September is National Preparedness Month, a time to make sure your home and family are ready for unexpected emergencies. In North Carolina, hurricanes, flooding and severe storms are the most common threats, but preparing now can lessen damage and protect what matters most.
Protect Your Home
Your home is the first line of defense during a storm. Taking a few simple steps now can make a big difference when severe weather hits.
- Inspect your roof, windows and doors for weak spots and make repairs before storm season.
- Keep gutters and drains clear to reduce the risk of water damage.
- Secure outdoor furniture or bring it inside so it doesn’t become a hazard in high winds.
Safeguard Important Documents
When disaster strikes, having quick access to your most important papers can save time and stress. Protecting documents now ensures you’ll have what you need to recover more easily later.
- Store home ownership papers, insurance policies and financial records in a waterproof, fireproof container.
- Keep digital copies in a secure, cloud-based account so they are easy to access after a disaster.
Review Your Insurance
Insurance is one of the best tools you have to recover after a disaster. Taking time to review your coverage now can help prevent costly surprises later.
- Make sure your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance covers natural disasters common in North Carolina.
- Consider flood insurance, which isn’t always included in standard policies.
Create a Home Emergency Kit
An emergency kit keeps essentials within reach, helping your family stay safe and comfortable during the first critical days of a disaster.
- Stock three days of food, water, flashlights, batteries, medications and first aid supplies.
- Include copies of keys, pet supplies and items for family members with special needs.
Plan Ahead
Having a plan in place takes the guesswork out of an emergency and helps your household act quickly when every minute counts.
- Know your evacuation route and identify nearby shelters. Use the ReadyNC evacuation map to plan your route and check the Red Cross shelter finder to locate open shelters near you.
- Share your emergency plan with everyone in your household so they know what to do.
Know Your Housing Recovery Options
Even with preparation, disasters can sometimes damage homes. If you’re displaced after an emergency:
- NC Emergency Management provides updates on shelters, recovery centers and housing support.
- FEMA Disaster Assistance may provide temporary housing, rental help and repair support after federally declared disasters at disasterassistance.gov.
Being prepared means more than having a supply kit—it’s about making your home stronger, keeping records safe and knowing your options before and after a storm. Taking these steps now can save time, money and stress later.
For more tips and resources, visit ReadyNC.gov.
At the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency, we are committed to making housing safe and affordable for families across the state. By preparing today, you can help protect both your home and your future.
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