June 1 marks the start of the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Each year, from June to the end of November, hurricanes are more likely to form due to rising temperatures that warm the ocean. While it is more common for hurricanes to form in the Fall, they can happen at any time, so it’s important to always be prepared.
A few ways you and your family can be prepared for a hurricane include having an emergency kit easily accessible and stocked with a first aid kit, flashlight, non-perishable food and water; being familiar with local evacuation routes; and staying up to date on storm changes and power outages in your area.
Sign up for local weather alerts and warnings, and follow the National Weather Service for information regarding tropical storms and hurricanes. You can also visit ReadyNC.org for tips for preparing for natural disasters, as well as real-time weather and traffic information.
Your local co-op is a vital resource for tracking power outages and learning more about safety precautions during a storm.
Co-op members are encouraged to connect with their local electric cooperative on social media or online to stay informed about outages and other storm information and keep their co-op’s outage reporting number handy. Real-time outage numbers for electric cooperatives statewide are available 24/7 on our Outage Map. Stay in touch and receive live updates by following North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives on Facebook.