Triangle transplants get first taste of hurricane prep
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- The Triangle has no shortage of residents who have either been in a hurricane before or have prepared for one in the past. However, with the rapid growth of new transplants, there remains a contingency of residents who haven't the slightest idea on how to prepare.
Angelee Boyd is one of those people. Boyd is an Australia native and now lives in the Triangle. Hurricane Matthew is Boyd's first hurricane.
"We're relatively new to this whole new experience. We don't have such extreme weather (in Australia)," Boyd said. "So it's a challenge for us to just keep reading and watching the news. So we're a little bit concerned."
EMERGENCY KIT ESSENTIALS FOR HURRICANE SEASON
Alan Marquis, on the other hand, has been living in the area for 16 years and knows all about the potential impact residents face.
"It's all about common sense," he told ABC11. "You got to really pay attention to the news and watch what the emergency response people of North Carolina are telling you."
Those tips include:
- Make sure your electronic devices are fully charged
- Keep non-perishable items available
- Have plenty of bottled water packed and ready to go
- Be sure to have plenty of batteries in the event of a power outage
Utility company Duke Energy has more than 2,000 linemen working throughout the weekend making sure power lines and other infrastructure are working properly.
Duke also has advice for first-time hurricane residents.
"We encourage all of our customers to go ahead and make your emergency plans now if you need to make an evacuation plan for you and your family," said spokeswoman Meredith Archie.
READ MORE: HURRICANE INFORMATION FROM DUKE ENERGY (.pdf)
However, Hurricane Matthew's expected impact does not have the Rwayitare family on alert.
"We're not really prepared actually for this storm that is coming," Gadi Rwayitare said. "But I think we're kind of doing our part though. We stopped at Costco and are getting some stuff."
