Hurricane Preparedness

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 – November 30. While devastating hurricanes can occur anytime during those months, peak hurricane season is mid-August to late October. It is important to remember the forecast cone is NOT an impact cone.

Impacts from tropical systems can and will be felt far from the storm’s center. The center of the storm does not need to make landfall in North Carolina for the state to feel severe impacts.

WATCHES & WARNINGS

Knowing the difference between watches and warnings can help you and your family stay safe as a storm threatens your area. Watches mean that severe conditions haven’t occurred yet, but could in the near future. If a Warning is issued, it means dangerous weather is imminent. Preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force.

WIND DAMAGE

Tropical storm-force winds (39-73 mph) and hurricane-force winds (>74 mph) are strong enough to inflict injury and damage or destroy property. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale classifies storms into five categories based on sustained wind speed. This scale does not account for the threat of storm surges, heavy rain, and tornadoes.

STORM SURGE

Storm surge is produced by water being pushed toward the shore by the force of the wind. This rise in water can cause extreme flooding and is often the greatest threat to life and property in coastal areas. To help you prepare, forecasts are expressed as feet of water above ground.

HEAVY RAIN

Tropical systems often produce widespread heavy rain, which can result in deadly and destructive flash flooding and long-term river flooding. Rainfall amounts are not related to the strength of the storm, but rather to the speed, size and geography of the area. Never drive on flooded roadways. Turn Around, Don’t Drown!

TRACKING MAP

PRINTABLE VERSION

Evacuating amid the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for families with pets, requires planning to ensure health and safety. If possible, identify family members and or friends in a safe location who can provide you and your pets a place to shelter in the event you need to evacuate. Staying with a friend or family member in a safe location is preferable to relying on an emergency shelter during this time because services may be limited, and social distancing will likely be harder to maintain.

Pet-Friendly Hotels in North Carolina

Have a disaster kit ready in your home at all times. Some items that should be included:

• Food and water for at least 5 days for each pet. Also, bring bowls and a manual can opener if you are packing canned pet food.
• Medications for at least 5 days and all medical records, including vaccination history. Keep these stored in a waterproof container. You may also consider storing them digitally on a flash drive or online.
• Make sure your pet is wearing a collar with tags for identification. Microchipping your pet is ideal as collars can be easily removed.
• Pack a pet first aid kit.
• Litter box with extra litter and a scoop.
• Sturdy leashes, harnesses, and carriers to transport pets safely.
• Current photos of you with your pets and descriptions of your animals.
• Comfort items, which may include a pet bed or a special toy, to reduce stress.
• Written information about your pets’ feeding schedules, medical conditions, and behavior issues, along with the name and number of your veterinarian. * This information can also be kept digitally.:

Other useful items:

• Masks
• Hand sanitizer
• Paper towels
• Plastic trash bags
• Grooming items
• Household bleach

Some helpful tips for the safety of your furry family members:

• If it isn’t safe for you, it isn’t safe for your pet. Never assume that you will be allowed to bring your pet to an emergency shelter. Before a disaster hits, call your local office of emergency management to verify that there will be shelters in your area that take people and their pets. Keep in mind that amid the COVID-19 pandemic, emergency sheltering options may be limited. Have a list of hotels and motels that accept pets within a 100-mile radius of your home. Keep in mind that in a catastrophic event, local hotels will fill quickly and may not be available. Make arrangements with friends or relatives in advance to ensure that you and your pets are able to seek shelter in their homes if needed. If housing together is not an option, know the requirements of your kennel or veterinarian’s office for pet boarding. As a last resort, connect with your local animal shelter to determine if they will offer temporary boarding during the time of crisis. They may also be impacted by the disaster and unable to house animals.
• Have a plan in place for when you are out of town or cannot get home to your pet when a disaster strikes. Find a trusted neighbor, friend, or family member and give them a spare key. Ensure that they know your pet’s feeding and medication schedule, and if using a pet-sitting service, find out ahead of time if they will be able to help in the event of an emergency.
• If you stay home, do it safely. If your family and pets must wait out the weather event at home, identify a safe area of your home where you can all stay together. Close off or eliminate unsafe nooks and crannies where frightened cats may try to hide. Move dangerous items such as tools or toxic products that have been stored in the area. Bring your pets indoors as soon as local authorities say trouble is on the way. Keep dogs on leashes and cats in carriers, and make sure they are wearing identification. If you have a room you can designate as a “safe room,” put your emergency supplies in that room in advance, including your pet’s crate and supplies. Have any medications and a supply of pet food and water inside watertight containers, along with your other emergency supplies. If there is an open fireplace, vent, pet door, or similar opening in the house, close it off with plastic sheeting and strong tape. Listen to the radio periodically and do not come out until you know it’s safe.
• If the electricity goes out. If you’re forced to leave your home because you’ve lost electricity, take your pets with you.

