RALEIGH - Storms and natural disasters can hit at any time but are you prepared? According to Tim Manning, FEMA deputy administrator, likely not, since a majority of Americans have done no planning for what to do during a storm.

"Roughly 80 percent of Americans live in an area that's been affected by a natural disaster in the past few years, and that number is probably 100 percent in North Carolina," Manning says. "But something like 60 percent of the public have done nothing. And we're trying to change that."

Manning says planning for a storm is something a family can do quickly and easily.

"It could be something as simple as a conversation over dinner tonight: What to do, where would we evacuate if we had to evacuate, where are our important papers, how would we reconnect if we weren't together when an evacuation order happened," Manning says. "And then practice it with a simple drill. It's not that hard and it can make all the difference."

And Manning says if a family develops a good plan, it can be used for any scenario.

"When we talk about getting ready for an emergency or disaster, the cause of the emergency really doesn't matter as much as the common things you do for all of them," he says. "What you do to prepare for a flood, an earthquake, or a hurricane coming up the coast are all very similar."

Manning says, when preparing, the things people often forget are having secure food and water and keeping important documents safe and dry.

"Have your records in a place that won't be damaged," he says. "Have copies available such as a digital copy. Email encrypted versions of images to yourself. These are copies of your insurance paperwork, your deed or lease, your marriage license. The kinds of things that you can't replace and you need in the middle of a crisis."

For more information and tips on how to plan, Manning recommends going to Ready.gov.