Category 1 of 5

Home readiness.

The universal foundation — these apply regardless of where in NC you live or what hazards are most likely near you.

72-Hour Kit Basics

Water — 1 gallon per person per day for 3 days minimumFamily of 4 = 12 gallons. Store in food-grade containers away from sunlight.

72-hour food supply — shelf-stable, no cooking requiredCanned goods, bars, jerky. Rotate every 6–12 months.

Flashlights + extra batteries (not candles)One per household member. Test monthly.

Battery or hand-crank NOAA weather radioCritical in NC — cell service and power fail together during major storms.

First aid kit — stocked and unexpiredConsider Red Cross certification →

7-day supply of prescription medicationsRequest early refill before a named storm. Pharmacies run out during evacuations.

Cash in small billsCard readers fail during extended outages. $100–$200 in small denominations.

Phone chargers + portable battery packKeep the battery pack at 80%+ charge continuously.

Power Outage Readiness

Know your utility's outage reporting numberDuke Energy, Progress, Dominion, or your co-op →

Bookmark your utility's outage mapDo this before the outage — you won't be able to find it easily in the dark.

Know how to manually open your garage doorMost people don't until they're blocked in.

Generator setup and fuel plan (if applicable)Never run indoors or in the garage. Keep 5+ gallons of treated fuel stored.

Know how to shut off your main water valveNC ice storms cause burst pipes. Know the location before winter.

Freeze water jugs as a backup food preservation methodFill gallon bags and freeze them — buys 24–48 extra hours for a full freezer.

Alternate heat source plan (if electric heat)NC Piedmont winter outages regularly last 3–5 days after ice storms.

Document Go-Bag

Copies of IDs (driver's license, passport, birth certificates)

Insurance policies — homeowner's, auto, health, floodNC homeowner's policies don't cover flood. Know what you have before you file a claim.

Photo inventory of home contentsWalk every room with your phone. Store in cloud and on a USB drive.

Social Security cards

Bank account numbers + emergency contact listPrinted, not just in your phone.

Prescription information (medications, dosages, prescribing doctor)

Wills, medical directives, power of attorneyKnow where they are and who else knows where they are.

NC-Specific Home Actions

Sign up for ReadyNC alerts at readync.govreadync.gov →

Sign up for your county's local alert systemFind your county system →

Check your flood zone (if in a floodplain)FEMA flood zone lookup →

Review your homeowner's insurance for flood and earthquake gapsStandard NC policies don't cover either. Florence caught thousands without it.

Know your coastal evacuation zone (if coastal county)Know Your Zone at ReadyNC →

Identify the nearest Level 1 trauma center to your homeRural NC counties can be 45+ minutes from trauma care.

Category 3 of 5

Community readiness.

The actions that connect your household to the people around it — before an emergency, not during one.

Know Your Neighbors

Introduce yourself to the four households nearest yoursName + which house you're in + a phone number. That's enough to start.

Identify neighbors who may need checking onElderly neighbors alone, households with young children, anyone on medical equipment.

Take a mental inventory of neighbor resourcesGenerator, chainsaw, medical training, truck with trailer. Informal mutual aid.

Agree on a neighborhood meeting point for major eventsA driveway, a yard, a landmark. Takes 30 seconds to agree on before you need it.

Engage & Train

Find your county's CERT program and consider enrollingNC CERT training →

Get CPR/first aid certified through the Red CrossFind a class near you →

Identify one volunteer role in your communityVolunteer fire, food bank, Habitat, Red Cross. One connection is enough to start.

Attend one community event this seasonFind local events →

All seven tabs — complete

The NC guide is yours.

Print this page, bookmark the tabs you need most, or start over at the NC state homepage. Local self-reliance starts with knowing your place.

NC State Homepage

Return to the full NC guide overview and all seven tabs.

First 72 Hours

The universal foundation before any local personalization.

What to do. In what order.

Home readiness.

72-Hour Kit Basics

Power Outage Readiness

Document Go-Bag

NC-Specific Home Actions

NC hazard checklists.

Hurricane Readiness

Winter Ice Storm Readiness

Flood Readiness

Tornado Readiness

Wildfire Readiness

Community readiness.

Know Your Neighbors

Engage & Train

Gardening by season.

Spring Garden Prep

Frost Protection Plan

Fall Garden Prep

Compost Setup

Safety net checklists.

Job Loss — First 72 Hours

Utility Shutoff Prevention

Annual Insurance Audit

Health Coverage Transition

The NC guide is yours.

NC State Homepage

First 72 Hours

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