Tips to Prepare your Household Before the Storm
Make an emergency plan
- Write down emergency phone numbers – keep them on the refrigerator or near every phone in your house and program them into your cell phone
- Prepare an emergency supply kit. Click here for a sample.
- Pet owners: Pre-identify shelters, a pet-friendly hotel, or an out-of-town friend or relative where you can take your pets in case of an evacuation
Gather necessary emergency supplies
- Have a food and water supply for at least three days
- Have emergency medicine supply for at least three days
Prepare your family and pets
- Review your emergency plan with your family
- Stay up to date on storm coverage Click here for more information.
- Call the hospital, public health department, or local police department if you have special needs
- Place pets and farm animals in a safe place Click here for more information.
Prepare your vehicle
- Fill your car’s gas tank
- Move cars and trucks into your garage or under a cover
- Keep an emergency kit in your car
- If you don’t own a car, consider making plans with friends or family to get a ride if you need to evacuate
Prepare your home
- Clear your yard: Ensure there is no debris that may blow around during the storm and damage your home; move bicycles, lawn furniture, grills, propane tanks, and building material inside or under a shelter
- Cover windows and doors: Use storm shutters or nail plywood pieces to outside window frames to protect windows from shattering
- Be prepared to turn off your power
- Fill containers with clean drinking water and fill up sinks and bathtubs
- Check to ensure your carbon monoxide (CO) detector battery is fully charged