City encourages residents to be #ReadyFay

Published on March 04, 2026

Highlighting Severe Weather Preparedness Week, March 1-7 

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Fayetteville officials are encouraging residents to take part in North Carolina’s Severe Weather Preparedness Week, March 1-7, by joining the City’s #ReadyFay campaign. #ReadyFay is a preparedness campaign that encourages residents to be storm-ready and provides best practices for preparing for and responding to natural disasters.

“The best way you can protect yourself and your family from severe weather is by creating a family emergency plan, building a disaster supply kit and staying alert to local radio, television or a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration radio for information on severe weather,” Emergency Management Coordinator Laura Smith said.  

In 2025, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued 37 tornado warnings for North Carolina and recorded 16 tornado touchdowns. There were 226 flood incidents across the state. In addition, the NWS issued 682 severe thunderstorm warnings and recorded 113 large hail events and 710 damaging thunderstorm wind events. 

Officials recommend having a family emergency plan in place, so all members know where to go, who to call and what to do during a disaster. Officials also recommend staying alert by listening to weather radios that broadcast alerts from the National Weather Service. 

“The time you take now to prepare will make all the difference if and when a disaster happens,” Smith stated.  

Emergency preparedness tips, resources and other related information can be found online at FayettevilleNC.gov/ReadyFay.  

Residents are also encouraged to sign up for is Cumberland Alerts at CumberlandCountyNC.gov/Alerts. This notification system allows Cumberland County

Emergency Services to deliver important information about severe weather, evacuations and protective actions directly to residents. 

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