National Hurricane Preparedness Week is approaching, scheduled for May 4-10. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services is urging residents to prepare for the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30, with a peak in September.
The community is advised to take several steps in anticipation of potential hurricanes. It’s recommended that residents familiarize themselves with their flood risk by visiting StormWater.CharMeck.org and using the 3D Flood Zone tool. Flooding can affect areas beyond designated floodplains.
Flood insurance is also emphasized. Traditional homeowner and renter insurance policies do not cover flooding. However, the National Flood Insurance Program offers protection for all, and Charlotte residents are eligible for discounts due to an improved Community Rating System designation.
Residents are encouraged to sign up for CharMeck Alerts for emergency information, including flood updates. Keeping informed through the National Weather Service, National Hurricane Center, and local media is crucial.
Planning for evacuation is also recommended, ensuring that families know where to go if they must leave their homes.
Despite the high winds and outages hurricanes bring, flooding presents the greatest challenge in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. Six inches of rushing water is enough to knock a person down, and a foot of water can move a vehicle.
The significant damage from Hurricanes Debby and Helene last year underlines the need for preparation. Hurricane Debby brought historic rain in August, flooding creeks and streams. This was followed by Hurricane Helene in September, which damaged around 170 homes in the Catawba River floodplain, leaving about 46 homes irreparable and resulting in three fatalities in Mecklenburg County.
Previous storms, including Hurricanes Ian in 2022 and Florence in 2018, have also impacted the area with high winds, flooding, and power outages.
