Hurricane Season begins today, June 1, and it’s important to prepare your family and home. Predictions for 2026 reflect an average to below-average activity in the Atlantic basin due to El Nino effects in the Pacific.
North Carolina State University experts predict a season that reflects recent averages of 12-15 named storms developing in the Atlantic. It’s important to note that those forecasts do not predict hurricane landfall, only the development of strong storms.
Click here to read NC State experts’ prediction.
It only takes one storm to cause incredible damage. That is why preparation is key.
Develop an Evacuation Plan
When developing your plan, keep in mind you don’t need to travel hundreds of miles away. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says you can go to a friend or family member’s home that is well built and with higher elevation. Learn more about how to develop your evacuation plan at ready.gov.
Assemble Disaster Supplies
Assembling disaster supplies are a necessity. NOAA recommends having enough non-perishable food, water, and medicine to last for three days for each person in the household. Take a detailed look at how to build your emergency disaster kit at https://www.ready.gov/kit.
Get an Insurance Checkup
Call your insurance company and make sure you have enough insurance to repair or replace your home and belongings should they become damaged during the hurricane season. Check out the Homeowner’s Insurance Guide to Natural Disasters published by the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) to learn more.
Create a Communication Plan
Write down your hurricane plan and share it with the people in your household. Make sure everyone knows where to meet and have a list of emergency contacts, including GUC, on that list.
Our Emergency Hotline, 1-855-767-2482, is always available to give you a quick and easy way to let us know if you are having a utility-related emergency. If you call from or know the account number associated with your account, the call will go right into our response system.
Get a text! Our text notification system is designed to let you know around the clock about power outages that may affect you. If your cell phone number is listed on your GUC account, you are enrolled automatically. Want to make sure? Log in to Your Account online at guc.com and update the contact information in your User Profile. You can also use our online chat or call us at 252-752-7166.
Strengthen Your Home
Prepare your home for hurricanes, as well. NOAA encourages you to trim trees, install storm shutters, and/or impact glass, and seal outside wall openings. If you are a renter, work with your property management or landlord to help prepare.