Be Ready When It Matters: Cary Highlights Emergency Preparedness

• Cary encourages residents to use National Preparedness Month to review emergency plans, refresh supplies, and know where to find reliable information.
• Residents can sign up for Cary news releases and ReadyWake alerts to stay informed about emergency information and important updates.
• Preparedness is year-round; regularly check emergency supplies, update household plans, and consider the unique needs of everyone in your household.

CARY, NC - Emergencies can happen with little warning, but taking a few simple steps now can help you and your family be prepared when they do. September is National Preparedness Month, and while it's coming to an end, being prepared is something to think about all year long. Cary is encouraging residents to use this time to review emergency plans, refresh supplies, and make sure they know where to turn for reliable information when it matters most.

From severe storms and winter weather to flooding and other unexpected events, preparedness starts at home. Checking emergency supplies, updating contact information, and reviewing plans with family members can help households be ready to respond when an emergency occurs.

How You Can Prepare Now:

• Refresh your home emergency supplies - Check flashlights and batteries, portable chargers, first aid supplies, medications, nonperishable food, and drinking water. Replace expired items and be sure to consider the needs of children, older adults, and pets.
• Make/Review your household emergency plan - Decide how your family will communicate, where you will meet if you are separated, and who you'll contact outside the area if local communication is unavailable.
• Consider everyone's needs - Include medications, medical equipment, infant supplies, pet food, and other necessities specific to your household when gathering supplies.
• Keep your devices ready - Charge your phones and portable power banks before severe weather. Know where your charging cords are and consider keeping backup cords on hand.
• Add Cary 311 to your phone contacts - Dial 311 within Town limits or (919) 469-4000 outside Town limits for non-emergency services and information. Residents can also text Cary 311 at 898311. Reserve 911 for immediate threats to life or property.
• Sign up for ReadyWake Alerts - ReadyWake is Wake County's mass notification system, which Cary uses to share important information about immediate threats to life, health, and property. Whether you live, work, own a business, or have family in Cary, you can choose to receive notifications by phone, text, and email. Visit readywake.com to register and ensure your existing account information is up to date.
• Know where to get reliable information - During emergencies, check carync.gov and Cary's official social media channels for Town updates. Sign up for Cary news releases and other informational emails at carync.gov/email, and find additional emergency preparedness resources at carync.gov/readycary. Residents should also use multiple trusted sources for weather and emergency information.

You don't have to prepare everything at once. National Preparedness Month is a good reminder to check your emergency supplies, review your family's plan, and make sure you know where to get information when you need it. Taking a few steps now can help you and your family be better prepared for an emergency, but being prepared doesn't stop when September does. Find more preparedness tips and resources at carync.gov/readycary.

Primary Contacts

If you have specific questions, visit carync.gov/311, dial 311 anywhere in Cary, (919) 469-4000 outside Town limits, or email [email protected].

Resources