Editor's Note

Are You Ready?

2022 Predictions NOAA CSU NCSU Avg Named 14-20 19 17 - 21 14 Hurricanes 6-10 9 7 - 9 7 Major 3-5 4 3 - 5 3

Previous Storms 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 Named 21 30 18 15 17 Hurricanes 7 13 6 8 10 Major 4 6 3 2 4

Isincerely hope I’m wrong, but I have a bad feeling about this hurricane season, and we’re now in the peak of it. The storm predictions for this season are higher than they’ve been in a decade, and in recent years, actual storms have met or exceeded predictions.

Additionally, I’ve read multiple forecasts lately stating that the East Coast, from Florida to the Carolinas are expected to take the brunt of it.

I also worry that we’ve become complacent, having had little damage since Matthew in 2016. In a recent Facebook group post, someone new to the area asked about hurricane preparations and more than one comment from locals advised her that, “You don’t have too much to worry about. Most hurricanes hit the gulf coast.”

Between complacency, inexperienced newcomers and worrisome forecasts, I have a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Please be ready. And once you’re ready, talk with people you know who’ve moved to the area and don’t have experience dealing with hurricanes, to help them prepare.

At a minimum: • Trim and dispose of dead branches and look at the trees near your house. Are they healthy or a threat? Remember pines have shallow root systems and can fall easily after heavy rains. • Have a plan for storing/securing outdoor furniture, lawn art, equipment, and anything else in your yard that could become missiles and do damage to your home or your neighbors' homes. • Figure out your evacuation plan. Typically everything east of I-95 falls in the mandatory evacuation zone due to risk of flooding and high winds. Where will you go? How will you get there? What will you take? If you have any sort of health issue that relies on electricity, evacuate. If you need help evacuating, contact your county emergency management agency to ask about assistance. • Plan for your pets. Get copies of their shot records from your vet, make sure you have plenty of food, treats and toys on hand. If they get stressed during storms, ask your vet about calming aids. Make sure your carriers are ready to go and look NOW for pet-friendly lodging. • If you have a generator, make sure it’s working properly. Does it take oil? If so, get oil and filters now. Remember to use ethanol-free fuel if you’ll be leaving the fuel sit in the generator for any length of time. Use Sta-bil as needed. Ideally, you should start and run your generator every three months to keep it in optimal operating condition. Although fuel prices are high right now, if you wait until a storm is headed our way, you may yourself standing in long lines or even that gas stations have run out of gas. Fill your tanks. Read the safety section of your generator manual. Know the load capacity and how long it can run on a tank of fuel. Know what you can plug in without overloading it. Do you have the right extension cords? A place to operate it out of the rain and so exhaust can’t enter your house? • If you don’t have a generator, have plans for what you’ll do to preserve the food in your refrigerator and freezer, how you’ll prepare food, what you’ll do for water (wells can’t pump water without power), how you’ll stay cool, charge your phone, and what you’ll do for light. (Not candles!) • Water for drinking and hygiene is critical. Picking up a case or two of bottled water from the grocery store probably won’t do the trick. You need water to drink, cook with, for hand-washing, for your pets, for bathing, and flushing the toilet. Even if you evacuate, you still need to plan for your return in case power hasn’t been restored or the no-drink order hasn’t been lifted. • Food. If you don’t have a generator, you’re at risk of losing the food in your refrigerator and freezer. Plan meals now, based on things your family will actually eat and that you can easily prepare without a fully-functioning kitchen. Even if you have a generator, remember it can’t run 24/7, so plan accordingly.

These are the basics. Also look into your insurance coverages, consider making a household inventory, plan for medicines, plan a way to store important documents, remember to have cash on hand in case of widespread power outages, and even consider morale and entertainment.

I hope I’m wrong and we have another easy season, but just in case, please be ready. If you’d like guidance, please feel free to reach out. I’m happy to talk through your plans and make suggestions in keeping with your budget and circumstances.

Stay safe and be ready!

See you out there! Amy Thurman Editor in Chief amy@southerntidesmagazine.com

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