According to the National Weather Service, Hurricane Florence is forecast to be a very powerful, major hurricane on its path to the coast of the southeastern U.S. Wednesday and Thursday. Central North Carolina is at increasing risk for damaging wind, tornadoes, and prolonged, extremely heavy rainfall. Residents are urged to prepare now.

Here are some general tips on preparing for a hurricane and its aftermath. Links to additional resources appear below:

• Keep the radio and television tuned for the latest information, or follow storm forecasts online.
• If you have a home garden, harvest all the vegetables that are ripe or close to being ready. (The crop may be destroyed by wind. Vegetables exposed to floodwaters must be discarded.)
• Build or restock your emergency preparedness kit. Include first aid and emergency supplies.
• Locate flashlights, battery-powered lanterns and radios. Purchase a supply of batteries for each.
• Fill necessary prescriptions.
• Get cash from your bank account.
• Prepare a three-day supply of water; Include one gallon per person per day.
• Check your food supply. Make sure you have some packaged foods that can be prepared without cooking.
• Fill your bathtub with water for cleaning and flushing.
• Look around your house and yard. Is there anything that might become airborne in strong winds (container plants, hanging baskets, tools, lawn furniture, toys, bicycles, bird feeders, playhouses and doghouses, etc.) Bring unsecured items indoors or tie them down.
• Plan how to communicate with family members if you lose power. For example, you can call, text, email or use social media. (Keep your devices charged!)
• Fill your car’s gas tank.
• Review your evacuation plan with your family. You may have to leave quickly so plan ahead.
• Never drive through flooded streets. Water may be deeper than you expect.

September is National Preparedness Month; Now seems like a good time to practice getting ready for a hurricane. Please be safe.

Additional Resources:

NC Disaster Information Center
https://ncdisaster.ces.ncsu.edu/

Ready.gov https://readync.org/EN/index.html

Foods that require no cooking
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/foods-that-require-no-cooking

Meal preparation and food safety after a power failure
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/meal-preparation-and-food-safety-after-a-power-failure

Link  to 50+ fact sheets on the subject. Obtain information specific to your interest and situation.  https://ncdisaster.ces.ncsu.edu/publications/