Because a hurricane is likely to hit the Tarheel State, Gov. Roy Cooper is suggesting people be prepared as hurricane season approaches. | Adobe Stock
Because a hurricane is likely to hit the Tarheel State, Gov. Roy Cooper is suggesting people be prepared as hurricane season approaches. | Adobe Stock
Although the official start of hurricane season is almost a month away, Gov. Roy Cooper (D-NC) is reminding North Carolinians to be prepared.
“North Carolina is prone to the impacts of hurricanes, tropical storms and other severe weather,” Cooper said, according to his website. “It’s important to be prepared by having a family emergency plan and emergency kit, which will help you to survive the impacts of a storm and recover faster.”
Colorado State University (CSU) meteorologists are calling for a busier-than-average hurricane season this year, anticipating more named storms than usual, Fox 8 News reported. Weather watchers at CSU released the hurricane forecast in April. They said they expect 19 named storms this year, with nine picking up enough force to become hurricanes. Four of those are predicted to be categorized as “major hurricanes.”
Their prediction is based on the prevailing La Niña conditions, Fox 8 News reported, which have lasted longer than expected. With that, a transition to El Niño conditions will likely be delayed. CSU’s Philip Klotzbach and Michael Bell said in their report that “El Niño typically reduces Atlantic hurricane activity through increases in vertical wind shear," according to Fox 8 News.
With the active outlook, Cooper said it’s not too early to start gearing up. People can do things like making sure they have a first-aid kit and evacuation plan, even a "go bag," where you have extra doses of prescription medications, a weather radio and other helpful items on hand. A tent and sleeping bag should be on hand, too, for those who have to evacuate and can’t find room at a shelter.
Hurricane season runs from June 1 until Nov. 30, but it’s still possible for storms to rise up outside of those dates. In the past couple of years, Tropical Storm Fred hit Western North Carolina (2021), and Hurricanes Isaias and Eta damaged parts of the state in 2020. Hurricane Dorian hit in 2019, and several storm systems hit in 2018. The Outer Banks barrier islands are especially vulnerable to high waves and wind.
North Carolina residents should also take steps to protect their homes, the governor said. Consider trimming trees and taping windows, so if they shatter, the pieces of glass are less likely to scatter and strike people, and bring in outdoor furniture and trash cans ahead of a predicted storm.
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