Hurricane Season Begins: No River Gauges in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure

State officials say lessons from recent storms underscore need for emergency plans, supplies and insurance coverage.

As the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, Gov. Josh Stein and state emergency management officials urged North Carolinians to prepare now, warning that even a below-average forecast does not eliminate the threat of a devastating storm.

The National Hurricane Center is predicting a below-normal Atlantic hurricane season this year, but state leaders said North Carolina's history has shown that a single storm can cause widespread destruction.

"Hurricane season brings real uncertainty for families across the state," Stein said in a statement. "I encourage all North Carolinians to make a plan now to keep themselves and their families safe in case of a storm."

Stein said state emergency management officials are already preparing by monitoring forecasts, updating response plans and coordinating with local, state and federal partners.

The reminder comes less than two years after Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina, causing catastrophic flooding, damaging critical infrastructure and leaving communities struggling through a lengthy recovery process.

According to state officials, the State Emergency Response Team has spent months preparing for the 2026 season by reviewing lessons learned from previous disasters, updating emergency procedures, conducting training exercises and coordinating with government agencies, private businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Among those efforts was the Statewide Hurricane Exercise conducted May 20-21, which tested emergency response capabilities ahead of hurricane season.

"Preparation is the key to resilience during hurricane season," NC Emergency Management Director Will Ray said. "We encourage all North Carolinians to take time to develop plans and take proactive steps with their loved ones before a storm impacts our state."

Ray said residents should create evacuation plans, protect important documents, review insurance policies and ensure they have adequate home and flood insurance coverage before a storm threatens their area.

State officials recommend families assemble emergency supply kits with enough food, water, medications and other necessities to last at least three to seven days. Residents should also have multiple ways to receive weather alerts, including NOAA Weather Radio, mobile weather apps and local news sources.

Emergency managers are also encouraging North Carolinians to inventory their belongings by photographing and documenting personal property before a disaster occurs, a step that can help expedite insurance claims and recovery assistance.

Along the coast, residents and visitors are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the state's Know Your Zone evacuation system, which local governments use to issue evacuation orders when storm surge threatens coastal communities.

Officials also pointed residents to the state's Flood Inundation Mapping and Alert Network, known as FIMAN, which provides real-time flood gauge information and alerts from more than 700 monitoring sites across North Carolina. Lake Lure's are still being rebuilt, town leaders have said. 

Current FIMAN maps show no Broad River gauges between Bat Cave and the northern point of Rutherfordton, meaning officials in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure do not know how high the water is unless they have "eyes on" flooding in real time. Officials previously told WCAB News that they were washed away during the flooding caused by Hurricane Helene in 2024. It's unclear why it's taken nearly two years to replace them.

State leaders said preparedness extends beyond individual households and urged residents to learn about emergency plans at schools, workplaces, and in their communities. They also encouraged participation in preparedness drills and volunteer opportunities through Community Emergency Response Teams and disaster relief organizations.

For many North Carolinians, particularly those still recovering from recent hurricanes and floods, the message from state officials was simple: don't wait until a storm is approaching to get ready.

"The State Emergency Response Team is prepared and ready to respond should anything occur this hurricane season," Ray said. "We continue to make improvements and train year-round to ensure rapid response and safety for all residents."