We are moving into the holiday seasons. And, with the fun of the holidays, we are usually brought worse weather. When bad weather happens, whether it be a hurricane or winter storms, it can close roads and leave you feeling pretty trapped... A lot of that is unavoidable. If your radio or news stations are telling you to stay home, it is definitely best that you do. Traveling when it is advised against is very dangerous, and can put your life at risk.
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But, what about when some of the warnings have lifted? Depending on your area, there can still be many roads with downed trees and unsafe conditions. It's important to know how you are going to get to your destination safely.. before you leave. It's good to keep your car packed with things you might need, and plan your route ahead of time. Then, you'll be ready once you get the go-ahead from your local government that it's okay to get back on the roads.
First step: Check to make sure the roads are open. There's a great government site that's kept up-to-date with all of the road closings in North Carolina. It is an extremely valuable resource. It's drivenc.gov Click the link, or go to the site, to plan out your route to get to your destination.
Next: Make sure your vehicle has everything you might need in case of an emergency. Here's a checklist to get you started.
It's very important that you know how to use the items you have. If you don't know how to use them, when you are in an emergency they could be even harder to figure out. This checklist is just a good starting point. Do more research and see if there's more things that you'd feel comfortable having in case of an emergency. Things like a small shovel could be very handy. But, maybe you'd like a collapsible one if you have a smaller vehicle. Having some sort of carrying case for your emergency items is a good idea. If you are in an accident, you don't want loose items flying all over your vehicle!
What happens if you're already on the road when the storms start coming through? Find a safe place to pull over. Depending on the situation, you may want to look for higher ground or a parking garage to wait things out in. Stay inside your vehicle and listen to the radio for any weather updates that may come through. Avoid flooded areas, and NEVER attempt to drive through a flooded road.
Storms can be scary! But, if you are prepared with the right kind of knowledge, you can feel confident that you have what it takes to stay safe.
For all of you recovering from Hurricane Helene, check out my Hurricane Resource guide:
https://hendersonville.macaronikid.com/guides/670195e6ca9c2279837397b6/hurricane-helene-recovery-news-and-resources
