Now that hurricane season has officially started, it’s always a good idea to be prepared when you live in North Carolina. Here is a checklist that can help before a storm hits.

• Trim the limbs in your yard.
• Clean your gutters.
• If you have a chainsaw, make sure it is in working order.
• Buy a manual can opener.
• Buy a battery-operated radio.
• Take digital pictures and/or video of your home and store them in “the cloud.”
• This is not the season for a well-stocked freezer!

If there is a storm brewing in the tropics, take these steps:

• Stock up on non-perishable food.
• Stock up on bottled water. 3 gallons per person per day for a minimum of 3 days is the standard recommendation.
• Stock up on toilet paper.
• Stock up on things your children need.
• Collect things your pets need, i.e., food, water, leashes, carriers, shot records.
• Refill any medications.
• Buy batteries.
• Do your laundry. May sound silly, but you’ll be grateful for clean clothes if you’re without power for an extended period.
• Keep your gas tank full.
• Make sure your gas grill bottle is full or you have plenty of charcoal, lighter, and matches.

If it looks like a tropical system may hit our area:

• Put away any loose items in your yard, such as chairs, etc.
• Stockpile and/or buy ice.
• Make sure you have cash on hand.
• Collect important papers–insurance, etc.–together in an airtight plastic bag.
• Check to see if your neighbors need assistance with preparation.

 

 

 

 NASA