September Is National Preparedness Month in North Carolina

September is National Preparedness Month, and Governor Josh Stein and emergency management officials are urging North Carolinians to prepare by updating their emergency plans and supply kits.

"We can't predict the next weather event, but we can prepare for it," said Governor Josh Stein. "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."

Here's what North Carolinians can do to keep themselves and their families safe in the event of a weather event:

• Turn on the alert function on your cellphone so that you can receive wireless emergency alerts. Many County Emergency Management Agencies also offer local emergency alert services, which are easy to sign up for and help you to be aware of approaching danger such as flash flooding.
• One of the largest contributors to the loss of life and property in the state is flooding. You can protect yourself and your family by understanding your risks. This includes visiting the NC Flood Inundation Mapping and Alert Network (FIMAN), where you can find current and forecast water levels from hundreds of streams and coastal locations across the state. You can also learn about your flood risk at North Carolina's Flood Information Center. By entering the specific address, you can find your property's flood hazard risk, possible structural impacts, potential insurance rates, mitigation opportunities, and the locations of flood warning sites near you.
• North Carolina's Know Your Zone initiative helps residents understand evacuation procedures in coastal areas vulnerable to hurricanes and other hazards. Learn more about your evacuation zone and how to prepare by visiting KnowYourZone.nc.gov.
• Flooding is also one of the most difficult disasters to recover from. Most insurance policies do not fully cover flood damages, making the recovery process much longer and more challenging. One of the best ways to protect your property is by having a flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). NFIP provides flood insurance to property owners, renters, and businesses.

"The State Emergency Response Team works together to plan and train with an all-hazards approach in mind. However, we all play a role in our communities, whether it is volunteering with a local nonprofit or community-based groups, such as a Community Emergency Response Team, or just checking on your neighbors and family, especially our more vulnerable residents such as the elderly or those with additional support needs," said North Carolina Emergency Management Director Will Ray. "Responding to an emergency really takes a whole-of-community approach. It's all of us working together to help one another through difficult times."

There are Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) programs throughout the state that play crucial roles in community resilience, providing support in disaster aftermath and contributing to preparedness and response efforts. These are volunteer teams that provide training and are great opportunities for anyone looking to serve their community.

You can also visit Volunteer NC and the North Carolina Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster to find out how you can help.

National Preparedness Month, sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), encourages all Americans to prepare for various types of emergencies. For resources on family disaster preparedness, visit ReadyNC.gov, which offers information on traffic, power outages, and shelters.

Stay informed and prepared by following @NCEmergency on Twitter and Facebook throughout September for daily preparedness tips.

Click here to hear from Governor Stein about how North Carolinians can prepare for when the next disaster strikes.