North Carolina’s Hurricane Preparedness Week is May 4 – 10, 2025. This is a joint effort by the National Weather Service and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety to promote hurricane safety among residents. The week is a good time to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season, which officially begins on June 1st.
Currituck County Emergency Management can help answer questions from local citizens regarding hurricane preparedness. You can contact the EM staff at 252-232-2115.
Currituck County recommends that all county residents sign up for Currituck Alert. This is the county’s mass notification system which sends emergency alerts to subscribers via email, text message, or recorded voice message. Residents can select their preferred method when signing up for Currituck Alert. Citizens may opt-in to receive text message alerts by texting the following keywords:
- SAFECOROLLA – Text message alerts for Corolla all-inclusive information. To sign up, text SAFECOROLLA to 888-777.
- CTUCKALERT– Text message alerts for all of Currituck County. To sign up, text CTUCKALERT to 888-777.
Major threats to Currituck County during Hurricane Season:
- Strong winds
- Flooding from heavy rain
- Storm surge
- Rip currents
- Tornadoes
Tips to Prepare Prior to Hurricane Season:
- Develop an evacuation plan for your family, identifying an intended destination and travel logistics.
- Create a communication list of family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc.
- Assemble an emergency safety kit. This will include items such as clothing, first aid supplies, prescription medicines, food, water, phone chargers, radio, cash, flashlights, etc.
- Make sure your home insurance is up-to-date and document your possessions with photos or video.
- Secure important documents in a waterproof container.
- Develop a plan for your pets and/or farm animals. Remember – if you evacuate, take your household pets and pet supplies with you.
- Create a checklist of actions for safeguarding your home and property when a storm approaches. This may include covering windows, securing boats and outdoor items, etc.
- Make sure generators are in good working condition.
- Understand where to get accurate weather forecast information. Excellent sources include the National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center, along with local news outlets.
- A storm “Watch” means conditions are possible within the next 48 hours. A storm “Warning” means conditions are expected within the next 36 hours.
Additional Points to Remember:
- Currituck County does not open pre-storm shelters due to the county’s low-lying geography and potential for flooding. If an evacuation is ordered, please follow this direction and leave for a safer location.
- Anyone who may need evacuation assistance should contact Emergency Management prior to a storm.
- The Currituck County Animal Shelter does not take in pets for county residents who evacuate. When you evacuate, take your pets with you.
- Keep your Currituck County Access Permit in your vehicle. The Access Permit is used as a re-entry pass into Corolla and/or other parts of the county following an evacuation.
