Hurricane & Tropical Storm Preparedness

Hurricane Preparedness

*This page will be updated as our office receives information.*

Hurricane season is generally between June 1st and November 30th each year and it is essential that you and your family are prepared for the possibility of a hurricane or tropical storm impacting North Carolina. The COVID-19 pandemic will add additional challenges and changes to the 2020 hurricane season.

Information from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) www.Ready.Gov is an excellent resource on how best to prepare you and your family for an oncoming storm. Download the FEMA App to locate and get directions to open shelters across the state, and receive weather alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five different locations anywhere in the United States.

Residents in areas impacted by the severe weather and hurricanes this week should expect disrupted services for an extended period of time.  Be ready for:

  • Power and phone service outages.
  • Roads blocked by flood and/or debris.
  • Water and sewer outages.

Remember:

  • Restock your emergency preparedness kit with food and water.
  • Refill your gas tank and stock your vehicle with emergency supplies and a change of clothes.
  • Bring patio furniture and garbage cans inside; they could become dangerous in high winds.
  • Get prescription refills if needed.
  • Have cash on hand.

Turn on your TV/radio, or check your city/county website every 30 minutes to get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.  If told to evacuate, do so immediately.  Do not drive around barricades, or through high water.  Remember, if you encounter flooded roadways, turn around, don’t drown!

Know how you’ll communicate with family members once the storm passes.  You can call, text, email or use social media.  During disasters, text instead of calling because phone lines are often overloaded.

Information from the State of North Carolina:
The main website for Hurricane information is: https://www.ncdps.gov/. County emergency management agency contact information can be found here: https://www.ncdps.gov/Emergency-Management/EM-Community/Directories/Counties.

Emergency Management is encouraging folks to download the ReadyNC app for additional information: https://readync.org/EN/Index.html

 

Flooding

  • Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters. TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN!
  • Stay off of bridges over fast-moving water.
  • Listen to Emergency Alert System (EAS), NOAA Weather Radio, or local alerting systems for current emergency information and instructions.
  • Depending on where you are, and the impact and the warning time of flooding, go to the safe location that you previously identified.

General Preparedness

Remember:

  • Restock emergency preparedness kits with food and water.
  • Refill gas tanks and stock vehicles with emergency supplies and a change of clothes.
  • Bring patio furniture and garbage cans inside; they could become dangerous in high winds.
  • Get prescription refills if needed.
  • Have cash on hand.


Tips as the Storms Get Closer:

  • Life threatening coastal and inland flooding is possible. Be aware of quickly moving water and flooded roads.
  • Turn on your TV/radio, or check your city/county website every 30 minutes in order to get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
  • If told to evacuate, do so immediately. Do not drive around barricades, or through high water. Remember, turn around, don’t drown!
  • Know how you will communicate with family members once the storm passes. You can call, text, email or use social media. Remember that during disasters, text instead of calling because phone lines are often overloaded.

Important Phone Numbers
Finally, below is contact information for North Carolina Emergency Management and each county emergency management agency in the First Congressional District of North Carolina, contact information for power companies to monitor and report power outages, and other useful resources to keep you and your family well-prepared and informed throughout a storm. Please be sure to print out this information so these phone numbers will be available in case of a power outage. 

In the event of an emergency, always dial 9-1-1 first.

2-1-1 Call Line Open 24/7 for People in Need of Help
The statewide information line can provide callers with nearby shelter, housing and other storm-related details. Dial 2-1-1 or 888-892-1162. The information line is staffed 24/7 to connect North Carolinians to storm resources. 

