NC 211: State lifeline helps with natural disaster response, resources

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — As cleanup from Hurricane Helene continues, a life-saving resource could already be in the palm of your hand. 

For nearly three decades, dialing 211 has helped save countless lives in North Carolina. 

RELATED: How you can help people impacted by Helene

Established in 1999, the NC 211 phone line is a member of North Carolina's State Emergency Response Team as a resource for residents impacted by a natural disaster. When someone calls 211, a trained specialist conducts a search based on the caller's location to identify resources that they may need. 

Residents can also access real-time information and resources related to the disaster over the phone. 

The phone line also helps reunite families after a natural disaster. Anyone from across the country can 211 to report a missing loved one or ask for updates about that person. 

NC 211 call centers handled nearly 13,000 calls during Hurricane Matthew and then over 28,000 during Hurricane Florence. 

RELATED: 'That's how serious it is' | NCDOT continues to discourage travel in western North Carolina after Helene

WCNC Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with news that impacts you from the team at WCNC Charlotte.  
SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Pandora || TuneIn || Google Podcasts || iHeart 

All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.