State leaders are stressing the importance of preparation for residents and themselves as hurricane season begins this weekend. Forecasters say the 2013 Atlantic storm season could be another busy one.
Their prediction of up to 20 named storms could surpass last year's 19. North Carolina leaders stood along with Governor Pat McCrory to say now is the time for everyone to prepare for whatever may come.
"The most responsible part of that team are the individuals," McCrory says. ."The individual families that have ready supplies in their home in case of emergency."
The governor says extra food, water, medications and cash can help get you through. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has suggestions on what should be in a storm survival kit.
Public Safety Secretary Kieran Shanahan is looking beyond just the coastal region.
"In particular, Gulf Coast hurricanes that bring torrential rains to our mountains have triggered major landslides and we've already had a few landslides in the state this year," Shanahan says.
Hurricane season begins June 1st and runs through the end of November.
