A natural disaster can happen at any time with or without warning. It is best to be prepared for any situation. This year, two tropical storms formed before the Atlantic Hurricane Season officially began, reminding us that preparedness is needed all year long. Late summer and fall is peak season in North Carolina for hurricanes.

A hurricane is an intense tropical storm with powerful winds and heavy rain. It uses warm water as an energy source to develop, and then once it moves over land, it loses strength. Coastal regions are most at risk for hurricanes. Beaufort County is considered a coastal area; therefore, we are at a higher risk for a possible hurricane, which is why it is important for residents to have an emergency plan and kit prior to a storm.

There are four easy steps to becoming better prepared for an emergency. Taking these steps can help protect your family when an emergency strikes: 1) make a plan; 2) discuss and practice your plan with your family; 3) make an emergency supply kit; and 4) stay informed.

Forming a plan only takes a few minutes. It is important to record what you need to do, where to go, and how to get in touch with family members. Include plans for any situation which identifies the hazards that have happened or could happen in your area. Plan for shelter, evacuation, and communication methods your family will use. Also, make sure you know where meeting places will be in case your family is separated. Make sure your plan fits your family’s needs and discuss it with every member in the house. Include special circumstances for young children, elders, animals, and dietary/medical needs. Be sure to include phone numbers of each family member, an out-of-state contact who can keep track of family members and “in case of emergency” contact for emergency personnel to use.

Plans can change or may need editing, so make sure you take time to review and update your plan and review it with your family. Practice makes perfect, so don’t wait for an emergency to occur to figure out what you need to do. It is important to know what to do in specific emergencies; therefore, practice each different type of emergency and what to do for them. Also, include what you would do if an emergency occurs while at work or school.

It is time to build an emergency kit! Remember basic supplies, where you will store your kit, food that stays edible for an extended period, and water. The following list provides items that should be in an emergency kit:

• Water — 1 gallon per person per day for up to three to seven days
• Food — non-perishable and canned food supply for three to seven days
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio with extra batteries
• Cellphone with charger and extra battery
• First aid kit and first aid book
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Manual can opener for food
• Anti-bacterial wipes and/or gel
• Wrench or pliers to turn off water
• Blankets or sleeping bags — one per person
• Prescription medications, glasses and hearing aids
• Seasonal change of clothing, including sturdy shoes
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and feminine products
• Extra house and car keys
• Important documents — insurance policies, driver’s license copy, Social Security card, bank account records
• Fire extinguisher
• Cash and change
• Books, games or cards

Maintaining and storing your kit are important. Make sure you are checking it regularly to keep items fresh and throwing out anything out of date. Make sure you store your kit in a safe, high and dry and easy-to-access space.

You and your family may need to stay at a shelter during an emergency for several reasons. For a list of shelters in Beaufort County, visit www.bchd.net/preparedness/. The length of time you would need to stay at a shelter depends on the emergency. If it is advised to evacuate, plan accordingly. Evacuations are more common than you may think. Some evacuations are highly recommended while others can be mandatory. The amount of time to evacuate will depend on the disaster. Make sure to include plans on how to assemble family, supplies and who to anticipate for an evacuation.

Stayed informed by learning about the risks of your area, such as if you live in a low-lying or floodplain area. Learn what to do before, during and after different emergencies. Listen to local media when severe weather threatens your area. In case of emergency, these warning systems or signals will notify you: radio, television, social media and emergency alert messages. The Health Department preparedness coordinator, local emergency management, local chapter of the American Red Cross, readync.org, and ready.gov are all other places that you can find more information.

Janell Lewis, MPH, human services planner III, preparedness coordinator of Beaufort County Health Department, can be reached by calling 252-940-5090.