North Carolina Hurricane Preparedness

10/30/2019 (Permalink)

The two keys to weather safety is to PREPARE for the risks and to ACT on those preparations when alerted by emergency officials.

Before a Hurricane:

• To begin preparing, you should build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.
• Know your surroundings
• Learn the elevation level of your property and whether the land is flood-prone.
• Identify levees and dams in your area and determine whether they pose a hazard to you.
• Learn community hurricane evacuation routes and how to find higher ground.
• Make plans to secure your property
• Cover all of your home's windows
• Install straps or additional clips to securely fasten your roof to the frame structure.
• Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well trimmed so they are more wind resistant.
• Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
• Reinforce your garage
• Plan to bring in all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down.
• Determine how and where to secure your boat.
• Install a generator for emergencies.
• If in a high-rise building, when high winds are present, be prepared to take shelter on a lower floor because wind conditions increase with height, and in a small interior room without windows.
• Consider building a safe room.