Hurricane Preparedness Week
Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC
Today marks the first day of the 2018 Hurricane Preparedness Week in
North Carolina. This is the time for everybody to make
weather-readiness a priority. All week long the National Weather
Service will issue informative messages to help you prepare for the
hurricane season. Topics covered this week will include rip
currents, storm surge, winds, inland flooding, and taking action to
make a hurricane preparedness plan for protecting your home and
business.
The first step in hurricane preparedness is determining your risk.
Find out today what types of wind and water hazards could happen
where you live, and then start preparing now for how to handle them.
North Carolina is one of the most hurricane ravaged states in the
country. The entire state, from the mountains to the coast, is
susceptible to hurricane and tropical storm impacts. The coastal
areas of the state can be susceptible to storm surge, high winds,
flooding, and tornadoes. The central portion of the state can be
susceptible to inland freshwater flooding, high winds, and tornadoes;
and the western portion of the state can be susceptible to tornadoes,
flash flooding, and resulting landslides from heavy rains when dying
tropical cyclones move from the northern Gulf of Mexico northeast
along the Appalachians. Even when hurricanes stay out at sea, the
North Carolina coast can still be impacted by large swells and
deadly rip currents, thus making it important to stay aware of the
tropics and weather forecasts all throughout the hurricane season.
The most active months for tropical systems in North Carolina are
August and September. However, hurricanes have wreaked havoc as
early as June and as late as mid-November. The peak tropical activity
usually occurs in a six week period from mid-August to late September.
During active cycles in hurricane activity North Carolina can
experience multiple hurricanes and tropical storms within weeks of
each other.
When it comes to this hurricane season, it’s important to take
appropriate preparedness action and encourage others to do the same.
An informed and motivated public will transform the way North
Carolinians respond to hurricane seasons and, ultimately, save more
lives and livelihoods. Make a pledge to prepare for this hurricane
season, complete an emergency preparedness plan, make or update your
emergency kit, and be an example by sharing your preparedness story
with family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.
For more information about hurricane preparedness, please visit the
following web sites:
* http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare
* http://www.readync.org