North Carolina is among the states that lead the nation in the number of billion-dollar weather-related disasters since 1980. 

The North Carolina coast is the most vulnerable to hurricanes, but inland cities and towns can also be hit hard by high winds and potential tornadoes, storm surges, flooding and landslides from hurricanes and tropical storms.

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. It’s important to be as prepared as possible.

• Have a family emergency plan in place and a family emergency supplies kit assembled
• Know your evacuation routes and locate your local emergency shelters
• As a hurricane moves closer to your area, begin monitoring the weather reports every hour.
• Listen for hurricane watches and warnings
• Put gas in your vehicles and have cash on hand. Gas stations and banks may be closed after a hurricane
• If officials ask you to evacuate, do so
• If you evacuate, be alert to flooded or washed-out roads
• Keep a photo ID that shows your home address. It could become important when asking officials for permission to re-enter your neighborhood

--Information from readync.org