North Carolina Emergency Management
Phone:             919-825-2500
Website:          https://www.ncdps.gov/ncem
Facebook:       https://www.facebook.com/NCEmergency/
Twitter:           https://twitter.com/NCEmergency

Bertie County
Phone:             252-794-5302
Website:          http://www.co.bertie.nc.us/departments/em/em.html
Facebook:       https://www.facebook.com/BCES2013/

Durham County
Phone:             919-560-0660
Website:          http://www.dconc.gov/government/departments-a-e/emergency-management
Facebook:       https://www.facebook.com/AlertDurham/
Twitter:           https://twitter.com/AlertDurham

Edgecombe County
Phone:             252-641-7816
Website:          http://www.edgecombecountync.gov/departments/emergency_services/index.php
Facebook:       https://www.facebook.com/edgecombecountync/
Twitter:           https://twitter.com/edgecombecounty

Gates County
Phone:             252-357-5569
Website:          https://gatescounty.govoffice2.com/index.asp?SEC=4698F3DA-3AA2-4B68-8DB3-C32A9C8219AF&Type=B_BASIC

Granville County
Phone:             919-603-1310
Website:          http://www.granvillecounty.org/residents/emergency-services/
Facebook:       https://www.facebook.com/gatesem/

Halifax County
Phone:             252-583-2088
Website:          https://www.halifaxnc.com/174/Emergency-Services
Facebook:       https://www.facebook.com/halifaxcounty911/

Hertford County
Phone:             252-358-7861
Website:          http://www.hertfordcountync.gov/departments/public-safety/emergency-management/

Martin County
Phone:             252-789-4530
Website:          https://www.martincountyncgov.com/emergency
Facebook:       https://www.facebook.com/Martin-County-Emergency-Management-248688775201156/timeline/

Northampton County
Phone:             252-574-0214
Website:          http://www.northamptonnc.com/departments/departments_a-m/emergency_services/index.php
Facebook:       https://www.facebook.com/nhncem

Pitt County
Phone:             252-902-3950
Website:          https://www.pittcountync.gov/182/Emergency-Management
Twitter:           https://twitter.com/pittcountync

Vance County
Phone:             252-438-8264
Website:          http://www.vancecounty.org/departments/emergency-operations/
Facebook:       https://www.facebook.com/Vance-County-Emergency-Services-478383092215878/timeline/

Warren County
Phone:             252-257-1191
Website:          http://www.warrencountync.com/153/Emergency-Services
Twitter:           https://twitter.com/Warrencountyeoc

Washington County
Phone:             252-793-4114
Website:          http://www.washingtoncountyem.com/
Facebook:       https://www.facebook.com/Washington-County-Emergency-Management-161680360956271/

Wilson County
Phone:             252-399-2830
Website:          http://www.wilson-co.com/departments/emergency-management
Facebook:       https://www.facebook.com/2016ReadyWilsonCounty/

Duke Energy Progress
If you need to report a power outage or downed power lines, please call Duke Energy Progress at 1-800-419-6356.  Duke Energy Progress has additional information on how to report and prepare for an outage on their website at: https://www.duke-energy.com/outages.

North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency (NCEMPA)
For a list of local phone numbers to report outages in your area please and to get safety information to help you and your family stay safe during weather emergencies, please visit NCEMPA’s Storm Central website page at: http://www.ncpublicpower.com/StormCentral.aspx.

North Carolina Electric Cooperatives
In order to get information on how to prepare for a storm or hurricane and to find the number in your area to report an outage, please visit: https://www.ncelectriccooperatives.com/outages-and-safety/.

Dominion Energy
To report an outage call Dominion Energy at 866-366-4357 or go online to find information on hurricane preparedness and to report an outage or view an outage map at https://www.dominionenergy.com/outage-center.

 

Shelter Information
As Hurricane Sally approaches North Carolina, please take these precaution: 

 

  • Make a plan to stay with family or friends at a safe place inland, or at a hotel, if you need to evacuate. 
  • Staying at a storm shelter is not a good option during the COVID-19 pandemic and should only be considered as a last resort.
  • Staying with family, friends, or at a hotel will reduce the chances of you being exposed to, or transmitting the COVID-19 virus.

Shelters locations are listed at https://www.readync.org/stay-informed/open-shelters and once open will be listed on the ReadyNC app.

Severe Weather Links

State and National Links

Please be safe and follow any evacuation directions that may be issued for your neighborhood or locality during a storm.

Office of Congressman G. K. Butterfield
Wilson, NC office - (252) 237-9816
Durham, NC office - (919) 908-0164
Washington, DC office - (202) 225-3101