Hurricanes
Overview
Hurricanes are tropical cyclones that rotate counterclockwise with wind speeds in excess of 74 mph. Most hurricanes form over warm seas near the equator. They are created when the sun heats the ocean surface, causing heated water vapor to rise, condense, and form clouds. These clouds begin to spiral as the earth rotates. More air is pulled underneath and a large vortex is formed.
On average, six Atlantic hurricanes develop each year. When a hurricane moves toward coastal areas it often causes severe damage. Strong winds create storm surges, floods, rip tides, and can even spawn tornadoes. As the hurricane moves forward, its right front quadrant is typically where the most devastation occurs.
Hurricane season begins June 1 and continues through November 30. Be sure to practice hurricane preparedness and learn about hurricane safety and survival.
To assist in being prepared before, during, and after a storm, review the following links for helpful information.
- FEMA: How to Prepare for a Hurricane (PDF)
- Ready: Hurricanes
- N.C. Department of Public Safety: Hurricane Guide (PDF) | Guia Sobre Hurricanes (PDF)
- N.C. Department of Public Safety: Know Your Evacuation Zone | Brunswick County Evacuation Zones Map (PDF)
- N.C. Department of Transportation: Evacuation Routes
- N.C. Cooperative Extension – Brunswick County Center: Hurricane Meal Kits Program
- Brunswick County: Know Your Flood Zone and Flood Risk
- Brunswick County: Hurricane Preparation Checklist (PDF)
- National Weather Service: Latest Weather Briefing for Southeast North Carolina
Hurricane Preparedness Tips
We would like to encourage you to start preparing for emergencies and stay #ReadyBrunswick by reviewing the following tips.
It’s important to plan for multiple ways you will receive information in the event of a tropical event.
- Get the latest updates from the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Wilmington (NWS Wilmington, NC) on their website, social media, and/or through a NOAA weather radio.
- Tune in to local news and radio stations, or check your favorite weather app.
- To get updates from Brunswick County:
- Sign up for the ReadyBrunswick Emergency Notification System
- Download the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office Mobile App
- Subscribe to the County’s Emergency Updates email list
- Follow Brunswick County Government and the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office on social media
Know the difference between a Hurricane Watch, a Hurricane Warning, and a Tropical Storm Warning.
- A Hurricane Watch indicates hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or greater) are possible somewhere within the specified area. Watches are usually issued 48 hours before the beginning of tropical storm-force winds.
- A Hurricane Warning indicates hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or greater) are expected somewhere within the specified area. Warnings are usually issued 36 hours before the beginning of tropical storm-force winds.
- A Tropical Storm Warning indicates tropical storm conditions (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) are expected somewhere within the specified area within 36 hours.
Visit the North Carolina Department of Public Safety’s Know Your Zone webpage to view areas most at risk of storm surges and flooding in Brunswick County. Local officials use the zones to determine which areas should be evacuated in case of an emergency. Decide where you would go and what routes you would take if you had to evacuate.
Keep your property's flood zone and flood risk in mind as you develop your evacuation plan.
Learn more about hurricane evacuations and household evacuation planning on our Hurricane Evacuations webpage.
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.
Be aware of any unique needs for children, elderly, or disabled members of your household, as well as pets.
When planning where to evacuate, we recommend finding a place to stay in advance that is outside of typical affected areas and that is not in flood-prone areas.
Make a list of all important phone numbers you'll need in an emergency. We encourage you to use phones sparingly and have portable chargers on hand in case of power outages. If you know a hurricane or emergency event is about to happen or is happening and you still have power, make sure that all communication devices are charged and ready to use. During the event of a hurricane, only make essential calls and keep them brief. If you are reporting an emergency to 911, making sure to speak clearly and calmly while identifying yourself, your location, and your emergency.
Gather all your important documents and information in an easily accessible place in case of an emergency so that you can take it with you when evacuating. Important documents include, but are not limited to, copies of your driver's license, passport, social security card, insurance policies, individual and pet vaccination records, medical records, blood type, prescriptions, and bank account information. Getting a portable and flood-resistant safe is a secure and easy way to have your documents in one place and ready to go.
