RALEIGH — FEMA has issued a news release urging North Carolinians to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season that begins June 1.
Southeastern North Carolina has been staggered twice in the last three years. Matthew struck the region in October 2016 and Florence came ashore near Wrightsville Beach in September.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Flood Map Service Center can provide information on the risk of flooding. Other tips from FEMA include:
• Stay informed. Download an emergency weather app on your phone. Purchase a weather radio.
• Plan to evacuate. Know your community’s evacuation plan, evacuation routes and how to receive alerts.
• Build an emergency kit. Keep it ready at home, at work and in the car.
• Buy flood insurance. Most home insurance policies do not cover flooding. National Flood Insurance Program policies take 30 days from the date of purchase to go into effect. To learn more about protecting your home, go online to floodsmart.gov.
• Protect your documents. Keep computers and important documents in a waterproof container. Remember to create password-protected digital copies.
• Protect your property. Move valuables to higher levels.