When the Skies Turn Gray: Building Resilient Communities in Eastern NC

The metaphor comes naturally to Andy Shoenig when describing disaster response in Eastern North Carolina. There are “blue skies and gray skies,” he explains, the calm times when communities function normally, and the crisis moments when everything changes. But for the communities served by the North Carolina Inclusive Disaster Recovery Network (NCDIR), the distinction isn’t always so clear.

Shoenig, program director of the nonprofit MDC, has spent nearly a decade understanding how disasters ripple through the vulnerable coastal plain of Eastern North Carolina. What began as an emergency response to Hurricane Matthew in 2016 has evolved into a sophisticated network of 750 contacts representing over 600 agencies, all working to ensure that when gray skies arrive, communities aren’t left to weather the storm alone.

From Hurricanes to a Network of Support

The origins of NCIDR trace back to when Matthew’s floodwaters exposed the gaps in traditional disaster response. Community-based organizations such as churches, nonprofits, and grassroots groups, which form the backbone of small towns, found themselves responding to immediate needs while being largely excluded from formal recovery planning. These organizations, many of which receive support from organizations like Camber Foundation, understood that disasters don’t create problems so much as they reveal and amplify existing vulnerabilities. “Camber Foundation supports through its philanthropic work a lot of the kinds of organizations that are dealing with disasters,” Shoenig notes, recognizing how crucial this grassroots infrastructure becomes during crises.

“Disasters don’t create issues as much as they exacerbate existing issues,” Shoenig observes. “So we’re in Eastern North Carolina, where broadband penetration is weak and made worse by disasters, and that makes it difficult for communities to access critical resources.”

The geography of Eastern North Carolina makes these challenges particularly acute. The region’s economy relies heavily on industries such as fishing and agriculture, which are especially vulnerable to storm surges and flooding. When hurricanes push water inland, they don’t just damage buildings. They disrupt already fragile economic systems that can take years to recover.

Community Voices

This understanding led to NCIDR’s distinctive approach: rather than focusing solely on individual preparedness, the network emphasizes community-level infrastructure and policy interventions. They recognize that resilience isn’t just about having enough water and batteries stored in your closet. It’s about having systems in place that can support entire communities through extended recovery periods.

“The vision is a stronger community voice and more equitable access to resources through the entire disaster cycle,” Shoenig explains. This vision translates into practical action in multiple ways. The network serves as an information hub, ensuring that life-saving updates about federal, state, and philanthropic resources reach the organizations closest to affected communities. They advocate for policy changes like eviction and foreclosure moratoriums during recovery periods. Most importantly, they work to ensure that community-based organizations receive recognition and funding for the critical services they provide.

“Can we create those bridges between folks in the community who are closest to survivors or may themselves be survivors,” Shoenig asks, “and communicate that back to policy makers about what’s needed?” That question sits at the heart of the work, aligning closely with Camber Foundation’s mission to build stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities by amplifying local voices and strengthening the organizations that serve them.

Trusted Messengers in Times of Crisis

NCDIR’s continued support has been instrumental in sustaining these efforts over the long term, helping organizations that exist in communities before storms arrive and remain long after outside aid workers leave. These groups serve as “trusted messengers” in ways that government agencies often cannot, particularly in communities with language barriers or historical mistrust of institutions.

Shoenig is particularly conscious of how communication challenges compound disasters. For communities with limited English proficiency or poor internet access, traditional emergency alerts may never arrive. These communities often use platforms like WhatsApp, where people can send audio and video messages even if they can’t read or write in English.

Building on lessons learned, these trusted messenger networks are now evolving to meet emerging challenges. The success of hyperlocal communication strategies during recent storms has proven that community-based organizations can adapt quickly to serve diverse populations in crisis. This foundation of trust and proven communication pathways positions these groups to tackle the changing threats to the region.

Preparing for Tomorrow’s Storms

As climate change brings more frequent flooding and severe weather to the region, this community-centered approach becomes increasingly vital. The network is already preparing for new types of challenges, from “sunny day flooding” in developed coastal areas to isolated tornado strikes that may not generate widespread media attention but can devastate small communities.

The work continues because Shoenig and his peers in the NCIDR network understand a fundamental truth about disaster recovery: “We know that the people who are closest to the issue have the best understanding of it.”

Whether skies are blue or gray, that knowledge, and the networks that preserve and amplify it, may be the most important infrastructure of all.