Governor Beverly Perdue along with the National Hurricane Center (NHC) and National Weather Service (NWS) have declared May 23-29 as North Carolina's Hurricane Preparedness Week. A link to the National Hurricane Center's Preparedness Week webpage is listed below along with links to daily statements issued by the NWS Raleigh Office. You can find a number of new products provided by the National Hurricane Center including new storm surge forecast tools and various GIS based products. The lead time for Hurricane and Tropical Storm Watches and Warnings will also be extended out in time by 12 hours due to the continued increase in storm track prediction.

National Hurricane Center Hurricane Preparedness Week website

National Weather Service Raleigh Office

Hurricane Statement - Sunday

Hurricane Statement - Monday

Hurricane Statement - Tuesday

Hurricane Statement - Wednesday

Hurricane Statement - Thursday

Hurricane Statement - Friday

Hurricane Statement - Saturday

The safest place to be during high winds is indoors. Postpone outdoor activities if a wind advisory or high wind warning has been issued.

If you are caught outside during high winds:

• Take cover next to a building or under a shelter.
• Stand clear of roadways or train tracks, as a gust may blow you into the path of an oncoming vehicle.
• Use handrails where available on outdoor walkways and avoid other elevated areas such as roofs without adequate railing.
• Watch for flying debris. Tree limbs may break; awnings and street signs may become loose during strong wind gusts.  Keep an eye toward nearby balconies for loose objects that may fall.

• Call for help. Report downed lines to your local utility emergency center and to the police. Do not try to free lines or to remove debris yourself.
• Avoid anything that may be touching downed lines, including vehicles or tree branches. Puddles and even wet or snow-covered ground can conduct electricity in some cases. Warn others to stay away.
• If you see someone who has been shocked who may be in direct or indirect contact with a power line, do not try to touch them. You may become a second victim. Get fire and medical attention as quickly as possible by calling 911.
• If a line falls on your car, stay inside the vehicle. Take care not to touch any of the metal frame of your vehicle.  Honk your horn, roll down the window and warn anyone who may approach of the danger. Call or have someone call 9-1-1. Do not exit the car until help arrives and advises you to do so, unless the vehicle is on fire. To exit, open the door, but do not step out. Jump, without touching any of the metal portions of the car's exterior, to safe ground and get quickly away.

• Keep both hands on the wheel and slow down.
• Watch for objects blowing across the roadway and into your path.
• Keep a safe distance from cars in adjacent lanes as strong gusts could push a car outside its lane of travel.
• Take extra care in a high-profile vehicle such as a truck, van, SUV, or when towing a trailer, as these are more prone to be pushed or even flipped by high wind gusts.
• If winds are severe enough to prevent safe driving, get onto the shoulder of the road and stop, making sure you are away from trees or other tall objects that could fall onto your vehicle. Stay in the car and turn on the hazard lights until the wind subsides.