up Pet Waste: Pet waste left on the ground can wash into storm drains.
   • EPA on Pet Waste Management
8. Install Green Roofs: A green roof can absorb rainwater and reduce runoff.
   • NC State Extension on Green Roofs
9. Participate in Community Clean-Ups: Join efforts to clean local waterways and reduce pollution.
   • Cape Fear River Watch
10. Educate Your Community: Raise awareness about stormwater management practices.
    • NC Coastal Federation

Implementing these actions can help manage stormwater and protect the environment in Wilmington and New Hanover County.

Hosted & Produced by Akshay Gokul

In this episode of Community Rising, we spotlight the vital work of Seeds of Healing, Inc. Join us as we speak with Bonetta Spratley, Christopher Marville, and Dr. LeShonda Wallace to learn how they are advancing HIV testing and awareness in coastal North Carolina. Discover the innovative approaches they use to combat stigma, provide support, and empower individuals living with HIV. Listen in to hear inspiring stories and learn how you can contribute to this essential cause.

Learn more about the resources provided by visiting Seeds of Healing website.

“We were just sitting on the porch like normal on a beautiful Saturday. And then we heard this tractor, and then all of a sudden this animal waste was coming everywhere and it was stinking like nothing we had ever experienced,” says Elsie Herring of Wallace, North Carolina.

Herring is one of many eastern North Carolinians who have had negative health impacts and financial burdens as a result of nearby concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO’s) over the last several decades. In this episode of CAFO’s & Communities, we explore how the hog industry’s hazardous waste redistribution has harmed neighboring communities and what they’re doing about it.

Produced by Dedan Waciuri, Kayla Guilliams, and Laura Bratton in collaboration with Sherri White-Williamson, Elsie Herring, Jeff Currie, Larry Baldwin, and Naeema Muhammad. Special thanks to Larry Baldwin of Coastal Carolina Riverwatch.

To learn more and get involved, visit North Carolina Environmental Justice Network, North Carolina Conservation Network, and Coastal Carolina Riverwatch‘s websites.

Music: Pure Water by Medyn, Thoughts by ANBR, Aquarius by Spearfisher. Sounds by Badlands Sound via Artist and YouTube Audio Library. Photos by Laura Bratton. Bottom right photo by Jeremy Lange, taken from ProPublica.

References:

Environmental Working Group, “EXPOSING FIELDS OF FILTH: Locations of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations in North Caroling by County,” EWG and Waterkeeper Alliance,
https://www.ewg.org/interactive-maps/2016_north_carolina_animal_feeding_operations_bycounty.php.

Kravchenko, J., “The Coming Storm 2019: Hog CAFOs, Human Health & Hurricanes in N.C,” Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment (2019), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHf22c_uwzc.

Kravchenko et al., “Mortality and Health Outcomes in North Carolina Communities Located in Close Proximity to Hog Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations,” North Carolina MedicalJournal, 79 (5):278-288 (2018).

Marks, R., “CESSPOOLS OF SHAME: How Factory Farm Lagoons and Sprayfields ThreatenEnvironmental and Public Health,” Natural Resources Defense Council and the Clean WaterNetwork (2001).

Schiffman et al., “Potential Health Effects of Odor From Animal Operations, WastewaterTreatment, and Recycling of Byproducts,” Journal of Agromedicine, 7(1): 7-81 (2000); PolicyStatement Adopted by the House of Delegates, North Carolina Council of Churches (2000).

Sobsey, M., McBride Health Conference, UNC Chapel Hill (1990), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoTcCooC7AE.

Thu, et al., “A Control Study of the Physical and Mental Health of Residents Living Near aLarge-Scale Swine Operation,” Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health 3(1): 13-26 (1997).

Wing, S., “Community Health Impacts of Factory Farms,” TEDxTalks Manhattan (2013),https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZW8-LQftnY.

Coming soon on Community Rising.

Climate change is reshaping coastal North Carolina in a myriad of ways, and one of the most striking is the emergence of ghost forests.

As our climate warms, sea levels rise, and saltwater intrusion advances inland, the delicate balance of coastal ecosystems is disrupted.

The result is the eerie transformation of lush, vibrant forests into skeletal remnants of their former selves, populated by dead and dying trees.

Ghost forests serve as a stark testament to the urgency of addressing climate change, highlighting the pressing need for global action to mitigate its devastating effects and protect the fragile ecosystems that are falling victim to its relentless advance.

Want to vote early in coastal North Carolina? Here's how.

¿Quieres votar temprano en la costa de Carolina del Norte? Escucha este anuncio.

Look to the coast of North Carolina and you may find something a bit unexpected - artificial reefs. These manmade reefs mimic the characteristics of real reefs in order to provide a home to ocean life. In this episode, Jordan Byrum, an artificial reef coordinator with the NC Division of Marine Fisheries, discusses the history, creation and importance of artificial reefs in North Carolina.

Honey bees not only produce one of the most popular sweeteners used within food and drink products - they also play a huge role in our agricultural system. Onslow County Master Beekeepers David and Lynn Sanbeg, along with Eric Talley of the Onslow County Beekeepers Association, have made it their goal to provide high-quality honey for their communities. These dedicated beekeepers encourage residents of Coastal North Carolina to learn the importance of honey bees, and how they are a crucial component of one-third of the produce that comes from our agriculture systems.


Music used:
Mind Stream by Chris Haugen, May 2020, 2:24, from the YouTube Audio Library
Oceanside Bonfire by The Great North Sound Society, May 2020, 2:53, from the YouTube Audio Library
Now I Know by TrackTribe, Oct. 2019, 3:17, from the YouTube Audio Library
Back To Portland by TrackTribe, Oct. 20219, 2:05, from the YouTube Audio Library
Rainy Sundays by The 126ers, Aug. 2019, 3:24, from the YouTube Audio Library
Peace Creek by Ashley Shadow, June 2019, 2:45, from the YouTube Audio Library
Swoop by The Mini Vandals, Mar. 2019, 1:43, from the YouTube Audio Library
High Wire by The 126ers, Dec. 2018, 3:18, from the YouTube Audio Library

Sounds used:
“Park ambience - mostly birds” by Mafon2 of Freesound.org, May 15th, 2015, 1:02, https://freesound.org/people/Mafon2/sounds/274175/
“Bees.wav” by Benboncan of Freesound.org, May 31st, 2009, 4:36, https://freesound.org/people/Benboncan/sounds/73370/
“Bees.wav” by peachmaster of Freesound.org, Sep. 27th, 2013, 0:17, https://freesound.org/people/peachmaster/sounds/201613/
“Wind in trees.WAV” by nickydunne of Freesound.org, Mar. 14th, 2019, 1:30, https://freesound.org/people/nickydunne/sounds/463551/
“Skylarks at ROC.wav” by genghis attenborough of Freesound.org, Feb. 29th, 2008, 2:58, https://freesound.org/people/genghis%20attenborough/sounds/49006/

Image used:
Creative Commons, "200907011 Honey Bee 021" by cygnus921 is licensed under CC BY 2.0