FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – September marks Preparedness Month in North Carolina. The Cumberland County Emergency Services Department encourages residents and businesses to be prepared for any disaster by reviewing emergency plans and updating emergency supply kits.
Residents can engage in preparedness by creating an emergency plan and practicing it with their loved ones. A plan greatly improves the chances of surviving a disaster. Plans should include a place to go in the event evacuation becomes necessary. While Cumberland County emergency shelters will operate based on the anticipated impact, staying with friends, family, or in a hotel located in a safe zone may be more comfortable. For information about emergency shelters and resources, residents may refer to the Cumberland County Emergency Services webpage.
Cumberland County officials encourage residents, schools and business owners to make an emergency plan and practice it routinely with staff or employees. The plan should include details about where to meet, how to get in touch with one another, evacuation routes and post-emergency procedures.
Recent events, such as Tropical Strom Debby, remind us of the importance of being proactive and prepared. It is recommended that emergency supplies be up-to-date and include enough to last three to seven days without assistance. For assistance with writing a plan, building an emergency kit, and more emergency preparedness information, visit ReadyNC.gov.
County residents are encouraged to sign up for the Cumberland Alerts - Emergency Notification System which enables officials to provide residents with critical information related to incidents such as severe weather, evacuations, and protective actions. By signing up, time-sensitive alerts will be sent to the specific contact (home, mobile or business phone) email and text. In addition to Cumberland Alerts, other resources include the FEMA app, ReadyNC.gov website, and the MyCCNCGov mobile application which can be found in the iTunes and Google Play application stores.
For more information about Cumberland County Emergency Services, visit cumberlandcountync.gov/emergencyservices or call 910-321-6736.