Prepare for hurricane season this summer and for possible damaging storms throughout the year.

Hurricane season starts June 1, with peak activity typically mid-August to late October. The Hillsborough area could be significantly damaged by a large storm with high winds and several inches of rain. Power outages, flooding and flash flooding are concerns. 

"May is the perfect time to get ready for tropical storms and severe weather," said Assistant Police Chief Andy Simmons, the town’s lead on emergency management response. "Being prepared by creating an emergency plan and assembling a supply kit can make a big difference."

Personal Preparations

When a large disaster happens, outside assistance typically is not available immediately. It is important for households to be able to provide for themselves for at least three days. This includes food and clean drinking water.

See the How to Create an Emergency Water Supply page from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for instructions on preparing and storing an emergency drinking water supply for your household. It is recommended that you store enough water for at least 1 gallon of water per person per day and also a supply of water for your pets.

See the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Build a Kit page for a complete list of items suggested for a disaster supplies kit. 

Town Information

Check out these resources that can be helpful to you before, during and after weather events.  

Ready Hillsborough — On this page, the town provides preparedness resources, key contacts and information on how to report a problem.

Storm Resources — This page summarizes town preparations and operations. It also provides reminders and resources for personal preparations and a list of local roads that typically flood.  

OC Alerts — This emergency notification service enables water and sewer customers to be notified about water or sewer outages and emergencies. It also provides notifications about other emergency incidents in your area. When registering on the Everbridge platform, select Hillsborough water and sewer alerts under the Community Alerts section of the registration. Orange Water and Sewer Authority provides service to the Carrboro-Chapel Hill area.

Water Advisories and Notices — The Emergency Alerts page provides information about the various advisories and notices and what to do. It also shows when a Hillsborough alert or Orange County alert in the Hillsborough area.

Town News — An email subscription to town news can provide you with more details from the Town of Hillsborough including any service changes. In nonemergency times, the Communications Division typically sends one news digest weekly. During a storm or other emergency event, the division emails news releases as they are posted or updated.  

Social Media — Follow the town’s @HillsboroughGov social media and Orange County social media for updates before, during and after a storm.