North Carolina Evacuation Routes and Travel Information During Adverse Weather

Before a Hurricane:

• Determine safe evacuation routes inland
• Learn the location of offical shelters
• Make emergency plans for pets
• Prepare your disaster supply kit
• Buy plywood or other materials to protect your home
• Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspoutes
• Trim trees and shrubbery
• Decide where to move your boat in an emergency
• Review your insurance policy

During a Storm:

When in a Watch area:

• Listen frequently to radio and TV for bulletins of the storm’s progress.
• Fuel and service your vehicles
• Inspect and secure mobile home tie-downs
• Board up windows in case the storm moves quickly and you have to evacuate
• Store lawn furniture and other loose, light-weight objects, such as garbage cans and garden tools
• Have cash on hand in case the power goes out and ATMs don’t work
• Plan to evacuate if you live in a mobile or manufactured home, live on the coastline, or live in a high-rise

When in a Warning area:

• Monitor offical weather bulletins on radio and TV
• Close storm shutters
• Follow instructions issued by local officials
• If evacuating, leave as soon as possible
• Notify neighbors and a family member outside of the warned area of your evacuation plans
• Take pets with you if possible, but remember, most public shelters do not allow pets other than those used by the handicapped

If staying at home:

• Turn refrigerators to maximum cold and keep closed
• Turn off utilities if told to do so by authorities
• Turn off propane tanks
• Unplug small appliances
• Fill bathtubs and large containers with water in case tap water is unavailable.  Use water in bathtubs for cleaning and flushing only.  Do NOT drink it.