March 2 – 8, 2025, is Severe Weather Preparedness Week in North Carolina. Severe weather can include tornadoes, thunderstorms, floods, high winds, and winter weather. Some of these types of disasters can occur without much warning.
We’ve compiled resources and tips below to help you and your church prepare for severe weather. We also encourage you to attend a Connecting Neighbors training to learn how to prepare your congregants, church, and community. Check out our Preparation page for more resources.
Creating a Plan & Emergency Kit
No matter what disaster occurs, having a disaster plan and an emergency kit is essential. Preparing now while the “skies are blue” can help alleviate the stress of gathering important documents and information before a storm arrives.
Make sure to have a list of your emergency contacts and copies of important documents, discuss a communication plan with your family and congregation, and know where emergency shelters are in your area. Also, stay connected to the latest weather updates and information from emergency officials. For more information on emergency alerts, visit readync.org or ncdps.gov.
Visit the American Red Cross, FEMA, or ReadyNC websites for a list of items to include in your kit.
Download a church disaster plan template→
Watch a bilingual video from NC State Extension on developing a family plan in case of emergencies→
Preparing Your Property & Insurance
Remove loose items outside your home and weatherize the building to protect it from storm damage.
Also, check to see if your insurance plan is active and what your policy covers. Conducting an inventory of the building before a storm can be helpful if you have to submit claims for storm damage.
Additional Resources by Topic
Thunderstorms
- American Red Cross
- National Weather Service: Lightning, Thunderstorms
- Ready.gov
- ReadyNC
Downloadable Resources
Tips on Preparing for a Disaster→
Tips on Recovering After a Storm→
Church Disaster Response Plan Template→
What to Do When Disaster Strikes (PDF)→
NC Volunteers Active in Disaster (VOAD)’s Preparation Checklist for Older Adults→
Preparation Checklist for Older Adults (Spanish Translation)→
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance company for more information.