Are you Ready for Severe Weather?

Transparent umbrella under heavy rain against water drops splash background. Rainy weather concept.

Severe Weather Preparedness Week for North Carolina is March 3 to March 9, 2024. The National Weather Service and government partners join together to improve our readiness, responsiveness and resilience against severe weather in the upcoming season. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services wants our area to prepare before the challenging circumstances begin. Warmer weather often brings an increased chance of severe weather.

Flood Safety Tips  

Flooding is Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s biggest natural threat. While it can occur during any season, there is an increased chance during warmer weather. Here are some tips to help you prepare for the chance of flooding:  

  • Know the types of flood risks in your area (flash flooding, river flooding, etc.). Remember, flooding can happen anywhere, even outside of a floodplain.  
     
  • Make a plan for your household so that you and your family know what to do, where to go, and what you will need to protect yourselves from flooding.  
     
  • Purchase flood insurance. Traditional homeowner and renter insurance policies do not cover flooding. The National Flood Insurance Program is available to all (even if you don’t live in a floodplain). Please remember, there is typically a 30-day waiting period after you purchase. Learn more at Floodsmart.gov.  
     
  • Turn Around, Don’t Drown. Six inches of rushing water can knock a person over and just a foot of rushing water can carry away a car.  
     
  • You can stay up to data with the latest rainfall and stream levels on the Storm Water Services webpage. StormWater.CharMeck.org
     
  • If told to evacuate, do so immediately. Never drive around barricades. Local responders use them to safely direct traffic out of flooded areas.  

More flood safety tips available at StormWater.CharMeck.org or Ready.gov.  

Sign Up for CharMeck Alerts  

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management Office provides timely and accurate emergency information, including updates on flooding, through its CharMeck Alerts Notification System. You can choose what types of alerts you would like to receive and how you would like to receive them, whether via phone call, text, push notification or email. Alerts are geographically targeted and include options for both emergency alerts and non-emergency alerts related to local government services.