GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Though we don't know where Hurricane Florence will be making landfall yet, North Carolina Emergency Management says the Triad should prepare for the worst, but hope for the best.
WFMY News 2 spoke with NC Emergency Management Director Michael Sprayberry. He says this could be a life-threatening storm.
"It's going to be a very dangerous storm for everybody, not just the coastal counties, but it's gonna push along inland as well, we don’t know the exact track but everybody needs to be prepared."
Inland flooding could be a major concern.
"I think the big message we have here is folks along the coast and all the counties need to be careful of coastal storm surge we think that’s going to be a big issue, a life-threatening issue. We also believe there’s gonna be a significant amount of riverine flooding, it will be caused by large amounts of precipitation so when you put these two together and then you overlay dangerously high winds, it's not good." - Michael Sprayberry
Emergency Management recommends you make an emergency kit. Also:
- Know several routes to leave your home
- Fill your tank with gas
- Go to the ATM and make sure you have cash with you
- Make a list of nearby shelters
WFMY News 2 stopped by several grocery stores in the Triad. A lot of them had empty shelves already.
Home repair expert Tom Garcia says you should clear your yards now.
"One of the things we need to worry about if the storm comes our way are high winds," Garcia said. "Simple things such as lawn chairs that’s an easy one think about that lawn chair its gotta go inside."
Garcia said you should take in anything that's not bolted to the ground.
"Other things you might not think about maybe you got some cushions on outdoor furniture you know you’re going to take those cushions in, but you think this is pretty heavy but that’s not necessarily the case because most outdoor furniture is hollow and you can imagine if this tips over enough the wind will pick it up and off it goes into a window or whatever else."