Raleigh, N.C. —North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue proclaimed May 22-28 as Hurricane Preparedness Week, and in accordance with the governor’s proclamation, North Carolina’s electric cooperatives urge residents across the state to have a dependable plan in place for this year’s hurricane season.

Although no forecast is certain, early reports indicate that there could be as many as 18 named tropical storms with six to 10 of those potentially strengthening into hurricanes during the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season.  The 2011 hurricane season officially begins June 1 and ends on Nov. 30.

North Carolina’s electric cooperatives encourage residents to:

• Develop an evacuation route plan in advance. The plan should identify the safest routes and closest shelters.
• Remember your pets when planning for possible evacuation. Not all emergency shelters allow pets. Contact your local humane society to learn which animal shelters accept pets during disasters.
• Create a family disaster supply kit and be sure to include the following: a battery operated radio, flashlights, a first aid kit, non-perishable food items, a three-day water supply, a non-electric can opener, medicines, cash and credit cards.
• Teach children to call 911 in case of an emergency. Communicate with family members to be sure they know how to respond in a storm situation.
• Know the proper way to protect your home during a storm. Measure plywood panels to use when boarding your home’s windows before the storm hits.

A reliable plan is your best defense against a major storm this season. Communicate the plan to everyone in your family and be sure to tune in to your local radio news station during a storm emergency. For more information about storm preparedness, visit www.ncelectriccooperatives.com.  North Carolina’s electric cooperatives serve more than 2.5 million people in 93 of the state’s 100 counties.