Governor Proclaims May 13-19 Hurricane Preparedness Week Urges Residents to Update Emergency Kits and Plans

To encourage North Carolinians to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season, Governor Roy Cooper today proclaimed May 13-19 as Hurricane Preparedness Week.

Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. North Carolina is one of the leading states for hurricane damage, and communities across the state still recovering from Hurricane Matthew know well how devastating hurricanes can be.

“Hurricane Matthew hit us more than eighteen months ago and we’re working hard along with families, businesses and communities to recover and rebuild,” said Gov. Cooper. “We know from experience that all hurricanes and tropical storms should be taken seriously. Now is the time to get ready to protect your home and family from the next storm.”

Taking steps to prepare for hurricanes and other disasters can help people recover more quickly. Gov. Cooper urged families to use this week to discuss their emergency plans and update their emergency supplies.

An emergency supply kit should contain enough supplies not just to get through the storm, but for the potentially lengthy aftermath. Make sure to have enough non-perishable food and water to last each family member three to seven days. Other essential items include:

Copies of insurance papers and identification sealed in a watertight plastic bag
First-aid kit
Weather radio and batteries
Prescription medicines
Sleeping bag or blankets
Changes of clothes
Hygiene items such as toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and deodorant
Cash
Pet supplies including food, water, leashes, bedding, muzzle and vaccination records

Hurricane Preparedness Week is also the ideal time to review homeowners and renters insurance policies and consider purchasing flood insurance, state emergency management officials recommend.

During storms, people should stay tuned into a trusted local news source and keep a battery-powered radio nearby for weather and evacuation information. They also need to heed the warnings of state and local officials and evacuate quickly when told to do so.

“It’s critical that people prepare themselves and their families now for emergencies,” said Public Safety Secretary Erik A. Hooks.  “Don’t wait until the next storm threatens to make sure you have the supplies and plans in place to weather a potential disaster.”

Hooks reiterated that the most dangerous threat from hurricanes and tropical storms is flooding and storm surge, and that a storm does not even have to be classified as a tropical system to cause serious damage. 

More information on hurricanes and overall emergency preparedness can be found on the ReadyNC mobile app and online at ReadyNC.org.