Emergency kits and resources to be distributed in honor of National Preparedness Month
Hurricanes, tornados, flash floods – severe weather events like these have filled the news cycle over the past year. Natural disasters can strike anywhere, often with little or no warning, and it’s intimidating to imagine what may happen if you are caught unprepared.
In honor of National Preparedness Month in September, Wake County Emergency Management will host kit-building events in partnership with local Community Emergency Response Teams and emergency kit giveaways in partnership with Wake County Public Libraries. These events aim to help Wake County families be ready at a moment’s notice.
“Building a resilient and prepared community requires us to start at the individual level,” said Wake County Commissioner Shinica Thomas. “By ensuring that all Wake County families have the knowledge and supplies they need to weather the storm, we make our entire region safer and stronger.”
Event Details
Kit Building Events: Saturday, Sept. 13, 9 a.m.–noon
In partnership with Wal-Mart and Wake County Community Emergency Response Teams.
Volunteers will be stationed at several Wal-Mart store locations throughout the county with helpful information and checklists to help you shop for everything you need in an emergency kit:
- Town of Apex: 3151 Apex Peakway, Apex
- Town of Fuquay-Varina: 1051 E Broad St., Fuquay-Varina
- Town of Holly Springs: 7016 GB Alford Hwy, Holly Springs
- Town of Morrisville: 1001 Shiloh Glenn Drive, Morrisville
Kit Giveaway Events: Saturday, Sept. 27, 9 a.m.
In partnership with Wake County Public Libraries.
A limited number of free emergency kits will be available to the community at specific Wake County Public Library locations. Kits will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 9 a.m. View a list of participating libraries here.
Staying Prepared
Emergencies are inevitable; it’s not a matter of if, but when. Wake County Emergency Management officials recommend the following safety tips:
- Sign up for ReadyWake alerts. Choose to receive notifications about local emergencies via phone, text, or email.
- Build an emergency kit for your home with essentials like non-perishable food, drinking water, flashlights, medicines, and first aid supplies. Consider your children, pets, and your family’s other unique needs.
- Have a family emergency plan in place so all members feel prepared during a disaster. Helpful planning tips are available at readywake.com.
More event details, including the full list of locations, and information about National Preparedness Month is available on wake.gov.
