As we gear up for the 2024 hurricane season, which officially kicks off on June 1st, it’s crucial to remember the lessons learned from previous years and be prepared. At JOEMC, we urge all our members to take proactive steps to safeguard themselves and their families against potential storms, especially given North Carolina’s vulnerability to hurricane damage.

Essential Tasks for Hurricane Preparedness

1. Develop a Comprehensive Plan: Outline a communication and evacuation strategy for your family, ensuring everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency. Remember to include plans for pets and livestock, ensuring their safety as well.

2. Prepare an Emergency Kit: Assemble an emergency kit containing vital items that can sustain you and your family for at least three days. This kit should include: 

• Important documents stored in a waterproof container 

• Sufficient cash 

• Non-perishable food, water, and medication 

• First-aid supplies 

• Battery-powered radio 

• Flashlight with extra batteries 

• Personal hygiene items 

• Extra clothing and blankets 

• Food and supplies for pets

3. Stay Informed: Keep abreast of storm-related updates and outage information by connecting with us online at joemc.com or via our social media channels. If you’re not already enrolled, sign up for our outage text alert program. Ensure you have our outage reporting number and email readily available: (910) 353-1940 and joemc@joemc.com.

4. Receive Local Alerts: Register for local weather alerts and warnings to stay informed about potential threats in your area. Utilize resources such as ReadyNC.org or download the ReadyNC app for comprehensive preparedness tips, real-time weather updates, and traffic information.

By taking these proactive measures, we can better protect ourselves and our community from the potential impacts of hurricanes during the upcoming season. Let’s stay vigilant and prepared together.