PUBLIC NOTICE
BOLIVIA, N.C. – The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, but having a plan is beneficial year-round. By creating a family plan and assembling an emergency supply kit before a storm forms, you and your family will be prepared for when disaster strikes.
Below are some things you can do immediately to get prepared:
Make a Plan
Make a plan and ensure everyone in your family knows what to do in case of an emergency.
Step 1: Start your emergency plan by discussing the questions below with your family, friends, or household.
Step 2: Consider specific needs in your household.
- Be aware of any unique needs for children, elderly, or disabled members of your household, as well as pets.
- Identify responsibilities for each member of your household and plan to work together as a team.
Step 3: Create a Family Emergency Plan
- Create a plan for communication and a list of contacts, including an out-of-area emergency contact person. Have printed copies of all contact information and important medical information for each person.
Step 4: Practice your plan with your family/household.
Build a Kit
Build an emergency kit and remember to rotate out items as they get close to the expiration date. Your emergency supply kit should have everything you need to sustain you, your family, and your pets for 3-7 days. Use a checklist to create your own kit.
- Non-perishable food and one gallon of water per person per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
- Prescriptions and over the counter medication (7-day supply)
- Extra cell phone battery and charger
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio that can receive NOAA Weather Radio tone alerts and extra batteries
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Whistle to signal for help
- Sanitation and personal hygiene items, as well as garbage bags
- Dust mask—to help filter contaminated air—and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
- Non-sparking wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Multi-purpose tool with manual can opener
- Updated local maps
- Extra clothing and sturdy closed-toe shoes
- Blankets and/or sleeping bags
- Extra cash. Banks may be closed, and cash tellers may not work.
- Copies of important documents (driver’s licenses, passports, military IDs, birth and adoption certificates, deed/lease to home, insurance policies, medical records, and financial information). These can be stored on a flash drive and on the cloud.
- Physical and digital copies of recent photos of you, your family, and your pets (updated every 6 months).
- Family and emergency contact information
- Depending on your household, add specialty items like children’s toys, books, diapers, and formula. If you have pets, include pet food, bowls, and supplies.
For more hurricane preparedness tips, visit BrunswickCountyNC.gov/Hurricanes.
-30-