WAYNE COUNTY CONTACTS

• 2-1-1 — Don’t know where to start or who to call? Call Wayne County 2-1-1.
• Wayne County Helpline — 919-705-1800
• For life threatening emergencies call Wayne County Communications Center — 9-1-1
• City of Goldsboro — 919-580-4362
• Eureka Town Hall — 919-242-5064
• Fremont Town Hall — 919-242-5151
• Mt. Olive Town Hall — 919-658-9539
• Seven Springs Town Hall — 919-222-9290
• Pikeville Town Hall — 919-242-5126
• Walnut Creek Town Hall — 919-778-9687
• United Way of Wayne County – 919-735-3591

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

• Wayne County — 919-731-1416
• Duplin County — 910-296-2160
• Johnston County — 919-989-5050
• Wilson County — 252-399-2830
• Greene County — 252-747-2544
• Lenoir County — 252-559-1911

UTILITY COMPANIES

• Duke Energy Progress — 800-POWERON (800-769-3766) – Outage Map
• Tri-County Electric — 919-735-2611 — Outage Map
• Spectrum — 1-855-707-7328

STATE AGENCIES

• ReadyNC
• 5-1-1 – Travelers Information
• NC Emergency Management – 919-733-3300
• RebuildNC — 833-ASK-RBNC (833-275-7262)

FEDERAL AGENCIES

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362)
• Flood Insurance – 800-621-FEMA
• National Disaster Distress Helpline – 1-800-985-5990

DISASTER SERVICES

• Red Cross
• Salvation Army

Get Informed

Know what disasters could affect your area, which could call for an evacuation and when to shelter in place. Keep a NOAA Weather Radio tuned to your local emergency station and monitor TV and radio. Follow mobile alerts and warnings about severe weather in your area.

Download the FEMA app and get weather alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five different locations anywhere in the United States.

Make a Plan

How might a disaster affect you? Could you make it on your own for at least three days? After a disaster you may not have access to a medical facility or even a drugstore. It’s crucial to plan for your regular needs and know what you would do if they become limited or unavailable. Additional planning steps should include:

• Create a support network. Keep a contact list in a watertight container in your emergency kit.
• Be ready to explain to first responders that you need to evacuate and choose to go to a shelter with your family, service animal, caregiver, personal assistant and your assistive technology devices and supplies.
• Plan ahead for accessible transportation that you may need for evacuation or getting to a medical clinic. Work with local services, public transportation or paratransit to identify your local or private accessible transportation options.
• Inform your support network where you keep your emergency supplies. You may want to consider giving one member a key to your house or apartment.
• Contact your city or county government’s emergency management agency or office. Many local offices keep lists of people with disabilities so they can be helped quickly in a sudden emergency.
• If you are dependent on dialysis or other life-sustaining treatment know the location and availability of more than one facility.
• If you use medical equipment in your home that requires electricity, talk to your doctor or health care provider about how you can prepare for its use during a power outage.
• Wear medical alert tags or bracelets.
• If you have a communication disability make sure your emergency information says the best way to communicate with you.
• If you use an augmentative communications device or other assistive technologies, plan how you will evacuate with the devices or how you will replace equipment if lost or destroyed. Keep model numbers and note where the equipment came from (Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, etc.).
• Plan how you will communicate with others if your equipment is not working, including laminated cards with phrases, pictures or pictograms.
• Keep Braille/text communication cards, if used, for two-way communication.
• Get preparedness tips for people with diabetes.
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ online tool helps people locate and access their electronic health records from a variety of sources.
• Plan for children with disabilities and people who may have difficulty in unfamiliar or chaotic environments.

