SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — As Hurricane Idalia moves through Georgia and toward the Carolinas Wednesday evening, there are multiple ways to remain informed via emergency alerts.
READ MORE: Closures, delays, cancellations due to tropical storm warning in effect
“Tropical storms and Category 1 hurricanes cause more deaths than even the most powerful of storms,” Tommy Batson, Pender County Emergency Management director, said in a release. “It’s important to treat these storms with caution and preparation.”
Aside from having an emergency plan in place, as well as an emergency kit, it should include access to alerts as released by county officials.
Pender County uses the Nixle emergency alerts system, available here. Residents can text their Pender zip code to 888777 and get the Nixle Emergency Notifications on their smartphones to be notified via text, phone or email about emergency situations.
In New Hanover County, an automated safety notification system is available by filling out a form here, which requires a phone number.
Brunswick County residents can sign up for ReadyBrunswick by registering here or texting “Brunswick” to 888777 to receive notifications only (zip code required). The system will notify members of critical information regarding severe weather, unexpected road closures, missing persons, evacuations of buildings or neighborhoods, and more.
Statewide, ReadyNC also has a list of evacuation routes, power outages, open shelters, road conditions, and links to all social media and other communications for county governments; see more here.
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) should be automated on most cellphones. There is no download required other than users ensuring “emergency alert messages” or “government alerts” is turned on in the settings, listed under notifications; older cellphones may not have the capability. All cellphone providers participate in the program.
WEA sends short messages from authorized local, state, and federal partners, broadcast from cell towers to any WEA-enabled device. Messages include warnings from the National Weather Service, as well as National Center for Missing and Exploited Children for AMBER Alerts.
UNCW students can log into UNCWAlert emergency notification system, which includes voice and text messages. Campus officials advise that during a tornado warning, students seek shelter immediately, move to an interior hallway or a room on the lowest floor of the building, and avoid windows and take shelter beneath a desk or heavy furniture. Wait for an all-clear message from UNCW.
A few more tips to consider when preparing for a tropical storm or hurricane:
- Know your zone — Visit the NC Department of Public Safety’s Know Your Zone webpage to view the areas most at risk of storm surges and flooding
- Create an evacuation plan — When planning where to evacuate, move inland away from flood-prone areas.
- Prepare an emergency kit — An emergency kit is vital for your survival in situations where help might not be easily accessible due to power outages, flooding, and road damage.
- Stay informed — During an emergency, stay informed with reliable weather information.
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