Be ready for whatever comes your way during this hurricane season

As any North Carolinian can tell you, hurricanes can be as unpredictable as they are destructive. Associated storm surge, rain and high winds can ravage roads and power lines, leaving communities feeling helpless.

But North Carolina’s electric cooperatives are working long before any hurricane is on the horizon to ensure outages and restoration time are minimized. Throughout the year, we maintain clear rights-of-way, trimming trees and vegetation along power line corridors that could create outages and hinder restoration efforts. Should a hurricane become an imminent threat to North Carolina, electric co-op power restoration crews stand ready to restore any outages as soon as conditions are safe.

Take some time to make sure you’re also prepared for hurricane season, using these resources as a guide. Contact your local electric cooperative with any hurricane-related questions not answered here.

Before

Hone Your Storm Smarts

Hurricane tracking data can help you be prepared

Will Your Home Withstand Storm Season?

Document it for insurance, shore up weak points

Making a Disaster Supply Kit

Recommendations from the American Red Cross

Storm Watch

How to prepare your family and property for severe weather

Be Prepared

Hurricane Safety Tips

Food Safety During a Power Outage

Before, during and after your power goes out

During

  • Stay tuned to your cooperative and local news sources for information about power outages, weather conditions and safety messages.
  • Get inside a building and stay away from the windows.

Should a power outage occur:

  • Report the outage to your electric cooperative
  • If you use candles, don’t leave them unattended and keep them away from furniture, draperies and other flammable materials. Make sure to keep children away from open flames.
  • Don’t open freezers and refrigerators any more than absolutely necessary.
  • Turn off your heating and air conditioning systems, as well as electric range, to avoid straining the grid when service is restored.
  • Unplug sensitive electronic appliances such as TVs, DVRs, microwave ovens and computers — this will protect your appliances against power fluctuations that can occur when power is restored.
  • After power is restored, wait five to 10 minutes before turning on appliances and heating systems.

—Source: Ready.gov

After

Stay Safe Around Downed Power Lines

Assume any downed line is energized and follow these tips

How Power is Restored After a Storm

Steps to getting co-op members back online

How to Operate a Portable Generator Safely

Use the correct size generator and run it safely

Stay Safe Long After the Storm

Steps to make sure your house is healthy after a hurricane