Calm Before the Storm: It’s Time to Prepare for Hurricane Season

Eye of the Hurricane. Hurricane on Earth. Typhoon over planet Earth.. Category 5 super typhoon approaching the coast. View from outer space. (Elements of this image furnished by NASA)

National Hurricane Preparedness Week is May 4-10 and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services is encouraging residents to take steps now to prepare themselves for the upcoming hurricane season. The Atlantic hurricane season is June 1 to Nov. 30, with systems typically peaking in September.  

Hurricanes can be unpredictable, but preparation doesn’t have to be. There are several steps residents can take to get ready for the upcoming hurricane season:  

  • Know your flood risk by visiting StormWater.CharMeck.org and clicking the 3D Flood Zone button. Remember, flooding can happen anywhere, even outside of a floodplain.  
  • Protect your property with flood insurance. Traditional homeowner and renter insurance policies do not cover flooding, but the National Flood Insurance Program is available to everyone. Plus, residents in the city of Charlotte are eligible for flood insurance discounts thanks to a recently upgraded Community Rating System designation.    
  • Sign up for CharMeck Alerts to receive timely and accurate emergency information, including updates on flooding. Stay tuned to the National Weather Service, National Hurricane Center, and local media for current updates. 
  • Make a plan: Know where to go if you and your family need to evacuate.  

Hurricanes may bring high winds and power outages, but flooding is often Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s biggest threat. Six inches of rushing water can knock a person over and just a foot of rushing water can carry away a vehicle.  

The importance of preparing for hurricane season remains a top priority after the destruction caused last year by Hurricanes Debby and Helene. In August, Hurricane Debby dumped historic amounts of rain on the area, flooding area creeks and streams. One month later, flooding and high winds from Hurricane Helene significantly damaged approximately 170 homes in the Catawba River floodplain, with approximately 46 suffering irreparable damage. There were also three storm-related fatalities in Mecklenburg County.

These storms aren’t the first to cause significant damage to our area. Hurricanes Ian and Florence brought high winds, flooding, and power outages in 2022 and 2018, respectively.