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Every year, North Carolina residents face the threat of a potentially catastrophic storm. Hurricanes bring heavy rainfall and prolonged, battering winds.

By planning ahead and preparing for the worst, you can keep your family safe this hurricane season. This includes gathering necessary supplies and having a trusted contractor in mind in case your home suffers damage.

While severe weather events often bring people together, some people use this opportunity to take advantage of those in need. Do not wait until a hurricane is on the horizon. Take action early so that you will be ready when disaster strikes.

Develop a Plan

Staying safe this hurricane season all starts by making a detailed plan for your family. You should prepare necessary supplies, such as:

• Non-perishable food items
• Medical supplies
• Drinking water
• Batteries for flashlights
• Personal and hygiene items
• Fire extinguisher
• Important documents such as IDs and insurance cards

Generally, you should have enough food and water to last for one week. You should also ensure that you have fuel for a generator, if you have one.

One of the biggest mistakes that you can make is to wait until the last minute to gather your supplies. You will find yourself contending with huge crowds and may not be able to get the items that you need.

Track the Storm

Part of your planning process should involve closely tracking the projected storm path. Since impending storms are monitored around the clock, you can get updates anytime.

While you are tracking, it is important to understand the difference between a watch and a warning. A hurricane watch means that conditions are possible within 48 hours. A hurricane warning is a more serious notice and means that sustained hurricane-force winds will arrive within 36 hours.

You should also be on the lookout for potential evacuation notices for your area. If your home is going to be in the direct path of a powerful hurricane, evacuation may be necessary.

You should have a list of nearby shelters and have your car fully fueled up at all times. Have your bags packed with personal items, clothing, food, and water. When the evacuation notice is given, you will be ready to load up your family and proceed safely to the designated location.

Avoid Scams

After the dust has settled, you will hopefully find that your home was unharmed by the hurricane. However, many homeowners are not so fortunate. If you find that your home was damaged, then you will likely need the services of a licensed contractor.

As you seek repairs, you can take a few simple steps to protect yourself from scammers. If your project is quoted at $30,000 or more, then you will need a licensed general contractor. You should always verify that a contractor is licensed before hiring them.

You can do this by conducting a query on the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors webpage. You can search by “Licensee” or “Qualifier.” The licensee is the actual contractor that you are searching for and the qualifier will be the business name.

Any work to be done should be clearly defined in a written contract. This will include vital details such as the materials being used, the payment schedule, and what is being repaired.

If you are a contractor that is performing post-hurricane repairs, you should ensure that your licensing is up-to-date and in compliance with NC laws. The BCLBGC does not honor licenses from other states, so you must obtain a NC license before beginning a project.

If you are interested in obtaining a North Carolina contractor’s license to aid in hurricane-relief efforts, RocketCert can help! We offer flexible online courses that you can use to obtain your license quickly. We have a “No Pass, No Pay Guarantee” and promise to beat any competitor’s pricing.