Get ready. Hurricane Season 2024 is predicted to be memorable – and not in a good way.
It’s crucial to prepare now for your home, family, and business.
We will cover some essential tips for hurricane preparedness in 2024, along with insights from three video segments we produced for Carolina Buzz.
So, feel free to share this with as many as possible.
But first, let’s look at what is being predicted.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts an above-normal 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. There’s an 85% chance of an above-normal season, with a range of 17 to 25 named storms. That means winds of 39 mph or higher. Of these, 8 to 13 of them are expected to be hurricanes with 4 to 7 being major hurricanes of categories 3, 4, and 5 – with winds exceeding 111 mph.
AccuWeather experts warn that the Carolinas face a “higher-than-average risk” for direct hurricane impact as well as Florida and the Gulf States.
Let’s dive into our 3 segments.
We used the experience of James Jarvis, the Executive Director for the Cape Fear Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, which covers 12 counties in Eastern North Carolina.
For our followers in South Carolina, we suggest staying connected to the Eastern SC Carolina that covers Horry County and 8 others extending all the way down to Pawleys Island and Murrells Inlet in Georgetown County. They can be reached at 843-477-0020.
First, we emphasize the importance of preparing your home and family for a potential hurricane.
- Make sure your windows and doors are secure.
- Stock up on supplies and non-perishable food, water, medications, and first aid kits.
- Prepare an emergency kit with essential supplies, including flashlights, batteries, and a portable radio.
- Trim trees and secure outdoor furniture to reduce potential hazards during high winds.
- Check insurance coverage to ensure adequate protection for your property and belongings
- For more things to check use this site
Watch here as James gives you the resources you will need to make it happen.
In the next video we talk about developing an evacuation plan.
- Familiarize yourself with local evacuation routes and shelters.
- Keep your vehicle fueled and ready for evacuation at short notice.
- Follow official instructions from local authorities and evacuate promptly if advised to do so.
- Again, use this site for evacuation help
James fills us in here.
In the third segment, James offers the Red Cross recommendations to businesses. He scares us a bit with this fact: 60% of small businesses don’t survive a major tornado or hurricane.
- Back up important data and documents.
- Secure valuable equipment and assets to minimize damage.
- Communicate with employees about business continuity plans and remote work options.
- Go to this site to prep your business
Here’s James’s take.
Another suggestion: monitoring weather updates from these two national sources:
And check in with your local news outlets and their weather teams either on TV, online, or on their apps.
In Wilmington, NC:
- WECT – Channel 6 (NBC affiliate)
- WWAY – Channel 3 (ABC affiliate)
- WILM – Channel 10 (CBS affiliate)
- WSFX – Channel 26 (FOX affiliate)
Myrtle Beach, SC:
- WMBF – Channel 32 (NBC affiliate)
- WPDE – Channel 15 (ABC affiliate)
- WBTW – Channel 13 (CBS affiliate)
- WFXB – Channel 43 (FOX affiliate)
And, of course, keep it tuned to Carolina Buzz on the free Wingding app or online.
Now if you are trying to capture hurricane video, we advise caution. It can be dangerous. But, my other show, Undercover Jetsetter, with my co-host Susan Anzalone, has some tips from past hurricanes and from our book, The TV Studio In Your Hand, on how to shoot a full TV show off the iPhone. You can see a full episode about doing your own hurricane coverage on this episode right here.
John Daly is the host of Carolina Buzz covers business and entertainment along the booming Carolina coasts. Carolina Buzz is produced by WingDing TV. Need to get your businesses story out, contact us. Yes, we’re more than video production company. We provide digital marketing that touches your audience far better than old style media. We can propel your business here and beyond the Carolinas. Call us at 843-272-1901.