News Flash

NEWS RELEASE
Emergency Management
May 1, 2020

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Emergency Management is encouraging residents to plan now for hurricane season by updating their emergency plans and supply kits. Hurricane season officially begins June 1 and runs through November. 

To encourage residents to prepare, Governor Roy Cooper has declared May 3-9 as Hurricane Preparedness Week. Forsyth County residents should take this time to review and practice their emergency plans, said Emergency Management Coordinator Leigha Cordell. 

“You can be better prepared to survive a hurricane and mitigate damage to your home or business by planning for a tropical storm or hurricane,” Cordell said. “When residents have a plan and a survival kit it goes a long way to helping our county preparedness and protect our first responders.

“You should also talk to your neighbors about their plans,” Cordell said, “especially those who may need assistance such as senior citizens. Discuss how you can assist one another so everyone is safe.”

Plans should include where to go and what to do if a hurricane strikes, and include provisions for those under your care who are unable to help themselves. Residents should also review and update their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies to ensure they include coverage for damage, natural disasters and flood insurance. 

Families and businesses should write down their plan and gather important documents, such as copies of driver’s licenses, insurance policies, medicals records, and bank account statements, and put them somewhere where they can be quickly accessed in case of emergency. 

Emergency supply kits should contain enough non-perishable food and water to last each family member three to seven days. Other essential items include: 

• First-aid kit 
• Weather radio and batteries 
• Prescription medicines 
• Sleeping bag or blankets 
• Changes of clothes 
• Hygiene items such as toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and deodorant 
• Cash or checkbook 
• Pet supplies including food, water, leashes, bedding, muzzle and vaccination records

Forsyth County residents should stay informed during severe weather by using a battery-powered radio for weather and evacuation information and should know evacuation routes in their community. When asked to evacuate, residents should leave the area immediately. 

“Being prepared for severe weather and hardening our community doesn’t mean that we won’t suffer severe damage but it does improve our chances for surviving and recovering quicker from a storm,” Cordell said.

More information on hurricanes and overall emergency preparedness can be found online at http://www.readyforsyth.org/ or www.ReadyNC.org. Please take a moment to “like” ReadyForsyth on Facebook to receive the most recently updated information.