Hurricane Preparedness Week Begins: Experts urge homeowners to act now

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) — National Hurricane Preparedness Week begins next week, and experts say now is the time for homeowners to get ready ahead of the 2026 hurricane season.

The reminder comes after storms like Hurricane Helene in September 2024 brought flooding, strong winds and heavy rain across the Carolinas, damaging homes and businesses.

Sarah Dillingham, a meteorologist with the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety, said the biggest threats in the Wilmington area are high winds and prolonged rainfall, which can weaken homes—especially roofs.

“Those high winds can do damage to your home—things like damaging the siding and your roof covering,” Dillingham said.

She said roofs are often the first line of defense during a storm but can deteriorate over time, particularly asphalt shingles, which are widely used across the country.

“Maintenance and inspection are key because if you’re not maintaining your roof and ensuring you have the right protection, that first line of defense could potentially fail you when an event comes,” Dillingham said.

Experts recommend several steps homeowners can take now to reduce potential damage, including trimming trees, sealing gaps around windows and doors, and securing or bringing inside outdoor items.

“Lawn furniture, kids’ toys, even planters and other items that you have out in your yard—those can easily become projectiles in strong winds,” Dillingham said. “That’s why we advise people to bring all those items in ahead of a storm.”

Dillingham said a possible El Niño pattern could lead to a quieter hurricane season, but emphasized that it only takes one storm to cause significant damage.

The National Hurricane Center is also expected to introduce updated forecast cone graphics for the 2026 season, along with additional enhancements such as storm surge alerts for Hawaii.