Hurricane season runs through November. Below are tips you and your family should practice to stay safe before, during and after the storm. 

Preparing for the hurricane:

• Make sure flashlights, battery-powered lanterns and other sources of light are readily available.

• Make sure flashlights and radio batteries are fresh. • Have an adequate supply of medicine, first aid supplies, and baby items.

• Keep a two-week supply of bottled water, non-perishable food items, batteries (including battery banks for phones) and solar-powered lights on hand.

• If prescriptions are essential, make sure to get them refilled in case of an extended power outage or extensive damage to the area.

• Keep identification and documentation on hand, such as your social security card, driver’s license, birth certificate and insurance information for your home, car, and life.

• Make an evacuation plan for you and your family in case of an extended power outage.

• Follow reliable local weather sources.

During the hurricane:

• Get inside a sturdy building and stay away from the windows.

• Don’t leave candles unattended and keep them away from furniture, draperies and other flammable materials. Keep children away from open flames.

• Don’t open freezers and refrigerators any more than absolutely necessary.

• Turn off your heating and air conditioning systems.

• Unplug sensitive electronic appliances such as TVs, game consoles, microwaves and computers – this will protect your appliances against power fluctuations that can occur when power is restored.

• After power is restored, be sure to wait five to 10 minutes before turning on appliances and heating systems.

After the hurricane:

•If power lines and poles are down in your area, treat them as if they are energized and dangerous. Never touch them and stay away. Make sure to call CCEC at 252.247.3107.

• Track outage and restoration progress on our outage website - outage.carteretcraven.coop.

• Debris from the storm can hide power lines that have fallen. Fallen trees that contain energized power lines can electrocute any item it comes in contact with, such as a metal fence, a pond or standing water. Even the ground can be energized near fallen power lines.

• If your electricity is out, make sure to check with neighbors to see if they have power. If they have power, you may have blown a fuse or tripped a breaker. Never replace a fuse or reset a circuit breaker with wet hands or while standing on a wet (or damp) surface.

• If you’re without electricity and want to use a portable generator, make sure to use it in a well-ventilated area.

• Replenish your supplies of batteries, bottled water, non-perishable food items and firewood for future hurricanes.