PUBLIC NOTICE
BOLIVIA, N.C. – As the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season enters its historical peak, atmospheric and oceanic conditions continue to favor an above-normal season according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Brunswick County urges all community members to stay vigilant in their preparedness efforts for any hazards and impacts the hurricane season may bring.
The official hurricane season for the Atlantic basin is from June 1 to November 30, with most activity occurring between mid-August and mid-October.
So far, the season has produced five named tropical storms and one hurricane. Community members are reminded to look beyond hurricane category levels and consider other factors like storm surge, rainfall, and risks for flooding and tornadoes when planning for how to respond to a storm.
Ways to Prepare for Hurricanes
- Make a plan. Create and practice a Family Emergency Communication Plan that includes all members of your household and pets. Discuss who your emergency contacts are, your evacuation route, shelter plan, forms of identification for your pets and animals, how you will receive emergency alerts, where you will store important documents, and what you will put in your emergency supply kit.
- Build a kit. An emergency kit is vital for your survival in situations where help might not be easily accessible due to power outages and road damage. When preparing an emergency kit, it is recommended to prepare three to seven days-worth of medicine, water, and non-perishable food for each person and pet in your home.
- The North Carolina Cooperative Extension – Brunswick County Center has prepared a hurricane cookbook and a Hurricane Meal Kits program to help individuals and families prepare nutritious meals ahead of an emergency.
- Stay informed. It’s important to plan for multiple ways you will receive information in the event of a tropical event. Get the latest updates from the National Weather Service in Wilmington (NWS) on their website, social media, or through a NOAA weather radio. Tune in to local news and radio stations, or check your favorite weather app. To get updates from Brunswick County, sign up for the ReadyBrunswick Emergency Notification System, download the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office Mobile App, subscribe to the County’s Emergency Updates email list, and follow Brunswick County and the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office on social media.
- Monitor road conditions. Heavy rain and wind from tropical storms can flood and damage bridges and roads in a short amount of time. Never drive, walk, or swim through flooded roadways or around barricades on roads. Before heading out, check for active road incidents on DriveNC.gov, the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office Mobile App and social media, and on local municipal pages. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) encourages all people in coastal North Carolina to stay off roads when heavy rain and wind from tropical activity is expected to make travel treacherous.
- Know your evacuation zone. Visit the North Carolina Department of Public Safety’s Know Your Zone webpage to view areas most at risk of storm surges and flooding in Brunswick County. Local officials use the zones to determine which areas should be evacuated in case of an emergency. Decide where you would go and what routes you would take if you had to evacuate. Learn more about household evacuation planning for hurricanes and other tropical events on Brunswick County’s Hurricane Evacuations webpage.
- Know the terms. A Hurricane Watch indicates hurricane conditions are possible. A Hurricane Warning indicates hurricane conditions are expected. Review other related terms used by the National Hurricane Center.
- Check your insurance. Before an emergency strikes, review your insurance policies to ensure your property is covered for any flooding or natural disasters that could occur. Flood insurance, which is not normally part of homeowner’s insurance policies, is encouraged for North Carolina residents.
For more hurricane preparedness tips from Brunswick County, visit BrunswickCountyNC.gov/hurricanes.
Find information on emergency planning and hurricane safety online at ReadyNC.gov or Ready.gov.
View updates from the National Hurricane Center, a real-time emergency weather map, and additional online resources at nhc.noaa.gov.
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