Here is a list of links to sites, prepared by others, that may be useful:

• http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/disaster/  - very good general information site
• http://www.fema.gov/plan/index.shtm - lots of information, but kinda' hard to locate easily
• http://www.redcross.org/ - The experts!  Click on the Services tab.
• http://www.prepare.org/basic/basic.htm  - another Red Cross site, has tips for folks with disabilities
• http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/index.shtml - National Hurricane Center
• The Bradfield Farms Useful Phone Numbers list

Some reflections on dealing with the aftermath of hurricane Hugo in 1989, when we went 15 days without electricity:

• During a wind event, gather your family in an interior, windowless, room such as a bathroom, or a basement (rare in Bradfield Farms).  Don't venture out to look out a window because stuff could be blowing around and break the window's glass.
• During a rain event, monitor any nearby creeks and streams to be aware of rising water.  There are many homes in Bradfield Farms adjacent to McKee Creek that are in the 100-year flood plain. See the links at the bottom of this page.
• Electricity will probably be off, meaning that gas stations can't pump gasoline, so it's good to fill the gas tanks of your cars in advance.  The ATM machines won't work either, so get some cash when advance notice is available.  The pharmacies may not be able to fill your prescriptions without authorization from the insurance company, so try to get them filled before the power goes off.
• If you have a generator, have sufficient gasoline (safely stored) for several days. Know in advance the electricity requirements (in watts) for the devices you will want to use.  Example: coffee makers use about 1000 watts which is half of the capability of a 2500 watt generator.  Each device will have a label stating power consumption. Never plug in too many devices at once to the generator or it may burn out.  
• Stuff in the refrigerator will stay cold for a while if you don't open the door for very long.  Clean out leftovers in advance of the weather event (because they will spoil first) and know where the items in the fridge are, so you don't need to rummage around to find something.  A full fridge will stay cool longer than an empty one because of the mass of the items. Gallon jugs of water and unopened cans and jars of food items make excellent use of the empty space and won't "go bad" when the fridge warms up.
• Include "shelf milk" (comes in a heavy paper & foil carton) in your pantry that doesn't require refrigeration for storage; after it's opened, it must be used within a day or kept on ice.
• Canned goods are very useful because of the long-term storage, but be sure that you have a hand-operated can opener.
• If you have a gas grill, get an extra canister of propane so you can heat water and cook food. Never use the grill indoors because of carbon monoxide poisoning, and always keep the grill at least ten feet away from anything that may burn.
• Obtain some long-burning candles, preferably the type that is in a jar to help contain the melted wax.  Never leave a burning candle unattended or in the reach of small children. Oil-burning lamps with an adjustable wick are also good.
• Your pantry should contain some bottled water, enough for two quarts per person per day for 3 or 4 days.  If the electricity is off, the 250,000 gallon Bradfield Farms water tank will gravity-feed our homes for several days if we are careful and conserve water, but the well pumps won't be working to refill the water tank.
• Events with ice or winds always drop trees or their limbs.  Take precautions to ensure that no electricity is involved with a downed tree before working with it.  This is not a big problem inside Bradfield Farms because the distribution wires to our homes are underground.  Getting electricity to Bradfield Farms usually comes by overhead wires, which may be a hazard depending on your home's location.
• Gather documents that are important to you (birth certificates, insurance policies, marriage licenses, photos, wills, living wills, powers of attorney, phone numbers, etc.) and place them in some waterproof containers that can be moved quickly, if necessary.
• If the electricity is off for an extended time over a widespread area, unplug all of your electronic equipment.  The electrical surge when the power is restored can ruin them.  Wait several hours to see if the power stays on and stops fluctuating as other areas get their power back.
• If our portion of the county experiences heavy rainfall over a 24-48 hour period, the likelihood of flooding along McKee Creek is a very real possibility.  Mecklenburg County revised the Flood Zone Maps in 2003, as required by law, and the elevation of the 100-year flood water was raised, due to all of the new development in the McKee Creek watershed. 
• These links will show the Flood Zone Maps. BF South End Map     BF North End Map.  Flood Plain addresses  or you can go to the county's interactive website to look up additional information: http://maps.co.mecklenburg.nc.us/website/floodzone/map.aspx