Severe Weather Preparedness Week Is March 2-8

Charlotte-Mecklenburg joins North Carolina in recognizing the first week of March as Severe Weather Preparedness Week. From March 2-8, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management Office are encouraging residents to stay informed on flood risks and to be prepared for an emergency.

In 2024, Charlotte-Mecklenburg experienced over four feet of rain. In addition to the frequent weather threats, unprecedented hurricanes like Helene and Debby produced flooding across the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area.

This hurricane season underscored the importance of being prepared for severe weather and potential flooding. While such events are occurring more frequently, there are actions residents can take to stay informed and ready.

Be informed: While severe weather can happen during any season, there is increased risk during the spring and summer.

Thunderstorms and flash floods pose a high risk to our community. Flooding can happen anywhere, even outside of a floodplain. Even six inches of rushing water can knock a person over and 12 inches of moving water can move a car.

Residents can find out if their home is in a floodplain by visiting StormWater.CharMeck.org and clicking the 3D Floodzone Maps button.

Be prepared: Sign up for CharMeckAlerts to receive timely emergency information. Make a plan for your household so you know what to do and where to go to protect yourself from flooding. Stay informed about severe weather by monitoring local weather channels.

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. Learn more at Floodsmart.gov.

"One of the ways we can protect our loved ones is to be proactive in taking actions before a flood event,” said Don Ceccarelli, Mecklenburg County’s Storm Water Services director. “Those actions can include simple steps like storing important documents and valuables in higher areas of your home, elevating appliances, using flood-resistant materials during renovation projects (like tile instead of carpet) and other actions like purchasing flood insurance and elevating your entire home."