Goldsboro, N.C. — Today, Governor Josh Stein joined Director of Emergency Management Will Ray, Attorney General Jeff Jackson, First Sergeant Chris Knox of the North Carolina Highway Patrol, and Colonel Patrick Henderson of the North Carolina Army National Guard for a hurricane season briefing, urging all North Carolinians to have emergency plans in place and to take proactive steps to stay safe.

“As our state braces for hurricane season, I encourage North Carolinians to be aware of emergency management warnings and resources so that they have a plan to stay safe in case of an emergency,” said Governor Stein. He emphasized the importance of preparedness amid federal uncertainties, adding, “Emergency Management continues to prepare amidst uncertainty on the federal level – we must stay the course and do everything in our power to keep North Carolinians safe no matter what happens in Washington, DC.”

North Carolina’s Director of Emergency Management, Will Ray, echoed the call to action. “Hurricane season has begun and there are steps to be taken to protect yourself, your family, and your property if a hurricane or tropical weather does strike,” he said. “Remember to put together an emergency kit, have multiple avenues from which you can receive emergency announcements, and take the steps needed to protect your home.”

State Emergency Response Team Prepares for 2025 Hurricane Season

The State Emergency Response Team (SERT) has kicked off preparations for the 2025 hurricane season by reviewing lessons learned from past storms, updating policies and procedures, and exercising key processes. The goal is to ensure all necessary resources are ready to support local communities and first responders in the event of a storm.

“The focus of the State Emergency Response Team is to support local emergency management and first responders, but it is imperative that all North Carolinians take the time to prepare their household for tropical weather,” said officials. “Preparedness builds resilience.”

Governor Stein Calls for FEMA Reform Ahead of Hurricane Season

Last month, Governor Stein published an op-ed in USA Today highlighting the need for reforms to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). His recommendations include focusing on permanently rebuilding homes and businesses, implementing a common application for disaster survivors, and moving away from reimbursement-based aid programs.

“There is much room for improvement in FEMA, but abolishing FEMA exacerbates the problem as we enter another hurricane season,” Stein wrote, underscoring the urgency of improved federal support for disaster relief.

How to Prepare: Tips for North Carolina Residents

Emergency officials strongly encourage North Carolinians to take immediate steps to prepare for potential tropical storms:

• Emergency Kit: Assemble supplies including non-perishable food and water (1 gallon per person per day for 3 to 7 days), a battery-powered or hand-crank radio or NOAA Weather Radio with extra batteries, and prescription medications.
• Special Needs: Account for babies, elderly, disabled family members, and pets.
• Communication: Have multiple ways to receive weather alerts such as apps, NOAA radios, or local news. Prepare an emergency communication plan with printed contact info and meeting places.
• Important Documents: Keep copies of birth certificates, IDs, medical info, and insurance documents in a safe, accessible place.
• Home Protection: Document personal items for insurance purposes, and know how to safely shut off utilities like water, electricity, and gas (never attempt to turn gas back on yourself; always call a professional).
• Community Involvement: Learn emergency plans for schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods. Participate in drills and volunteer with Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT). Contact NC Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (NC VOAD) to find more ways to help.

For the full emergency management briefing, visit:

Stay informed, stay prepared, and help build a safer North Carolina this hurricane season.