Planning Ahead for Hurricane Season in North Carolina
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Collapse ▲It’s officially summer in North Carolina—time for beach trips, backyard cookouts, and fresh local produce like tomatoes, melons, and sweet corn. Summer also marks the start of hurricane season. The season runs from June 1 to November 30, with the most active period typically from mid-August through October.
As much as I enjoy all that summer has to offer, I know the importance of being prepared. Hurricanes can bring power outages, flooding, and supply shortages with little warning. That’s why I make a plan, build an emergency kit, and sign up for alerts early in the season—so I can relax knowing that I’m ready.
Hopefully, you already have the basics in your emergency kit: a radio (battery-powered or hand-crank), flashlight, and first aid supplies. I also always recommend having freezer and refrigerator thermometers to verify temperatures. Additionally, you’ll need food and water to last three to seven days for everyone in your household.
Many people overlook meal planning in an emergency. If the power goes out, how will you eat without a working fridge or microwave? I stock up on shelf-stable foods like canned fruits and vegetables, beans, canned chicken or tuna, nut butters, and shelf-stable milk. These are versatile, require no cooking, and are easy to store.
You can still eat well even without power. Breakfast might be cereal with shelf-stable milk or a peanut butter and banana wrap. Many fruits—bananas, oranges, apples—don’t need refrigeration until cut and are perfect for emergency meals.
Lunch could be a tuna or chicken salad sandwich, peanut butter and jelly, or hummus with crackers and veggies. For dinner, try a buffalo chicken wrap, a chicken sandwich, or a bean salad with canned corn and tomato. Just remember: once you open cans or cut produce, some items need refrigeration within four hours, so prep small portions.
Make sure to consider everyone’s needs. That includes supplies for pets, medications, mobility aids, and any dietary restrictions. Keep extra glasses or contact lenses, and store key documents in a waterproof folder.
Don’t forget about communication and safety. Charge your devices ahead of time, and keep power banks or solar chargers handy. A battery-powered or hand-crank radio is helpful if cell service is down. Lastly, talk with your household about your emergency plan. Know where to go, how to communicate, and where your supplies are. Signing up for local alerts ensures you’ll get important updates when it matters most, visit emergencynhc.com to learn more.
Hurricane season can be unpredictable—but being prepared helps you stay safe, calm, and in control. Take time now to get ready, then go enjoy your summer with peace of mind
Morgan King is the Family & Consumer Sciences Agent and Interim Director for N.C. Cooperative Extension – New Hanover County Center. The office is located at the Arboretum, 6206 Oleander Drive, and is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reach her at morgan_king@ncsu.edu or 910-798-7660.