Get Your Benefits Electronically

A disaster can disrupt mail service for days or weeks. If you depend on Social Security or other regular benefits, switching to electronic payments is a simple, significant way to protect yourself financially before disaster strikes. It also eliminates the risk of stolen checks. The U.S. Department of the Treasury recommends two safer ways to get federal benefits:

Direct deposit to a checking or savings account. If you get federal benefits you can sign up by calling 800-333-1795 or sign up online.

The Direct Express® prepaid debit card is designed as a safe and easy alternative to paper checks. Call toll-free at 877-212-9991 or sign up online.

Build a Kit

In addition to having your basic survival supplies, an emergency kit should have items to meet your individual needs in various emergencies. Consider the items you use on a daily basis and which ones you may need to add to your kit.

Tips for People Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

• A weather radio (with text display and a flashing alert)
• Extra hearing-aid batteries
• Pen and paper (in case you have to communicate with someone who does not know sign language)
• Tips for People Who are Blind or Have Low Vision
• Mark emergency supplies with Braille labels or large print. Keep a list of your emergency supplies and where you bought them on a portable flash drive or make an audio file that is kept in a safe place where you can access it.
• Keep communication devices for your particular needs, such as a Braille or deaf-blind communications device as part of your emergency supply kit.

Tips for People with Speech Disability

If you use an augmentative communications device or other assistive technologies, plan how you will evacuate with the devices or how you will replace equipment if it is lost or destroyed. Keep model information and note where the equipment came from (Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, etc.).

Plan how you will communicate with others if your equipment is not working, including laminated cards with phrases and/or pictograms.

Tips for People with a Mobility Disability

• If you use a power wheelchair, have a lightweight manual chair available as a backup if possible. Know the size and weight of your wheelchair, in addition to whether or not it is collapsible, in case it has to be transported.
• Show others how to operate your wheelchair.
• Purchase an extra battery for a power wheelchair or other battery-operated medical or assistive technology devices. If you can’t purchase an extra battery, find out what agencies, organizations, or local charitable groups can help you buy one. Keep extra batteries on a trickle charger at all times.
• Consider keeping a patch kit or can of sealant for flat tires and/or extra inner tube if wheelchair or scooter is not puncture proof.
• Keep an extra mobility device, such as a cane or walker, if you use one.
• Keep a portable air pump for wheelchair tires.
• If you use a seat cushion to protect your skin or maintain your balance, and you must evacuate, have an extra cushion to take with you.

Tips for Individuals with Sensory Disabilities (including autism spectrum disorder)

• For people with sensory disabilities, this may include:
• Handheld electronic devices (loaded with movies and games)
• Spare chargers
• Sheets and twine or a small pop-up tent (to decrease visual stimulation in a busy room or to provide instant privacy)
• Headphones (to decrease auditory distractions)
• Comfort snacks

Additional Items

• At least a week-long supply of prescription medicines
• A list of all medications, dosage, and any allergies
• Extra eyeglasses
• Extra hearing aid batteries
• Extra wheelchair batteries (or a manual wheelchair if possible)
• Oxygen
• A list of the style and serial number of medical devices (including special instructions for operating your equipment if needed)
• Copies of medical insurance and Medicare cards
• Contact information for doctors, relatives, or friends who should be notified if you are hurt
• Pet food, extra water, collar with ID tag, medical records, and other supplies for your service animal