Atlantic Hurricane Season Begins in North Carolina

Governor Josh Stein said on June 1 that North Carolina had entered the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season and urged residents to make plans before any storm threatens the state. State emergency officials paired that message with practical steps: build supply kits, review flood and home insurance, secure key documents and know local evacuation routes. The season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, and the state’s warning was aimed at both coastal counties and inland communities that have seen storm damage from flooding and wind. NOAA has forecast a below-normal Atlantic season, but state officials said one storm can still cause statewide disruption. ### What exactly changed on June 1? June 1 marked the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season, according to Governor Stein’s office and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety. Stein said residents should have a plan in place in case tropical weather affects the state this year. Josh Stein said in the state release that “hurricane season brings real uncertainty for families across the state” and urged North Carolinians to make a plan now to keep themselves and their families safe. (governor.nc.gov) NC Emergency Management Director Will Ray said preparation should happen before a storm impacts the state. ### What are officials telling people to do now? North Carolina emergency officials said residents should assemble emergency kits with nonperishable food and water for three to seven days, medications and a battery-powered or hand-crank radio that can receive NOAA Weather Radio. The state also told households to account for babies, older adults, people with disabilities and pets when building plans and supplies. (governor.nc.gov) Will Ray said residents should create evacuation plans, secure important documents in waterproof containers and check insurance policies to confirm they have proper coverage. Jeff Smythe, the state public safety secretary, said flood insurance deserves special attention because it is not usually included in standard homeowners policies. (governor.nc.gov) ### Why are evacuation zones and alerts getting so much attention? The Department of Public Safety said people in eastern North Carolina should know their evacuation zone before a storm approaches. The agency also urged residents statewide to keep multiple ways to receive warnings, including phone weather-alert apps, NOAA Weather Radio and local news outlets. (governor.nc.gov) WCTI-TV’s local report on the season’s opening echoed that message, saying Stein encouraged residents to make emergency plans before severe weather and pointed viewers to evacuation-zone information and hurricane preparedness resources. ### If forecasts are below normal, why are state officials still pressing preparedness? NOAA said on May 21 that it expects a 55% chance of a below-normal Atlantic season, with 8 to 14 named storms, 3 to 6 hurricanes and 1 to 3 major hurricanes. (governor.nc.gov) Stein’s office cited that outlook but said North Carolina knows “it takes only one storm” to affect communities across the state. (wcti12.com) North Carolina State University meteorologists separately projected 2 to 15 named storms, 6 to 9 hurricanes and 2 to 3 major hurricanes, while Colorado State University’s forecast gave North Carolina a 54% storm chance, according to the Department of Public Safety. Those forecasts were included in the state’s Hurricane Preparedness Week guidance in late April. ### What is the state doing before a storm forms? (noaa.gov) The State Emergency Response Team has been reviewing lessons from earlier storms, updating response procedures, meeting with local, federal, private-sector and nonprofit partners and running exercises ahead of the season, according to Stein’s office. The governor’s June 1 statement said the team also held a statewide hurricane exercise on May 20 and May 21. (ncdps.gov) State officials said those preparations are continuing even as they ask residents to take their own steps at home. Ray said the emergency management team continues to train year-round for rapid response and resident safety. ### Where do residents go from here? ReadyNC.gov is the state’s main public site for hurricane and emergency preparedness information, according to the Department of Public Safety. (governor.nc.gov) The Atlantic hurricane season runs through Nov. 30, and officials said residents in eastern North Carolina should also check Know Your Zone before any evacuation order is issued. (ncdps.gov)