From guest writer Elizabeth Schroeder, 

Durham County, it’s time to talk about hurricanes! 

My name is Elizabeth Schroeder, and I have the privilege of serving as Chief of Emergency Management for Durham County and the City of Durham.  Our team resides within the Durham County Office of Emergency Services. I wanted to take a moment to discuss the vital importance of being prepared when a big storm comes our way; it’s not a matter of if, but when. 

We ask all of you to join us next week, May 4th through May 10th, 2025, to participate in Hurricane Preparedness Week. This week is so important that it is recognized both nationally and by the state of North Carolina. With our area's susceptibility to tropical systems, such as hurricanes, it is critical that we take time every year to prepare.  Hurricane Helene was a reminder that it only takes one storm to make an impact on our community and in our lives. We recognize that there are members in our community that have a lot of experience with hurricanes and know how to prepare and stay safe. We also recognize that there are members of our community that may not have any experience with hurricanes. Hurricane Preparedness Week is a way to reinforce what each of us should do to prepare for hurricane season. It is important to remember that even areas that fall outside of the projected path or cone of the storm may still experience significant impacts.  

Each day of Hurricane Preparedness Week has a theme to help everyone prepare and stay safe during hurricane season. We will be posting on our Facebook page to share tips and information, so be sure to check it out! Sunday’s focus is “Know Your Risk: Water & Wind”; Monday is “Prepare Before Hurricane Season / Know Your Zone / Storm Surge”; Tuesday is “Understand Forecast Info / High Winds”; Wednesday is “Get Moving When a Storm Threatens / Inland Flooding”; Thursday is “Stay Protected During Storms / Tornadoes”; Friday is “Use Caution After Storms / Rip Currents”; and Saturday is “Take Action Today.” 

Last year, Hurricane Helene arrived from the Gulf Coast as a tropical storm in North Carolina, and although Durham only experienced some localized flooding and minor damage in comparison, our neighbors out west are still recovering from its impact.  Hurricane Helene caused billions of dollars in damages, contributed to more than 100 lives lost, destroyed entire towns, shut down major interstates for months, and left behind emotional trauma for its residents that may last a lifetime.  

I was incredibly moved by the outpouring of support that our Durham community gave to our neighbors. Every member of our Emergency Management team was deployed as part of the Hurricane Helene response, at least once, to serve in different parts of western North Carolina, and many other responders from Durham County EMS, the Durham County Sheriff’s Office, Durham County General Services, the Durham Fire Department, the Durham Police Department, the City of Durham Communications team, and others, responded to the call for help. Although disasters bring devastation, they also bring people together in ways that are meaningful and powerful.   

I wanted to share some reflections from my Helene deployment as some of these may resonate with you: 

1. Every deployment is unique and presents its own challenges; arrive fully prepared, with no expectations, and remain fully flexible, willing and adaptable. 

2. Every community member has a story, and it is worthwhile to take time to listen to many of them – this is where you will witness resiliency and experience the true definition of community, and this is a truly beautiful thing. 

3. It is critical to validate information directly with the source and to ensure everyone is on the same page. 

4. Always offer grace and understanding; everyone is doing the best they can. It is a privilege to not only be welcomed into a community, but to be trusted by its members to make a positive impact during your time there. 

5. Behind every individual deployed is a team of colleagues, friends, and family members who are keeping things running in your absence. 

6. You will be changed by the things you see and the people you encounter; these experiences will help shape new perspectives and will equip and encourage you to continue to improve yourself. 

7. You will make lots of new friends and connect with new colleagues and look forward to collaborating again with them in the future. 

Hurricane season officially begins on June 1 each year, and runs through November; however, hurricanes don’t always follow the rules as there have been recorded storms occurring every month on the calendar except in November and December.  

This year’s forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts 19 storms to form in 2025, nine of which will become hurricanes with four reaching Category 3 or above status. 

So, what can residents of Durham County do to prepare? Our friends at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have plenty of handy resources available to help you here and each day during Hurricane Preparedness Week, they will highlight them. 

Understand your risk from hurricanes and begin pre-season preparations now. Make sure you understand how to interpret forecasts and alerts, and know what to do before, during, and after a storm. Hurricanes can bring heavy winds, rain and even tornadoes, leading to downed trees and powerlines, power outages, flooding and damage to homes and other infrastructure. START PREPARING NOW! 

Other important things you can do to prepare are to: 

Get Connected: Sign up for Alert Durham – our emergency notification system – by visiting AlertDurham.com today! 

Make an Emergency Plan: Visit Ready.gov to assist you in this process and be sure you practice your plan with your family and neighbors. 

Stay Connected: Keep your cell phone charged and maintain a list of important phone numbers.  

Build Your Emergency Kit: Have enough supplies for your household – food, water, medications, pet supplies, etc. – in your go bag or vehicle. Remember, you may not have access to these at home for days or even weeks after a storm! 

Collect Important Documents: Make sure insurance policies and personal documents (birth certificates, passports, etc.) are up to date and that you have copies. Best practice is to maintain digital copies in a password-protected digital space! 

Understand the Difference between a Watch vs. Warning: A watch is when severe weather/hurricane is possible. A warning means that severe weather is occurring, and you need to take action to protect yourself. 

Know Your Needs and Those of Your Neighbors: Recognize if you or someone nearby may require additional assistance and identify who can help.  

Strengthen Your Home: Clean drains and gutters. Ahead of a storm, be sure to secure or bring outdoor furniture and items inside that could be impacted by wind. Cut down limbs that could fall on cars/house/etc.   

Disasters start and end at the local level. Preparedness starts at the individual level. There is no better time to prepare than now.   

Thank you, 

Elizabeth Schroeder | Chief of Emergency Management for Durham County and the City of Durham