With plenty of experience with major storms, the area's emergency management directors say they are prepared for another hurricane season.

A tornado earlier this month in the Belgrade area helped sharpen emergency response in Onslow County, said Mark Goodman, director of the Onslow County Emergency Services and Homeland Security Department.

"We always learn new things from every storm event and exercise we conduct," Goodman said. "We file these in our WEB-EOC system and fix those items we can."

Goodman said his crew will be ready this season.

"In edition to our daily duties and responding to an actual tornado event, we were able to accomplish our preparation events and training evolutions as planned," he said.

Carteret County is ready as well, said Jo Ann Smith, director for Carteret County Emergency Management.

"I feel with all our new resources and programs, Carteret County Emergency Services is prepared to assist our citizens and surrounding counties in the best possible manner," she said.

Smith said the county is constantly changing and tweaking its emergency plan to fit residents' needs.

"If anyone has a special need, they need to contact us so that we can be prepared to meet those needs," she said.

Lenoir County emergency services learned a lot during the 2003 West Pharmaceutical plant explosion, said Rodger Dail, director of Lenoir County Emergency Services.

Hurricanes Fran and Floyd, in 1996 and 1999 respectively, also provided opportunities for emergency management workers to gain valuable experience in response, recovery, mitigation and preparedness efforts, Dail said.

"Our department is finally under one roof and we have an Emergency Operations Center that is current with the technology needed to handle major incidents," he said.

Stanley Kite, the director of emergency services for Craven County, said his people are well trained and prepared, but nothing stops a hurricane.

"We feel we will be capable of providing a reasonable response but the citizens make the job easier if they plan and prepare," he said.

Kite said emergency management workers in Craven County have conducted practice drills with local and state agencies, reviewed action plans and Standard Operating Procedures and participated in the shelter plan to be available to help with evacuees from inland counties.

Jo Ann Smith.

Director for Carteret County Emergency Management.

Born in Carteret County / lifetime resident.

Six months in current position with 17 years in Carteret County Emergency Services.

Best experience in a hurricane: All emergency responders (Fire/EMS, CERT) and citizens helping each other after the event.

Worst experience in a hurricane: Knowing that citizens need your help and you can't get to them to provide the needed assistance.

Advice for newcomers who have never been in a major storm: Be prepared and remember to listen to the ones who are giving you the information.

Mark Goodman.

Director of Onslow County Emergency Services and Homeland Security Department.

Born in Canton, Ohio, but grew up in Wilkes County, N.C.

Five years in current position with 32 years in the Marine Corps.

Best experience in a hurricane: Teamwork shown by County Disaster Ready Team during actual storm events, baby delivery by our E-911 center during a storm.

Worst experience in a hurricane: Determining how we will manage the bodies of those who do not evacuate in the face of a catastrophic storm event.

Advice for newcomers who have never been in a major storm: Buy a NOAA All-Hazard Radio for your home and office. Visit our county Web site for detailed hurricane season preparation information.

Lessons learned from past storms and how you think your department is prepared for this year: We always learn new things from every storm event and exercise we conduct. We file these in our WEB-EOC system and fix those items we can.

Rodger Dail.

Director of Lenoir County Emergency Services.

Born and raised in Lenoir County.

Assistant Director / fire marshal since 1999 with 28 years of experience in emergency services.

Best experience in a hurricane: Seeing how well people worked together after Hurricanes Fran and Floyd. The support people and agencies gave to each other was unforgettable. People working elbow to elbow to ensure citizens had adequate food and shelter.

Worst experience in a hurricane: Getting people out of harm's way during the flooding. The evacuation process was tedious to say the least. We also lost a citizen that tried to drive their vehicle on a flooded highway.

Advice for newcomers who have never been in a major storm: Ensure you have enough food and supplies on hand to make it a few days on your own and heed the news releases.

Stanley Kite.

Director of Emergency Services for Craven County.

Born in Washington, N.C., raised in the Vanceboro area and lived in Craven County all my life.

13 years in current position with 24 years with Craven County Emergency Services.

Best experience in a hurricane: The information that we did fairly well without significant loss of life. The success stories from the various rescue missions and evacuation missions for those individuals who made poor decisions during storms.

Worst experiences during a hurricane: When flooding during Floyd exceeded any known levels and we could not predict the level of flooding for 14 days. It was also very tragic to loose 2 lives during the event that were residents who did not have to be in the hazard but made bad personal choices.

Advice for newcomers who have never been in a major storm: Get a NOAA Weather radio with S.A.M.E technology to receive early warnings for all hazards where evacuation or shelter might be needed. Make a family plan to shelter in place or evacuate and have family kits prepared in advance of any hazard. Go to WWW.readync.org for all the necessary information you might need and check to see if you are in an area subject to storm surge or inland flooding. You do not have to see water now to have this become a real threat later. 

EOC numbers:

Craven County

252-636-6608

Onslow County

910-347-4270

Carteret County

252-728-8470

Lenoir County

252-526-6666