- Know if you live in an evacuation area. Assess your risks and know your home's vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind. Understand the National Weather Service (NWS) forecast and especially the meaning of NWS watches and warnings.
- Contact your local National Weather Service office and local government/emergency management office. Find out what type of emergencies could occur and how you should respond.
- Keep a list of contact information for reference. Make sure your cellular phones have an adequate charge.
- Emergency Management Offices
- County Law Enforcement
- County Public Safety Fire/Rescue
- State, County and City/Town Government
- Local Hospitals
- Local Utilities
- Local American Red Cross
- Local TV Stations
- Local Radio Stations
- Your Property Insurance Agent
Risk Analysis
Online hazard and vulnerability assessment tools are available to gather information about your risks.
Everyone needs to be prepared for the unexpected. Your friends and family may not be together when disaster strikes. How will you find each other? Will you know if your children or parents are safe? You may have to evacuate or be confined to your home. What will you do if water, gas, electricity or phone services are shut off? Have these discussions ahead of time.
Supplies Kit
Put together a basic disaster supplies kit and consider storage locations for different situations.
Emergency Plans
Develop and document plans for your specific risks.
Protect yourself and family with a Family Emergency Plan
Health & Environment
Follow guidelines to guard your community's health and protect the environment during and after the storm.
Evacuation
- Review the FEMA Evacuation Guidelines to allow for enough time to pack and inform friends and family if you need to leave your home. FOLLOW instructions issued by local officials. Leave immediately if ordered!
- Consider your protection options to decide whether to stay or evacuate your home if you are not ordered to evacuate.
When waiting out a storm be careful, the danger may not be over yet...
Be alert for:
- Tornadoes – they are often spawned by hurricanes.
- The calm "eye" of the storm – it may seem like the storm is over, but after the eye passes, the winds will change direction and quickly return to hurricane force.