For Barbara Branch of Mooresboro, last minute storm preparations resulted in a $100,000 lottery prize.

Branch’s good fortune started Saturday night when she stopped at Earl’s Short Stop on N.C. 120 in Mooresboro to get some kerosene.

“I wanted to make sure I was ready in case the power went out,” Branch said. “When I went to pay, something just said to buy a lottery ticket.”

She ended up getting the new Big Money Playbook. When she scratched the book of tickets, she couldn’t believe it.

“I kept asking myself, ‘Is this for real?’” Branch said. “I had to have the clerk check it. When she told me to sign the back my hands were shaking. Most people just end up with bread and milk when they get ready for a storm, I can’t believe I ended up with $100,000.”

Branch kept the book of tickets by her side until she claimed her prize Tuesday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. After required state and federal tax withholdings, she took home $70,507. She plans to use some of the money to fix up her home.

The Big Money Playbook launched earlier this month with three top prizes of $1 million and four $100,000 prizes. All $1 million prizes remain and three $100,000 prizes remain. The $20 playbook has six pages of unique games. This is the first time the lottery has offered a playbook with multiple games.

Ticket sales from the Big Money Playbook make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $650 million a year for education. For details on how lottery funds have made a difference in all of North Carolina’s 100 counties, click on the “Impact” section of the lottery’s website.