Additional resources and checklists can be found at ready.gov/financial-preparedness.
Before an emergency strikes, review your insurance policies to ensure your property is covered for any flooding or natural disasters that could occur. Policies you may need include homeowner's insurance, renter's insurance, flood insurance, and windstorm and hail coverage. Flood insurance, which is not normally part of homeowner’s insurance policies, is encouraged for North Carolina residents.
Additional resources and assistance can be found at ncdoi.gov/disaster and FloodSmart.gov.
Prepare materials to secure your home, especially doors, garages, and windows, from damage that could be caused by wind and debris. Install storm shutters, accordion shutters, and/or impact glass. Remember, the garage door is the most vulnerable part of the home, so it must be able to withstand hurricane-force winds. Seal outside wall openings. Keep the trees on your property trimmed and have dead or leaning trees removed. You can also secure any loose items on your property and clean out your rain gutters and downspouts. If you're a renter, work with your landlord now to prepare for a storm.
Visit the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) website to learn more about how to prepare your home for hurricanes.
For generator safety information, visit TakeYourGeneratorOutside.com or the American Red Cross' Safe Generator Use webpage.
Make sure everyone in your household knows how to turn off the electricity, gas, and water in case of emergency.
Residents and visitors are strongly encouraged to sign up for landline, mobile, email, and/or TDD/TTY device emergency alerts from Brunswick County's emergency notification system, ReadyBrunswick.
The Brunswick County Access and Functional Needs (AFN) Registry is a HIPAA-compliant database of residents who may have additional needs in functional areas before, during, and after an emergency event such as a hurricane. The registry helps emergency responders identify these individuals, ensuring faster and more effective support during a disaster.
Enrollment in the AFN Registry is recommended for individuals who:
- Have physical, developmental, or intellectual disabilities
- Use mobility aids (e.g., wheelchairs, walkers, canes)
- Rely on medical equipment or assistive devices (e.g., oxygen tanks, ventilators)
- Have chronic health conditions that require regular care or medication
- Have visual, hearing, or speech impairments
- Experience cognitive or mental health challenges (e.g., dementia, severe anxiety, autism)
- Need help with daily living activities (e.g., eating, bathing, dressing)
- Lack reliable transportation or are unable to drive due to age, disability, or financial hardship
- Are elderly and live alone, or are socially isolated
- Are temporarily injured or recovering from surgery
When an emergency event is anticipated or has occurred, Brunswick County Emergency Management team members will use the ReadyBrunswick Emergency Notification System to contact all individuals in the AFN Registry in the affected area at one time. People on the registry will be provided with all pertinent information related to that specific emergency event and will be asked to share their status, evacuation plans, and anticipated needs for that specific event.
Signing up for the AFN Registry is voluntary; registrants can opt out at any time. Any information submitted is strictly confidential and will only be used in the event of an emergency.
To learn more about the AFN Registry, contact Brunswick County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) at 910.253.2850.
For assistance with signing up for ReadyBrunswick and the AFN Registry, email Brunswick County Emergency Management or call 910.253.5383.
Additional Information and Resources:
- Access & Functional Needs (AFN) Pamphlet (PDF)
- Disaster Preparedness Guide for Seniors and Caregivers
- Ready.gov - Preparing Makes Sense for Older Americans Pamphlet (PDF)
- Ready.gov - Preparing Makes Sense for People with Disabilities and Others w/Access and Functional Needs Pamphlet (PDF)
- Ready.gov - Preparing Makes Sense Pamphlet (PDF)
- Sign-up for the AFN Registry
The Brunswick County Fire Marshal's Office provides many community risk reduction resources to Brunswick County residents and property owners, such as a free smoke alarm installation program, free carbon monoxide detector installation program, fire extinguisher training, and more.
Contact your local fire department to find out if they may have programs that provide fire or carbon monoxide detectors.
Check online for free or discounted CPR courses offered near you.