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Service and Community

Hurricane Helpers: Meet Faculty, Students Who Pitched in

A cracked highway disappears into flood waters.
Photo credit: Brina Montoya.

As Hurricane Florence pummeled Eastern North Carolina — and in the days following — members of the NC State community helped in innumerable ways. Here are three stories about individuals who demonstrated compassion, dedication and the spirit of Think and Do.

Brina Montoya
Assistant professor of civil, construction and environmental engineering
A week after Hurricane Florence finally moved out of North Carolina, a small group of researchers moved into areas that were still reeling from the devastation. Montoya was part of that team of engineers. Their goal was to see how the wind, rain and flooding had affected the earth underlying the storm’s path.

Brandy Osborne
Student in the online Leadership in the Public Sector program
Brandy Osborne, the emergency communications director for Carteret County, worked with a team of first responders, emergency management personnel and essential county employees to provide emergency services during Hurricane Florence. She and her colleagues worked around the clock to answer 911 calls, direct emergency response and aid in initial recovery efforts.

Alexandru Pop
College of Veterinary Medicine student
Pop was eagerly awaiting an externship at an animal hospital near the North Carolina coast when Hurricane Florence struck. It didn’t stop him. Pop’s externship temporarily became a two-week relief mission for the many animals impacted by the storm.

Eastern North Carolina is still recovering from Hurricane Florence. Want to get involved? Check out NC State’s growing list of resources to find out how.