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May 7th – May 13th 2017 is North Carolina Hurricane Preparedness Week

Written by on . Posted in County News.

May 7th – May 13th 2017 is North Carolina Hurricane Preparedness Week

Alamance County Emergency Management urges employees and residents to use Hurricane Preparedness Week, May 7-13, to update their emergency plans and kits before storms strike.

June is the official beginning of summer and the beginning of hurricane season. The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, but most hurricanes strike the East and Gulf Coasts between mid-August and mid-October.

Tropical storms and hurricanes bring damaging winds, heavy rains, flooding and even tornadoes. In coastal areas, hurricanes can cause rip currents and storm surge. In the foothills and mountains, these tropical storms can spur dangerous landslides and mudslides.

Since hurricanes have impacted every part of North Carolina, it’s important for everyone to have a plan in place before a storm threatens Alamance County. Alamance County Emergency Management urges residents to make a plan and put together an emergency supply kit to provide the tools needed to survive the storm and recover from it.

Families should have their emergency kit ready to go at all times with enough non-perishable food and bottled water (1 gallon per person per day) to last three to seven days. Kits also should include:

  • Copies of insurance papers and identification sealed in a watertight plastic bag
  • First-aid kit
  • Weather radio and batteries
  • Supply of prescription medicines
  • Bedding
  • Changes of clothes
  • Hygiene items such as toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and deodorant
  • Cash or checkbook
  • Pet supplies including food, water, leashes, bedding, muzzle and vaccination records
  • A plan for those under your care who are unable to help themselves

Stay informed during severe weather using a battery-powered radio for weather and evacuation information. Know evacuation routes in your community; heed the warnings of state and local officials, and evacuate quickly when told to do so.

Be sure to review and update your homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policies to make sure they include coverage for accidental damage, natural disasters and, if necessary, flood insurance.

More information on hurricanes and overall emergency preparedness can be found at www.fema.gov or www.ReadyNC.org.  Alamance County emergency officials also urge residents to get the free ReadyNC mobile app, which provides real-time weather and traffic conditions for all parts of North Carolina.

Also, if you haven’t done so please sign up in NIXLE to receive FREE up-to-date emergency notifications concerning your neighborhood during emergency situations by texting ALAMANCE to 888777.

Contact Debbie Hatfield, Emergency Management Coordinator, at (336) 227-1365 or via email at debbie.hatfield@alamance-nc.com at the Alamance County Emergency Management Department for more information.