Governor Josh Stein and other officials held a briefing on Thursday as hurricane season is now underway to remind North Carolinians to prepare now, and share how the state is ready to respond despite concerns about the future of federal resources.
“As our state braces for hurricane season, I encourage North Carolinians be aware of emergency management warnings and resources so that they have a plan to stay safe in case of an emergency,” Stein said in his prepared remarks. “Emergency Management continues to prepare amidst uncertainty on the federal level – we must stay the course and do everything in our power to keep North Carolinians safe no matter what happens in Washington, DC.”
Forecasters are calling for an above-average season of activity during the season that runs through November 30, with NOAA predicting 13 to 19 total named storms, six to ten hurricanes and three to five major hurricanes.
Researchers at North Carolina State University are calling for 12 to 15 named tropical cyclones this year, six to eight hurricanes and two to three storms becoming major hurricanes.
Colorado State University scientists are predicting an above-average season with 17 named storms, 9 to become hurricanes and 4 to reach major hurricane strength.
Stein, who is in his first term as governor after eight years as state Attorney General, was joined at a press conference at the state’s Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh by Director of Emergency Management Will Ray, current Attorney General Jeff Jackson, First Sgt. Chris Knox of the N.C. Highway Patrol, and N.C. Army National Guard Col. Patrick Henderson.
“My hope and prayer is that hurricanes pass North Carolina by this season,” Stein said. “But let’s not take any chances.”
“There are steps to be taken to protect yourself, your family, and your property if a hurricane or tropical weather does strike,” Ray said in his opening statement. “Remember to put together an emergency kit, have multiple avenues from which you can receive emergency announcements, and take the steps needed to protect your home.”
“It only takes one storm to impact our communities significantly,” Ray said.
Attorney General Jackson also warned about post-disaster scams, advising residents to be vigilant about price gouging, fraudulent charities, and suspicious repair contractors.
“As a rule, do not provide full payment up front if they’re demanding full payment up front, that should be a big red flag,” Jackson said. “If they’re demanding payment in cryptocurrency, if they say, I’ll only work for Bitcoin, that’s a huge red flag, not just for a post-hurricane environment, but just going forward.”
Stein expressed serious concerns about cuts to the National Weather Service and Federal Emergency Management Agency, calling them a “man-made disaster” that could significantly impact public safety before, during and after future storms.
“There’s fewer people to interpret the data that’s coming from whatever sensors are out there,” Stein said, after stating his concerns with cuts that are impacting simple data collection efforts such as weather balloons.
“I want to make sure that we have the best information as quickly as we can, so that we can make the best decisions that we can,” Stein said. “I think that we all have reason to be worried there are cuts happening at the federal government that are going to impact the quality of services that affect people’s lives.”
In an op-ed published last month by USA Today, the governor outlined his recommendations to reform FEMA, including focusing on permanently rebuilding homes and businesses, implementing a common application for survivors to apply for aid, and moving away from reimbursement programs.
“There is much room for improvement in FEMA, but abolishing FEMA exacerbates the problem as we enter another hurricane season,” Stein said in the piece.
“Foundationally, the funding model for emergency management here in North Carolina, both at a state level and a local level, is heavily reliant on federal grant funding,” Ray said.
“We are continuing to work with both the governor and the legislature, as well as our delegation in DC, on how we get a more sustainable funding model to support what is critical emergency management services across North Carolina,” Ray said.
During Thursday’s news conference, Stein and Ray detailed some of what was learned by state officials from the historic devastation and death caused by Hurricane Helene in 2024.
Between 12 and 31 inches of rain fell over the western third of the North Carolina within a 72-hour period, and produced flooding that rivaled previous high water marks set in 1916.
Preliminary data indicate that Helene was the deadliest hurricane to affect the continental U.S. since Katrina in 2005, with more than 150 direct fatalities, including 103 in North Carolina.
Damage estimates across 25 counties of the state have topped $58 billion, making it the costliest hurricane in North Carolina history.
“We take lessons learned from each event to better prepare for the next one,” Ray said.
That included the need to enhance communication redundancy, especially when cell networks are down, and develop better strategies to combat rapid misinformation spread on social media.
Ray noted there has been significant turnover and new personnel in recent months in local and state emergency management, and the state have since restructured cross-training programs to address knowledge gaps while recognizing the importance of experienced personnel in disaster response.
He said the state has reevaluated emergency commodity supplies and warehouse inventories, diversified contract services to ensure resource availability and expanded logistical capabilities to handle large-scale disaster needs
And Ray also detailed improved flood plain mapping using LIDAR technology.
Stein said there is a continued focus on rebuilding infrastructure more resiliently, particularly in flood-prone areas, while noting that the market will likely dictate where people can rebuild homes and businesses.
“Developers can’t get financing for their projects if they’re in a flood zone because they can’t get flood insurance,” Stein said.
First Sgt. Knox with the Highway Patrol said that the development of secondary evacuation routes, especially in mountain areas, was a key finding in the wake of Helene, along with improved coordination with the N.C. Department of Transportation for rapid road clearing.
Asked to detail some things that went right during the response to Helene and other storms, Stein complimented the number of North Carolina residents that were looking out for their neighbors, along with local first responders, that helped save lives.
“The statewide search and rescue program here in North Carolina, as well as our statewide hazardous materials response programs, I think, are two examples of when programs are resourced appropriately for years and dedicated time energy is spent developing capacity capability,” Ray said.
Ray also complimented the local personnel that worked with those teams.
“Partnership continues to be the key of everything that we do,” Ray said. “So all the agencies that are represented as a part of the State Emergency Response Team, regardless of public, private, nonprofit and volunteer agency, the capabilities they bring to bear is the strength of what we have here in in North Carolina, and it’s why other states look to North Carolina to provide that support.”
Stein also said he would be open to North Carolina creating a sales tax free holiday for disaster preparedness items, as is already done in Virginia, Florida, Alabama and Texas.
“I proposed a sales tax holiday for families going back to school,” Stein said. “And I can see the logic of how having a similar sales tax holiday for disaster prep.”
In a press release, Gov. Stein shared how North Carolinians can prepare before disaster strikes:
- Put together an emergency kit, including non-perishable food and water (1 gallon per person per day) for 3 to 7 days, a battery-powered or hand crank radio or a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio with extra batteries, and prescriptions and over the counter medication.
- Be aware of any unique needs for babies, elderly, or disabled members of your household, as well as pets.
- Have multiple ways to receive severe weather warnings such as the weather alert app on your phone, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio, or local TV news.
- Build an emergency plan in case you and your family need to evacuate, including a plan for communication. Have printed copies of family members’ phone numbers, social media handles, email addresses, and important medical information in case mobile devices die. Plan where you will meet if you are separated from your family and have copies of important papers such as birth and adoption certificates, driver’s licenses, or military ID’s.
- Take steps to protect your home by preparing a full list of personal items to help with insurance settlements or tax deductions.
- Be sure you know how to shut off your utilities safely. Water, electricity and gas are key services that can also cause special problems during an emergency. Do NOT try to turn the gas back on yourself. Always call a trained expert.
And he also recommended getting involved in community preparedness activities:
- Learn about the emergency plans for your children’s schools, your workplace, and your neighborhood.
- Participate in community preparedness exercises and drills.
- Volunteer with a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) to learn about disaster preparedness and receive training in basic disaster response skills.
- Contact the NC Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster for more ways to help.
