UPDATE 9/03/19: Due to the threat to Hope Mills posed by Hurricane Dorian, the Food Truck Rodeo has been moved to Thursday, Sept. 12, from 5-8 p.m.

Hope Mills has taken its share of punishment from hurricanes in recent years, so town officials have scheduled an event to help citizens prepare for the worst should one or more strike again this season.

As part of the Thursday, Sept. 5, Food Truck Rodeo in Hope Mills, a hurricane preparedness event has been arranged in cooperation with the local Community Emergency Response Team.

The food truck rodeo will take place this Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the outdoor basketball courts at Hope Mills Municipal Park on Rockfish Road. 

Nearly all of the vendors on hand for the event will be oriented toward dealing with issues involving hurricane awareness. 

Chancer McLaughlin, development and planning administrator for the town, said many of the vendors will be able to provide citizens attending the event information on how to deal with issues they might encounter when a hurricane strikes.

Here are some questions that the experts at the food truck rodeo will help answer.

How much bleach is needed to purify water?

What is a survival flash drive and where should you store it?

How do you operate a generator?

How do you stop bleeding?

What smartphone apps are best to have in an emergency situation?

What steps need to be taken during a water advisory?

Other topics that will be covered include how to pack a so-called “go bag” along with on-site training in CPR.

Vendors with specific information involving hurricane situations will include the American Red Cross, the Public Works Commission and the Salvation Army.

As always, the food truck rodeo will be collecting nonperishable food items to support the ALMS HOUSE in Hope Mills.

The event isn’t just about hurricane preparedness, it’s also about having a fun evening out with the family and enjoying the variety of eating options at the food trucks.

Special musical guest for the evening will be a jazz band called Rah’s Illuminated 1’s.

Miller Motte College will be on hand to share information about its programs and offer free massages.

A wide assortment of food trucks will be present, including Doug’s NC Barbecue, Big T’s, Nannie’s Famous, Chef Glen, Food 4 the Soul, Noth’n Fancy, Elite Catering, Dogwood Java, East Coast Snowey and Lo Diferente.

“The main purpose is to get the public some useful information,’’ McLaughlin said.

There are two more food truck events scheduled this year, McLaughlin said, one in October and one in November on the first Thursday of each month.

McLaughlin said no theme had been determined for the remaining two rodeos.