Prepare for a Natural Disaster - Carolina Center for Public Service

Navy cyclone tracker for hurricane dorian — Hurricane Dorian Sept. 3, 2019. Visit the National Hurricane Center for up-to-date information. Image credit: U.S. Naval Research Lab

Whenever disasters strike—in North Carolina, the United States or around the world—Carolina students, faculty and staff immediately ask, “What can we do to help?”

But before responding to the aftermath of a disaster, we must first ask, “What can we do to prepare?”

Preparation Resources

For those living on or near campus, be sure your cell phone is registered for Alert Carolina. In an emergency, the University will post safety-related announcements at this website, along with informational updates and other resources. Instructions on how to register for text message alerts are on the Alert Carolina webpage.
Find practical preparation tips at ready.gov.
For NC-specific preparation guidance, visit ReadyNC.
The N.C. Department of Public Safety provides hourly storm updates at Hurricane Watch.
You can also track hurricanes via the National Hurricane Center.
One great way to prepare yourself to be effective in future disaster response is to sign up for Gillings on the Ground, a free, six-week “mini-course” to develop skills needed to work with communities in disaster preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation.