This week is National Hurricane Preparedness Week, so we’re continuing to share ways you can get prepared before hurricane season, beginning June 1. Today, we’re sharing tips you and your family can use to create an emergency plan, so you can stay in touch, stay informed, and reduce the stress of a hurricane or tropical storm.
There are several essential steps that should be a part of your hurricane safety plan, or any family emergency plan:
- Identify an out-of town contact. It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.
- Be sure every member of your family knows the phone number and has a cell phone or a prepaid phone card to call the emergency contact.
- Have a battery-powered radio, like a NOAA Weather Radio in the event that you lose power.
- Have an evacuation plan. If you are told to evacuate due to a hurricane, have a map to ensure you take the safest and quickest route/exit towards safety.
- Have a go-kit! A go-kit is an emergency supply kit that includes items like non-perishable food, water, a hand held battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra flashlights and batteries. Also have an extra pair of clothes available. You may want to prepare a portable kit and keep it in your car in case you are told to evacuate.
Check out this video of FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate’s tips on getting a plan and visit Ready.gov/hurricanes for information on getting ready for severe tropical weather.
While we can’t predict where the next hurricane or tropical storm may hit, we can all take steps now to make sure we’re prepared.
Other blog posts for National Hurricane Awareness Week
- Day 1: What we’re doing to prepare
- Day 2: Storm surge
- Day 3: Wind danger
- Day 4: Inland flooding
- Day 5: The team effort
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