After HUGO, we had trees down, no water, electricity or hot food and coffee for a week. Had to drive miles every day for a shower, meals, and cup of coffee, as well as buckets of water to flush the commodes. The HS where I was teaching at the time ....5 miles away... did have power and opened the day after Hugo hit, so you can see the problems. I never want to go through that again.
Where in NC are you?
I was in Beaufort when Hugo came through. That was a scary night! It was my first hurricane.
The drive to Charleston after the storm looked like a big giant had gone through the forest with a mega chainsaw and cut the tops off all the trees. It was unbelievable!