GOV. PERDUE URGES RESIDENTS/VISITORS TO BE STORM-READY AS STATE ENTERS PEAK OF HURRICANE SEASON

RALEIGH –With Hurricane Earl churning in the Carribean, Gov. Bev Perdue is reminding North Carolina residents and visitors that this is a good time to update their emergency supplies kits and plans.

“While it is still too early to tell exactly what impact Hurricane Earl will have on our state, we do know that we all bear a responsibility to ensure we are ready for any type of emergency,” said Gov. Perdue.

The Governor urges every citizen to have both emergency plans and a supplies kit ready to sustain their family for three to seven days. Emergency kits are easy to assemble, with many of the supplies coming from items already around the house. Supplies should be kept in an easy-to-carry, water-tight container, such as a large plastic trash can or sturdy cardboard box lined with plastic trash bags. Your kit should include:

¨ Copies of important documents – insurance, birth certificates, social security cards, wills, tax and bank information, list of doctors and inventory of household goods

¨ Non-perishable foods, such as canned meats, granola bars, instant soup and cereals, etc.

¨ Baby supplies: formula, bottles, pacifiers, soap, baby powder, clothing, blankets, baby wipes, disposable diapers, canned food and juices

¨ Personal hygiene items such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush and deodorant, etc.

According to the National Weather Service, Hurricane Earl is expected to remain a major hurricane for the next several days, passing very near to the North Carolina coast early Friday morning. Hurricane force winds may be possible along the Outer Banks and sounds while tropical storm force winds may be felt as far inland as Interstate 95.

North Carolina Emergency Management is monitoring Hurricane Earl and assessing staffing and equipment needs to help the counties respond to any impacts from the storm. While no resources have been prepositioned at this point, Perdue said the state is prepared to move those assets very quickly if needed.

“Hopefully this storm will move through the area quickly, so that folks planning to go to our beaches this weekend can still enjoy the long Labor Day weekend,” said Gov. Perdue. “But, above all, we want everyone to be safe.”

September is North Carolina's peak month for hurricanes. Residents and vacationers should monitor those weather forecasts and listen to NOAA Weather Radio and the local news for severe weather updates and follow any direction provided by local officials.

Gov. Bev Perdue has proclaimed September as Emergency Preparedness Month to encourage families, businesses and schools to take steps to prepare themselves for hurricanes and all other types of emergencies. In the last five years North Carolina has experienced more than 175 tornadoes, more than 5,000 severe thunderstorms, a dozen tropical systems or their remnants as well as several blizzards, ice storms and heat waves. The governor's proclamation of Emergency Preparedness Month coincides with National Preparedness Month, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and held each September to encourage Americans to prepare for emergencies.

A new video entitled “Be Prepared, Be Safe” examines why it is so important for individuals and communities to be ready for any type of disaster. The video – and and other information about planning for disasters of any kind – is available at the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety Web site under the Division of Emergency Management at www.nccrimecontrol.org and www.readync.org. Emergency preparedness information is available in Spanish at www.listonc.org.