RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- September is National Preparedness Month, and Wake County officials are urging people to take proactive steps now to be ready in case disaster strikes.

Emergency management teams focus on helping the community build affordable and practical emergency kits -- a vital step in being prepared for storms, power outages, and other unexpected events.

It's been nearly a year since Hurricane Helene caused widespread devastation across North Carolina, catching many off guard.

"We want everyone to have the materials they need at home to be prepared for a disaster and to help mitigate the impact of that disaster," said Samantha Royster, program manager for Wake County's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

Whether the threat is a hurricane, tropical storm, tornad

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