Being prepared before a tropical storm or hurricane impacts eastern North Carolina can help keep you and your family safe. Here's information on forming emergency/evacuation plans from the National Hurricane Center:
Prepare A Disaster Supplies Kit
A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:
- Water - one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
- Food - at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
- Flashlight
- First aid kit
- Extra batteries
- Whistle to signal for help
- Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Manual can opener for food
- Local maps
- Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery
Make Emergency Plans
Develop and document plans for your specific risks.
Beginning in 2020, North Carolina Emergency Management and county emergency management partners will implement Know Your Zone. If it becomes nessecary, local officials will order evacuations using pre-determined zones.
- Protect yourself and family with a Family Emergency Plan - [PDF]
- Be sure to plan for locations away from home
- Business owners and site locations should create Workplace Plans
- Make sure schools and daycares have School Emergency Plans
- Pet owners should have plans to care for their animals. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention offer information on animal health impacts in evacuation shelters.
- Prepare your boat and be aware of marine safety if you are on or near the water.
Health & Environment
Follow guidelines to guard your community's health and protect the environment during and after the storm.
- Review the Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) health considerations before, during, and after a storm.
- Remember to follow the U.S. Food & Drug Administration's (FDA) food and water safety guidelines during disasters.
- Review the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggestions for health and environmental safety in disaster preparedness.
Evacuation
- Know Your Zone - In an emergency, local officials will order evacuations using pre-determined zones to keep your family safe. These zones highlight areas most at risk to impacts from hurricanes, tropical storms and other hazards.
- FOLLOW instructions issued by local officials. Leave immediately if ordered!
- Consider your protection options to decide whether to stay or evacuate your home if you are not ordered to evacuate.
Recover
- Wait until an area is declared safe before returning home.
- Remember that recovering from a disaster is usually a gradual process.
Resources