Every minute counts before, during and after a hurricane hits. It could mean the difference between life and death.

Every minute counts before, during and after a hurricane hits. It could mean the difference between life and death.

The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox.

Every minute counts before, during and after a hurricane hits. It could mean the difference between life and death.

Hurricanes are dangerous and destructive. That’s why every minute counts before, during and after a hurricane hits. It could mean the difference between life and death.

[related id='1f23ced2-38d2-42a2-be52-16a30edda0f9' align='center'][/related]

Hurricanes can still be destructive even if you don't live near coastal areas. Hurricanes can bring powerful winds, tornadoes, heavy rainfall, storm surges, coastal and inland flooding, rip currents, and even landslides.

Download the WXII app to be aware of alerts, listen to NOAA Weather radio, or tune in to Channel 12 when there is impending severe weather.

Keep reading to find out about evacuation safety, how to get weather alerts, making a family emergency plan, supply kit must-haves, reporting power outages, flooding safety and much more.

It’s vital before a disaster occurs to make a Family Emergency Plan.

Make sure your family knows where you’ll go in an emergency, what to do to keep safe and how you’ll get in contact with them during or after a disaster. Keep a copy of it in a sealed tight waterproof container in your emergency supplies kit or another safe place where you can access it in the event of a disaster.

Here are five key questions to ask to get you started with making a family plan., according to Ready.gov

Also, consider specific needs for your household that could

You can make a family emergency plan right now!

Click on the Ready.gov to formulate a plan that will be turned into a PDF file and emailed to you!

Make sure you have a good supply of food and water to last you several days, in case you need to survive on your own after an emergency. Keep your kit in a designated place and make sure you can get to it quickly if you have to leave your home.

Here’s a list of items to build your own disaster supply kit:

Considering also adding the following items to your emergency supply kit.

Take time to safeguard critical documents that could be needed after a disaster. Be cautious about sharing personal financial information, such as your bank account number, social security number, or credit card number.

Having insurance for your home or business property is the best way to make sure you will have the necessary financial resources to help you repair, rebuild or replace whatever is damaged. Document and insure your property now.

Make sure there’s nothing that could blow around during the storm and damage your home.

Make sure you are familiar with evacuation routes. Find your evacuation route outside of North Carolina.

Make sure you know the difference between a hurricane watch or warning, plus other tropical terms to know about.

Hurricane Watch: A Hurricane Watch is issued when sustained winds of 74 mph or higher are possible within the specified area of the Watch. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the Watch is issued 48 hours in advance of the onset of tropical storm force winds.

Hurricane Warning: A Hurricane Warning is issued when sustained winds of 74 mph or higher are expected somewhere within the specified area of the Warning. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the Warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the onset of tropical storm force winds.

More people die from floods every year than tornadoes, lighting or hurricanes. On average, flooding kills 89 people each year.

Being informed and prepared before a flood happens can make the difference between life and death.

Flash floods are the No. 1 cause of weather-related deaths in the United States.

Tornadoes are possible with hurricanes as well as flooding.

Here are some safety tips from the National Weather Service.

[related id='9b8838c7-20e1-441a-b4d0-e98b13f7a249' align='center'][/related]

If you evacuated for the storm, check with officials both where you’re staying and back home before you travel.

Make sure to download the WXII 12 App, so that you can still get updates if the power goes out. You'll also have access to the latest weather alerts for your area, live streaming video, updated forecasts, breaking news and more.

WXII 12 News App: Apple devices

WXII 12 News App: Android devices

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER, FACEBOOK

WXII 12 Weather: Facebook, Twitter - @WXIIWeather

Lanie Pope: Facebook, Twitter - @Laniepope_wxii

Michelle Kennedy: Facebook, Twitter - @Michellewxii12

Jaclyn Shearer: Facebook, Twitter - @WXIIJaclyn

Brian Slocum: Facebook, Twitter - @Brianslocumwxii

Dave Aiken: Facebook, Twitter - @WeatherDave

More weather coverage: Closing and delays | Latest weather forecast | Post pictures to the uLocal North Carolina Facebook Group | Traffic information | Report closings and delays | SkyCams | Download the WXII12 News mobile app

Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.