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The hurricane season has just begun—in North Carolina, the season runs roughly from June 1 through the end of November. According to researchers at North Carolina State University, 14 to 18 tropical storms are expected to form around the Gulf of Mexico/Caribbean Sea this year. Seven to 11 might grow in strength and become hurricanes, depending on temperatures, wind factors, etc. When hurricanes roll up the east coast, the Outer Banks usually get hit hard, and the Triangle can get torrential rain and thunderstorms. Occasionally, tornados will form and cause serious damage.

As you would expect, people living in eastern North Carolina take heed of their local weather reports this time of year, and it’s a good idea to learn some of the terms related to hurricanes, just in case:
  • A Tropical Storm Warning is usually issued 36 hours in advance of the possibility of tropical storm–force winds (sustained winds of 39 to 73 miles per hour). Powerful tropical storms can develop into hurricanes.
  • A Hurricane Watch is usually issued 48 hours ahead of the possibility of tropical storm–force winds. A hurricane watch lets us know that the conditions are right for a hurricane, but that it’s not necessarily going to happen.
  • A Hurricane Warning is usually issued 36 hours ahead of the formation of tropical storm–force winds. Hurricane warnings are taken more seriously because hurricane-force winds (sustained winds of more than 74 miles per hour) are not only possible, but expected.

When tropical storms and hurricanes make the news, we often hear references to “categories,” which refer to wind speeds:
  • Tropical Depression—sustained winds up to 39 miles per hour (mph). 
  • Tropical Storm—sustained 39 to 73mph winds 
  • Category 1—sustained 74 to 95mph winds 
  • Category 2—sustained 96 to 110mph winds
  • Category 3—sustained 111 to 129mph winds
  • Category 4—sustained 130 to 156mph winds, and
  • Category 5—sustained 157mph (and higher) winds. 

We don’t live close to the coast, but because it’s only a 2-hour drive away we should still take precautions. The effects of tropical storms and hurricanes have ruined countless homes and businesses in the Triangle through the years, and it’s worth preparing for. Putting together an emergency kit now is much better than running around trying to get everything at the last minute.
Your emergency kit can start with a large plastic container/tub; most home-improvement stores carry huge ones.
  • Nonperishable and canned food, enough for 3 to 7 days (ideally including food that can be prepared without electricity). Don’t forget your manual can opener.
  • Lots of batteries and a radio that runs on batteries (look into getting a hand-cranked one, too); Dollar Tree has multi-packs for $1 (including 8-packs of AAs). Consider getting a “weather radio” or be ready to tune in to WPTF 680am or WUNC 91.5fm for nonstop coverage.
  • Several flashlights; in addition to battery-operated flashlights, there are also hand-cranked and shaken-technology.
  • A first-aid kit; put together a little kit made up of various sizes of bandages, pain-relief tablets/gels, medical-gauze tape, etc or purchase a ready-made one from the American Red Cross. 
  • Emergency cash.
  • A generator, which can be used to run your household appliances, with the understanding that you won’t operate it indoors. You’ll have to have a supply of gas on hand to keep it running.
  • A few basic tools, including a wrench or pliers in case you have to shut off your water supply.
  • Sleeping bags, in case you have to camp out in a center room or basement.
  • Make sure that your medications are up to date and that you have an abundant supply.
  • You might have to entertain each other without benefit of the internet or electricity, so have some books, games, and cards on hand.
  • Easily accessible personal-hygiene supplies, soap, and a couple of changes of clothes.
  • Extra cell phone chargers, and house and car keys, in case the storm arrives in the middle of the night; also important paperwork (such as copies of your drivers license, Social Security cards, bank account numbers, and insurance policies). Write down the names of important phone numbers, including those of family members, in case you have to use someone else’s phone; many of us don’t bother to memorize phone numbers anymore.
  • Purchase or set aside 1 gallon of water per person for up to a week. Gallon containers can be stored in an out-of-the-way space until needed.

There’s an mobile app called ReadyNC, which is both iOs and Android–compatible. This free app can be used to track storms, find shelter, check street and highway conditions, and much more. You can find invaluable information on their website by clicking here. (Clique aquí para español.)