Governor Proclaims Hurricane Preparedness Week | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Press Release:

Urges Residents to Update Emergency Kits and Plans

    Raleigh, N.C. – While many think of Memorial Day weekend as the beginning of summer, Governor Pat McCrory is reminding residents that it is also the kickoff of Hurricane Preparedness Week. The governor is encouraging everyone to update their emergency plans and supply kits. Hurricane season officially begins June 1 and runs through November.

    "No part of the state is immune from a hurricane's impacts," Governor McCrory said. "Don't mistakenly believe that these storms threaten only our coast. Residents who lived through Hurricanes Hugo, Floyd, Frances and Ivan can testify that these storms have the potential to devastate all parts of our state."

    Governor McCrory noted this year marks the 25th anniversary of Hurricane Hugo, the 15th anniversary of Hurricane Floyd and the 10th anniversary of Tropical Storms Frances and Ivan.

    "We remember how powerful and devastating those storms were for our families, businesses and communities," Governor McCrory continued. "Those who take a few moments now to discuss their emergency plans and assemble or update those supply kits will have peace of mind and be better prepared to survive a storm and recover from it."

    Hugo struck Charleston, S.C. Sept. 22, 1989 as a Category 4 hurricane then moved north carving a path of destruction through nearly a third of the state. The $1 billion storm claimed seven lives in North Carolina.

    Floyd made landfall at Cape Fear on Sept. 16, 1999 but the tropical storm-force winds spanned nearly 600 miles making it one of the largest Atlantic storms on record. The Category 2 hurricane brought torrential rains to areas saturated by Hurricane Dennis two weeks prior and caused severe flooding in two thirds of the state's counties. The storm destroyed more than 7,000 homes, claimed 52 lives and caused $5.5 billion in damages.

    Tropical Depression Frances dumped up to 15 inches of rain in the mountains Sept. 7, 2004 causing significant damages in 34 counties. A week later, Tropical Storm Ivan drenched the mountains again with more than a foot of rain, causing landslides and severe flooding in 29 western counties and claiming eight lives.

    Governor McCrory urged families, businesses and local governments to assemble emergency supply kits, then make and rehearse plans for where to go and what to do if a hurricane threatens the state. The kit should contain enough non-perishable food and a gallon of water per person per day to last 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
• Supply of prescription medicines
• Sleeping bag or blankets
• 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
• Residents also are encouraged to review and update their homeowners' or renters' insurance policies now to make sure they include coverage for accidental damage, natural disasters and, if necessary, flood insurance.

    People should stay informed during a storm by keeping a battery-powered radio for weather and evacuation information and should know evacuation routes in their community. They also need to heed the warnings of state and local officials and evacuate quickly when told to do so.

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

    Residents can evacuate their homes with their small, domestic pets to specially designated pet-friendly shelters. Pet shelters will be equipped with pet crates, but people should bring feeding dishes, food and water, immunization papers and other pet supplies.

    "While North Carolina is better prepared today than it was 15 or 25 years ago, we are not immune from any storm's impacts," said N.C. Public Safety Secretary Frank L. Perry. "It's critical that people prepare themselves and their families for emergencies because during those first few days after a massive disaster, you may be on your own until responders can reach you and water, power and other essential services can be restored."

    Secretary Perry said that hurricane veterans may mistakenly focus on the storm category and dismiss the threat for lower-level storms.

    "The most dangerous threat from hurricanes is flooding and storm surge," said Secretary Perry. "As many of our residents have experienced in the past year, the storm doesn't even have to be classified as a tropical system to cause serious damage."

    Contact: Crystal Feldman