Hurricane Earl forecast from NOAA.
/ NOAA
While we will most likely be spared a direct impact this time, hurricane season is far from over.
Despite expert advice to stock up at the beginning of the season, it usually takes a close call for people to pay attention.
We talked to Home Depot Assistant Manager Chris Dyson back in June. The tropics were calm, the shelves were full, and people were apathetic.
"I don't think anybody's really concentrating on it. I think they're just kind of going out and enjoying the weather," Dyson said.
That was before Danielle, Earl, and Fiona began to threaten.
Helen Dehaese isn't a coastal native and has never really paid attention to what's out there spinning.
"We're kind of new at this 'cause we're from an area where we don't have hurricanes. We have tornadoes."
Others know the real dangers and work year-round to make sure things are in place: the flash lights, the batteries, the necessities, knowing evacuation plans, and having meeting points.
Robert Young of Horry County makes sure, "that the family is secure and that everybody is connected together, that you can have a way out and have a plan to get out and everybody will know where you supposed to meet at a certain time."
It's good advice because while Earl will likely miss us, it's only the beginning of September, and we've still three months to go.
Local emergency management agencies are also using Hurricane Earl as a chance to send alerts out. They're reminding all beach residents to stay alert and review their family emergency plans.
For tips on how to prepare:
Before the storm
During the storm
After the storm
