March 3-9 marks Severe Weather Preparedness Week in North Carolina, and Governor Roy Cooper, in collaboration with North Carolina Emergency Management, urges residents to stay prepared for potential severe weather. Governor Cooper emphasizes the importance of readiness during the active spring season for tornadoes and thunderstorms.
Residents are advised to stay informed through weather reports, emergency announcements, and to create a preparedness plan along with updating their emergency kits. Governor Cooper encourages participation in the statewide tornado drill on March 6 at 9:30 a.m., emphasizing the importance of knowing the safest places in homes or workplaces.
Tornadoes, formed during severe thunderstorms, can bring large hail and winds reaching up to 300 miles per hour. Will Ray, Director of North Carolina Emergency Management, stresses the rapid development of tornadoes, underscoring the need for quick responses.
In 2023, North Carolina experienced 24 tornado touchdowns, 127 large hail events, 844 damaging thunderstorm wind events, and 139 flood or flash flood events. Safety tips include creating a family emergency plan, seeking shelter during thunderstorms, identifying safe rooms, understanding weather terms, assembling emergency supply kits, and knowing appropriate actions when driving.
Emergency Management officials recommend following safety tips, such as developing a family emergency plan, seeking shelter during thunderstorms, identifying safe rooms, understanding weather terms, assembling emergency supply kits, and taking appropriate actions when driving.
To enhance resilience and preparedness, individuals and businesses can visit readync.gov.
