Hurricane Guide

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.

Threats from tropical weather systems include storm surge, heavy rain, damaging winds, tornadoes and rip currents.

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 for 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! For current river conditions and forecasts, visit fiman.nc.gov. 

Wind

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 surge, heavy rain and tornadoes.

Tornadoes 

Tropical systems often produce tornadoes. Typically, these tornadoes are short-lived but can pose a significant threat as they offer little warning time. 

Rip Currents 

Winds from tropical systems can cause dangerous waves and deadly rip currents along the coast – even at large distances from the storm. It is important to heed the advice of the local emergency services. 

Some areas may be inaccessible following a disaster, even if evacuation orders are no longer in place.

Follow Directions 

Local and state officials will determine when it’s safe to return home and can advise on the safest routes. A staged reentry process may be used to facilitate a safe and orderly return allowing the recovery process to begin. Watch your local government’s website or social media channels for reentry instructions after an evacuation.

Watch Out

Avoid walking or driving through flood waters, which may hide hazards. Never drive through flood waters or around barricades as streets and bridges may be washed out.

Inspect Carefully 

Once you return, walk around the outside to check for loose power lines (but do not touch), gas leaks and structural damage. If you smell gas or if there is structural damage, do not enter until local officials have declared it safe. If clearing debris, be careful not to block roadways, fire hydrants and utility boxes. Local officials will provide information on how to properly dispose of debris.

Disposing of Storm Debris 

Separate debris into separate piles: limbs/brush, household trash and other materials (construction debris). Place debris at curb for trash pickup or haul waste to a permitted landfill. Limit open burning and never burn trash, lumber, tires, plastics and other man-made materials.

Drinking Water Safely 

Following a storm, drinking water can become contaminated and may cause illness. Listen for public announcements about the safety of the public water supply. If you are on well water and extensive flooding has occurred near your home, do not drink the water and do not turn on the electricity to your pump until flood waters recede. Use bottled water until your well has been disinfected and your water has been tested.

Generosity of the public in the wake of disasters helps affected communities in their recovery. However, the surge of donated items can quickly exceed the needs of the affected communities and overwhelm organizations who sort through the donations. Following a disaster, you may be asked to refrain from donating unsolicited goods while agencies provide immediate services and until survivors’ needs are accurately identified.

Donate Cash 

If you are not affected by the disaster, the most effective way to support disaster survivors’ recovery is to make tax-deductible financial donations to trusted, charitable organizations. This gives them the ability to purchase, or provide vouchers for, what survivors actually need. In addition, when these organizations or survivors purchase goods or services locally, they pump money back into the local economy, helping businesses recover faster.

Donate through Trusted Organizations 

If you donate goods, only donate to reputable organizations to ensure your financial contribution is used responsibly. The North Carolina Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) website provides a list of vetted disaster relief organizations providing services to survivors in North Carolina.

Register before Volunteering 

Check with local organizations for information about where volunteers are needed. Until volunteers are specifically requested, stay away from disaster areas. When unaffiliated volunteers self-deploy, it can create additional burdens on communities where resources for food and shelter are scarce. Potential volunteers are asked to register with nc.gov/volunteer or with a voluntary or charitable organization of their choice.