September is National Preparedness Month in North Carolina

North Carolina officials are urging residents to update emergency plans, check disaster supply kits and understand local flood risks as the state recognizes September as National Preparedness Month.

The message carries particular weight in western North Carolina, where communities continue recovering from Hurricane Helene nearly two years after the storm caused catastrophic flooding, landslides, road failures and widespread damage across the mountains and foothills.

“We can’t predict the next weather event, but we can prepare for it,” Gov. Josh Stein said. “Personal preparedness makes response and recovery possible, so don’t wait for the next event to get ready. Start working on building your kit and making a family emergency plan today.”

State emergency officials recommend households maintain enough emergency supplies for at least three to five days. Kits should include drinking water, nonperishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries and other necessities specific to a household, including supplies for children, older adults and pets.

Residents are also encouraged to keep copies of important identification, financial records, insurance documents and emergency contact information in a place that can be quickly accessed during an evacuation.

Officials say families should discuss where they would go during an emergency, how they would communicate if separated and how they would evacuate if roads become impassable.

North Carolina Emergency Management is also encouraging residents to enable wireless emergency alerts on their cellphones and sign up for alert systems offered by county emergency management agencies.

Flooding remains one of the state's most significant natural hazards. Residents can use North Carolina's Flood Inundation Mapping and Alert Network, or FIMAN, to monitor current and forecast water levels at hundreds of streams and coastal locations.

The state's Flood Information Center also allows property owners to enter an address and review flood hazards, potential structural impacts, insurance information, mitigation options and nearby flood warning locations.

That information can be especially important in the mountains, where Helene demonstrated how quickly normally small rivers and creeks can become dangerous during extreme rainfall.

Stein said preparedness should also include knowing how to shut off electricity, gas and water when necessary and documenting valuable possessions before disaster strikes.

“Make a list of your important personal belongings and take photos of them,” Stein wrote in his September preparedness message. “Having a record of your possessions can be invaluable if your property is damaged or destroyed and you need to file an insurance claim.”

State officials are also reminding property owners that standard homeowners insurance generally does not cover flood damage. Flood coverage is available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Flood Insurance Program and some private insurers.

North Carolina Emergency Management Director Will Ray said government preparation is only one part of disaster readiness.

“The State Emergency Response Team works together to plan and train with an all-hazards approach in mind,” Ray said. “However, we all play a role in our communities.”

Ray encouraged residents to check on elderly neighbors and people who may need additional assistance during an emergency and to consider volunteering with organizations such as Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT).

“Responding to an emergency really takes a whole-of-community approach,” Ray said. “It’s all of us working together to help one another through difficult times.”

National Preparedness Month is sponsored nationally by FEMA. North Carolina residents can find emergency planning information, shelter locations, traffic conditions, power outage information and other resources through ReadyNC.

State officials say the goal is simple: prepare before the next storm, flood, wildfire, tornado or other emergency appears in the forecast.

For western North Carolina residents who experienced Helene, the warning is no longer theoretical. Officials say having supplies, receiving alerts and knowing where to go before conditions deteriorate can make a major difference when the next disaster strikes.