Hurricane Prep Checklist for Jacksonville NC Residents

If you're new to coastal North Carolina, the rule is simple: hurricane season is real, it happens every year, and Jacksonville is in the path. Florence (2018) caused massive flooding here. Irene (2011), Bertha (1996), Fran (1996), and Floyd (1999) all landed major blows. About once every 2–4 years, Jacksonville gets a serious hit.

This guide walks you through everything you need to do before, during, and after a storm — including Camp Lejeune–specific protocols if you're active duty or live on base.

The Season

• Official Atlantic hurricane season: June 1 to November 30
• Peak activity: mid-August through late October
• Most likely landfall window for NC: early September

The North Carolina coast averages 1 named tropical system every 1–2 years and a direct major hurricane hit every 3–5 years. You will live through hurricane season if you live here long enough.

Before the Season: Get Ready Now

Insurance Check

• Homeowners or renters insurance: Verify wind and flood coverage. Standard policies often exclude flood — you need separate flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
• Wait times: NFIP policies have a 30-day waiting period. Don't try to buy on June 1.
• Photos: Take photos of every room, the exterior, and your valuables. Save them to cloud storage. You'll need them if you ever file a claim.
• Find a local agent: Browse our Jacksonville insurance agency directory for help with policies.

Home Prep

• Trim trees away from the house, especially anything overhanging the roof
• Clean gutters in early summer
• Inspect the roof — even small loose shingles fail under hurricane wind. A local roofer can do a quick inspection in spring.
• Identify your safe room — interior, no windows, ideally a closet or bathroom under stairs
• Secure outdoor furniture protocols — know where you'll move grills, planters, kids' toys when a storm is coming

Important Documents

Make a waterproof / fireproof "go bag" with copies of:

• IDs (driver's license, military ID, passport)
• Insurance policies
• Mortgage docs / lease
• Birth certificates and Social Security cards
• Marriage license
• Vehicle titles and registration
• Medical records and prescription list
• Pet vaccination records

Also: scan copies to cloud storage (Google Drive, iCloud, etc.) for triple redundancy.

The 72-Hour Supply Kit

The standard rule: be prepared to survive 3 days with no power, no running water, no stores, no help.

Water

• 1 gallon per person per day, minimum (3 gallons per person for 3 days)
• Don't forget pets
• Fill bathtubs and large containers before the storm for flushing and washing

Food

• 3 days of non-perishable food per person
• Manual can opener
• Foods that don't require refrigeration, cooking, or much water
• Bread, peanut butter, crackers, granola bars, canned soup, tuna, beef jerky, nuts
• Some comfort food (cookies, candy) — morale matters when the lights are out for 4 days

Power and Light

• Flashlights (one per person) with spare batteries
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• Portable power banks for phones (charge them now)
• Consider a small generator if you're staying in place — but read manuals, never run indoors, store fuel safely
• Candles only as backup; flashlights are safer

First Aid + Medications

• Full first aid kit
• 30-day supply of any prescription medications
• Over-the-counter: pain reliever, antihistamines, antacid
• Sunscreen and bug repellent (for after the storm cleanup)

Tools

• Multi-tool or basic toolkit
• Duct tape and plastic sheeting
• Work gloves
• Tarps (for emergency roof patching)
• Chainsaw if you have trees on your property

Communication

• Whistle (for signaling help)
• Notebook and pen
• Cash — ATMs and card readers fail when the power goes out. Have at least $200 in small bills.

Evacuation Routes from Jacksonville

If an evacuation is called, time matters. Don't wait until the highway is gridlocked.

• Primary route west: US-17 South toward Wilmington, then I-40 West to Raleigh or beyond
• Secondary route inland: NC-24 West to I-95 (Kinston, Goldsboro, then north or south on I-95)
• For coastal residents (Sneads Ferry, Surf City): Get to NC-210 fast, then to US-17 or NC-24

NCDOT runs reverse-lane operations on some routes during mandatory evacuations — pay attention to traffic news.

Camp Lejeune–Specific Protocol

If you're active duty, your unit will dictate timing:

• TCCOR (Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness) is the system you'll hear. TCCOR-5 → TCCOR-4 → TCCOR-3 → TCCOR-2 → TCCOR-1 are the escalating levels.
• TCCOR-3: Storm possible in 48 hours. Begin prep.
• TCCOR-2: Storm in 24 hours. Secure base property, command makes evacuation calls.
• TCCOR-1: Storm in 12 hours. All preparation complete. No outdoor work.
• TCCOR-Recovery: Post-storm. Damage assessment, return to work as ordered.

If you live in base housing, follow whatever evacuation guidance Lincoln Military Housing and your unit provides. Mandatory evacuations for active-duty family members do happen — don't try to ride out a Cat 3 in base housing.

Pet Prep

• Carriers for every pet
• 3 days of pet food and water
• Vaccination records (required at most shelters and pet-friendly hotels)
• Medications
• Comfort items (toy, blanket)
• Photo of you with your pet (proof of ownership if separated)
• ID tags up to date

Some emergency shelters in NC accept pets, but not all. Identify pet-friendly options inland before you need them.

During the Storm

• Stay indoors, away from windows
• Move to your safe room when winds peak
• Don't be fooled by "the eye" — it's calm but the back side of the storm hits next
• Keep phone charged but use sparingly — cell towers may be congested or down
• Listen to a NOAA weather radio for official updates

After the Storm

• Avoid floodwater. It contains sewage, debris, chemicals, snakes, and downed power lines. Don't walk in it. Don't drive through it.
• Check on neighbors, especially elderly residents
• Document damage with photos before any cleanup
• Don't use the chainsaw alone — most post-storm injuries are from cleanup, not the storm itself
• Use generators outdoors only — every year people die from carbon monoxide poisoning from indoor generator use
• Boil water until officials lift advisories

Insurance Claims

• Call your insurance company as soon as possible — they prioritize by call order
• Don't throw anything away until the adjuster sees it
• Take video, not just photos
• Keep all receipts for emergency repairs and temporary lodging
• If your home is uninhabitable, your homeowners policy usually pays for hotel and food up to a limit

Resources

• Onslow County Emergency Services: 910-455-0146
• Ready NC: readync.org for state-level evacuation info
• National Hurricane Center: nhc.noaa.gov for storm tracking
• FEMA: disasterassistance.gov for federal aid after declared disasters
• Camp Lejeune Emergency Operations: Check the base website or unit chain of command for current TCCOR status

The Bottom Line

Jacksonville has weathered every major coastal storm of the last century and rebuilt every time. With prep, you and your family come through fine. Without prep, things get dangerous fast. Make your kit in June. Update your insurance now. Have a plan with your spouse and your kids — where you go, who you call, what you grab. And when the official word comes to evacuate, go.

This is general guidance. Always follow official Onslow County, NC state, and (for active duty) Camp Lejeune instructions during an actual storm threat.