How to Prepare for a Hurricane in Raleigh

When the winds start howling and the clouds gather ominously, it’s time for us living in Raleigh to gear up and batten down the hatches!

With Hurricane Debby closely approaching, Raleigh is getting ready for a few days of heavy rain. Do you panic, get prepared, or become too blase as you’ve been here before and not much happened, despite the endless weather reports telling you about the monster storm!

Well, those who remember Hurricane Fran, will tell you not to become complacent. We asked our Facebook and Instagram communities to share their tips (from previous experiences) in how to prepare for a hurricane, after a slightly worried new resident with no hurricane experience asked us for our tips!

Whether you’re a lifelong Raleigh resident or a newcomer soaking in our vibrant city life, down below we’ve got you covered with essential tips and tricks to keep your family safe and sound.

From stocking up on must-have supplies to creating a rock-solid emergency plan, let’s get ready together. After all, a well-prepared Raleigh is a strong Raleigh. Let’s dive in and make sure your hurricane-ready! 🌀💪

Hurricane Preparation Tips for Raleigh Residents

Raleigh is the City of Oaks, so residents will be very worried about wind and falling trees. Do your best to keep out of harm’s way and check the health of your trees on your property regularly. Tornadoes can pop up so make sure you are staying connected with weather advisories. We’ve all done the drills at school, but in case you’ve forgotten here are tips from the National Weather Service.

We’re also a rolling hill city, so certain areas of the city are more prone to flooding like Crabtree Creek. If you’re in one of those areas, you’ll need to take extra precautions. (your neighbors will know!)

One of the biggest dramas residents have to deal with during tropical storms and hurricanes are power outages. They can be frequent, and many remember three weeks without power during Hurricane Fran. Get your power outage updates from Duke Energy here.

1. Water and Food Storage:

• Fill your bathtub with water so you can use for flushing toilets, bathing, boiling water etc.
• Stock up on bottled water (at least 1 gallon per person for 2-3 days).
• Store non-perishable foods like canned goods, peanut butter, protein bars, and snacks. Some suggested wine and liquor are essential non-perishables!!
• Make sure you have a manual can opener.
• Avoid perishable items like milk and frozen foods.
• Freeze water bottles to keep your freezer cold longer if the power goes out.
• Freeze water in different shapes using Ziploc bags to assist with keeping things in fridge/freezer cold.
• Freeze a cup of water and rest a coin on top. Keep it in the freezer; if the coin drops, you know you lost power, which could mean food spoilage. (Sometimes if you’re asleep, you may not know the power went out.)

2. Cooking and Power:

• Use propane or charcoal grills for cooking.
• Have a French press and a pot to boil water on the grill.
• Keep portable chargers, solar chargers, and power banks charged.
• Use LED lanterns, flashlights, and battery-operated candles instead of real candles for safety.
• Invest in a generator and ensure it has enough fuel.

3. Household Preparations:

• Bring outdoor furniture and umbrellas indoors or secure them tightly.
• Tie down anything outside that could become airborne.
• Close blinds and stay away from windows during the storm.
• Fill a large pot or buckets with water if you can’t fill the bathtub.

4. Emergency Kit:

• Create a hurricane kit with essentials like batteries, flashlights, a manual can opener, and first aid supplies.
• Keep cash on hand as ATMs may not work without power.
• Fill prescriptions and have multiple days’ worth of medication accessible.
• Charge all electronic devices and backup batteries.

5. Vehicle and Fuel:

• Fill up your gas tank to at least 3/4 full in case of evacuation.
• Consider having a portable power source that can jumpstart your car.

6. Community and Safety:

• Help out your neighbors and stay connected.
• Avoid driving during the storm and stay off the roads to allow emergency responders to work.
• Stay inside and avoid windows to protect yourself from flying debris.
• Have multiple ways to receive emergency info, including watches and warnings. Make sure emergency alerts are enabled on your cell phone and download a weather app. Only the National Weather Service, NC Emergency Management and North Carolina Highway Patrol – can originate EAS messages in North Carolina.
• Visit ncdps.gov/ncem/localEM for links to alert services offered by local governments.
• Have an emergency plan. Know where you would go if you need to evacuate. Make a plan to stay with family, friends or at a hotel. Public shelters should be a last resort.
• Stay connected to ReadyNC.gov for current updates, evacuation orders etc.
• Weather alerts from WRAL.

7. Comfort and Entertainment:

• Download movies, books, and games on your devices for offline use.
• Have paper crafts, coloring books, and other non-electronic activities for children.
• Keep a good puzzle and a fully charged reading light handy.

8. Additional Tips:

• Make sure all your laundry is done before the storm hits.
• Prepare like you would for a camping trip or a music festival.
• Keep a first aid kit and necessary medications accessible.
• Use sandbags to prevent flooding in low areas.
• ReadyNC.gov has a hurricane guide with more information on evacuation, keeping safe, and what to do after the hurricane if you are impacted.

By following these tips, you’ll be well-prepared to weather any hurricane that comes your way in Raleigh. Stay safe and remember, preparation is key! Once the threat has passed and it’s safe to go out, but the rain is lingering, you may like relieving the cabin fever with these rainy day activities in Raleigh.