Preparedness is a team sport that requires a deep bench. While federal, state and local officials are crucial players in response and recovery, so many of the decisions made by you, your family, and your neighborhood can define the magnitude of an event in terms of human costs.

In many ways, we are fortunate in Tideland territory that most of our natural disasters are tropical systems that can be viewed, analyzed and prepared for days in advance. Yet even that nerve-wracking task of hurricane tracking can sometimes lead to storm fatigue or a false sense of security when comparisons are made to past storms. Please don’t be lulled into complacency especially when it comes to the Saffir-Simpson classification of storm strength. We know all too well the havoc that can be wreaked on our area by a slow moving Category 1 storm that arrives at high tide and then stalls in the Pamlico Sound.

Please avoid the hazards posed by last minute evacuations that expose both those fleeing and the public servants trying to respond to increased hazards once an event is underway.

Today I challenge you to not only prepare your own personal disaster preparedness plan, pick it apart and devise a Plan B for any step that may not come to fruition due to unforeseen circumstances.

Consider purchasing an inexpensive weather radio as an added layer to your communications plan. Learn how to use your cell phone’s satellite positioning service for emergency help in the event that cellular service goes down.

Welfare checks can be time consuming for first responders so make sure someone knows where you will be during the event so you are not presumed to be among the missing.

Have cash on hand. That may seem pretty basic, but after Hurricane Helene many evacuees encountered problems obtaining fuel because electronic payment networks were down far and wide. As technologically advanced as our society is today, it is more important than ever to remember the basics.

One member told us at a hurricane preparedness event in May that their entire family performs a drill to see how quickly they can get all their essentials together and head out the door. When time is of the essence you must be prepared to act and remove yourself from harm’s way. Your well-being matters to us.