Local, state and federal officials warn that recovery from Hurricane Florence is going to be a long process.

“Our job is to help the heroes at the state and local level do their jobs,” said Brock Long of the Federal Emergency Management Administration.

“Search and rescue is our focus now.”

He recommended:

• Text, don’t call. During an emergency, phones lines may be overwhelmed. To let your loved ones know you are safe, send a text instead.

• Save power. If the power goes out, turn off or disconnect appliances, equipment, or electronics. Power may return with momentary “surges” or “spikes” that can cause damage.

• Only use a generator or other gasoline-powered machinery outdoors and away from windows.

• Let first responders do their job. Stay off the roads.

• Use VHF Channel 16, or call 911 in emergencies.

FEMA Urban Search and Rescue teams and U.S. Coast Guard resources are positioned in the Carolinas to mobilize quickly to support search and rescue efforts as requested by potentially affected states.

• The American Red Cross helped more than 14,000 people in over 200 community shelters. More than 1,500 disaster workers are on the ground to help.

The Red Cross has mobilized about 80 emergency vehicles and more than 120 trailers of equipment and relief supplies and served 4,500 meals and snacks.

• The National Guard has up to 4,000 soldiers and airmen on-duty and 10 states are mobilizing critical support from their National Guard forces. Up to 40 rotary wing aircraft are available for search and rescue.

• The Salvation Army has more than 60 mobile feeding units throughout the Carolinas, Virginia and Georgia to provide relief to survivors and first responders as conditions allow. Their main staging area is at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, where more than 20 canteens and one field kitchen will go to impacted areas as weather permits.