North Carolina hurricane guide¶
North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM), part of the Department of Public Safety, coordinates the state's hurricane response, but evacuation orders come from local officials. In 21 coastal counties, evacuations are ordered by zone, so look up your zone before a storm. Start with your county page, and use these statewide services for shelter information, insurance, price gouging, and disaster benefits. For help at any hour, dial 211 from anywhere in North Carolina.
Checked on October 2, 2026
Every phone number and web address on this page was checked against official sources on that date. Details can change, especially during a storm. Always follow instructions from North Carolina Emergency Management. In a life threatening emergency, call 911.
Counties¶
Choose your county. Each county page has its emergency numbers, evacuation zones, and shelters, and lists its cities and towns.
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More places are on the way. Until yours is listed, see the official sources page or call 211.
Emergency and information numbers¶
| Service | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NC 211 | 211 | Free help finding shelter, food, and services, day or night. From outside North Carolina, call 888-892-1162. |
| Road and traffic conditions (511) | 511 | Road closures and travel conditions. From outside North Carolina, call 877-511-4662. Overnight and during emergencies, NCDOT asks you to check DriveNC.gov instead. For help on the road, dial HP (47) from a mobile phone to reach the State Highway Patrol. |
| Coastal Property Insurance Pool and FAIR Plan claims | 800-662-7048 | For policyholders of the North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association (Coastal Property Insurance Pool) or the FAIR Plan. You can also report a loss online or through your insurance agent. |
| North Carolina Emergency Management office | 919-825-2500 | Office line. Not for emergencies. |
Official alerts and information¶
- County emergency alert sign-up: Many counties and towns offer free alerts by phone or email. NCEM's list gives every county emergency management office's phone number and, for many counties, a link to sign up. Sign up before a storm. Website.
- Know Your Zone: Look up your evacuation zone by address. Zones are set in 21 coastal counties. Zone A usually leaves first, then Zone B, and so on, but local officials decide which zones must leave. Website.
- ReadyNC: NCEM's official preparedness site, with open shelters, evacuation orders, evacuation routes, and road conditions during a storm. Website.
Statewide resources¶
- North Carolina Emergency Management: Statewide updates, evacuation information, and preparedness guides. Website.
- Evacuation Orders: ReadyNC's list of evacuation orders issued by local governments during a storm. Website.
- Evacuation Routes (NCDOT): Coastal evacuation route maps from the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Website.
- DriveNC.gov: Live road closures and traffic from NCDOT. Website.
- North Carolina Hurricane Guide: ReadyNC's printable hurricane guide, with steps for before, during, and after a storm. A Spanish version is on the ReadyNC hurricane page. Website.
- Contractor license check (North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors): Check a license before you hire anyone for repairs. Website.
Evacuation centers¶
Open only when announced
Evacuation centers open only when officials announce them, and not every center opens for every storm. Check the official list of open centers before you leave home. Bring your own bedding, food, water, and medicines.
Shelters open only when officials announce them. During a storm, ReadyNC lists the emergency shelters that are open, or you can call 211 or check your county page. A shelter should be your last resort: if you can, stay with family or friends in a safe area, or at a hotel. Many counties can set up pet shelters when they open shelters for people, but pets are kept away from the living areas, so bring a crate or carrier, food, and supplies.
Official list of open evacuation centers
Help to evacuate¶
- Your county emergency management office: If you have a disability or medical need, or no way to leave, ReadyNC asks you to contact your county emergency management office before a storm, tell them what you need, and ask what help they can give. Some counties keep a registry; see your county page. Website.
After the storm: help for displaced residents¶
If your home is damaged or you cannot go back, these organizations help with shelter, food, money, and paperwork. Many programs open only after a disaster declaration, so check their pages for current status.
Housing and shelter¶
- Renew NC (Hurricane Helene housing recovery): Home repair and rebuilding after Hurricane Helene in 29 western counties, run by the North Carolina Department of Commerce. Applications for the home repair and small rental programs are closed. Call with questions about the program. Phone: 888-791-0207. Website.
Money, work and insurance¶
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance: For people who lose work because of a declared disaster, run by the North Carolina Division of Employment Security. Apply within 60 days of the date the division announces that your county is covered. For help in Spanish, call 919-276-5698. Phone: 919-629-3857. Website.
Legal help¶
- Legal Aid of North Carolina Helpline: Also written 1-866-219-LANC. Free civil legal help for low-income residents of all 100 counties, including problems after a disaster with housing, insurance, benefits, and contractors. Apply by phone, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday to Friday, or apply online. Phone: 1-866-219-5262. Website.
Emotional support¶
- Hope4NC Helpline: Free, confidential support at any hour for people recovering from Hurricane Helene, from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Phone: 1-855-587-3463. Website.
Scams, contractors and price gouging¶
- North Carolina Department of Insurance: Free help with insurance claims and disputes. Phone: 855-408-1212. Website.
- Price gouging (North Carolina Department of Justice): Also written 1-877-5-NO-SCAM. Report price gouging during a declared state of emergency. From outside North Carolina, call 919-716-6000. Phone: 1-877-566-7226. Website.
Related guides¶
- Should I evacuate?
- What to expect at a hurricane shelter
- Hurricane supply list
- After a hurricane: the first 24 hours
- Insurance claims and disaster aid
Sources¶
Checked on October 2, 2026. If a number or address here is wrong, please tell us at Keith@KMyers.me.
- https://nc211.org/about/
- https://www.ncdot.gov/travel-maps/traffic-travel/511-information/Pages/default.aspx
- https://www.ncjua-nciua.org/html/storm.htm?thistype=storm_policyholder==
- https://www.ncdps.gov/our-organization/emergency-management/contact-nc-emergency-management
- https://www.readync.gov/stay-informed/emergency-alerts
- https://www.ncdps.gov/our-organization/emergency-management/emergency-preparedness/know-your-zone
- https://www.readync.gov/
- https://www.ncdps.gov/our-organization/emergency-management
- https://www.readync.gov/stay-informed/evacuation-orders
- https://www.ncdot.gov/travel-maps/maps/Pages/evacuation-routes.aspx
- https://www.readync.gov/plan-and-prepare/hurricane-guide
- https://www.readync.gov/stay-informed/beware-scammers
- https://www.readync.gov/stay-informed/open-shelters
- https://www.readync.gov/plan-and-prepare/functional-needs
- https://www.ncdoi.gov/
- https://ncdoj.gov/file-a-complaint/price-gouging/
- https://www.des.nc.gov/need-help/faqs/disaster-unemployment-assistance-dua-faqs
- https://renewnc.org/
- https://legalaidnc.org/topic/disaster/
- https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/mental-health-developmental-disabilities-and-substance-use-services/hope4nc-helpline-1-855-587-3463