Home › Disaster Services ›

Be Prepared

It's important to prepare for possible disasters and other emergencies. Natural and human-caused disasters can strike suddenly, at any time and anywhere. There are three actions everyone can take that can help make a difference...

Get a kit. Make a plan. Be informed.  

Get a Kit

Keep supplies in an easy to carry emergency preparedness kit that you can use at home or take with you in case you must evacuate. Consider the special needs of your family and ensure you have at least a 7-day supply. At a minimum, have the basic supplies listed below

  • Water- one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home
  • Food- non-perishable, easy to prepare items (3 day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home
  • Flashlight
  • Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
  • Extra batteries
  • First aid kit
  • Medications (7-day supply) and medical items
  • Multi-purpose tool
  • Sanitation and person hygiene items
  • Copies of personal documents (list of medications and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease for home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies
  • Cell phone with chargers
  • Family and emergency contact information
  • Extra cash
  • Emergency blanket
  • Maps of the area

Make a Plan

Sit down with your family and plan what to do in case you are separated during an emergency or if you have to evacuate. Discuss how to prepare and respond to emergencies that are most likely to happen where you live, learn, work and play. Plan to work together as a team. If a family member is in the military, plan how you would respond if they were deployed.

  • Choose two places to meet- One right outside your home for a sudden emergency, such as a fire, and one outside your neighborhood, in case you cannot return home or are asked to evacuate.
  • Choose an out of area emergency contact person. It may be easier to text or call long distance if local lines are overloaded or out of service. Everyone should have emergency contact information in writing or programmed into their cell phones.
  • Decide where you would go and what route you would take to get there in the case of an evacuation. you may choose to go to a hotel/motel, stay with friends or relatives in a safe location or go to an evacuation shelter if necessary.
  • Practice evacuating your home twice a year. Drive your planned evacuation route and plot alternate routes on your map in case roads are impassable.
  • Plan ahead for your pets. Keep a phone list of pet-friendly hotels/ motels and animal shelters that are along your evacuation routes.

Be Informed

Learn what disasters or emergencies may occur in your area. These events can range from those affecting only you and your family, like a home fire or medical emergency, to those affecting your entire community, like a tornado, earthquake, or flood.

  • Identify how local authorities will notify you during a disaster and how you will get information, whether through local radio, TV or NOAA Weather Radio stations or channels.
  • Know the difference between different weather alters such as watches and warnings and what actions to take in each.
  • Know what actions to take to protect yourself during disasters that may occur in areas where you travel or have moved recently. For example, if you travel to a place where earthquakes are common and you are not familiar with them, make sure you know what to do to protect yourself should one occur.
  • When a major disaster occurs, your community can chance in an instant. Loved ones may be hurt and emergency response is likely to be delayed. Make sure that at least one member or your household is trained in first aid and CPR and knows how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED). This training is useful in many emergency situations.
  • Share that you have learned with your family, household, and neighbors and encourage them to be informed.

Emergency Contact Cards for All Household Members

Get your emergency cards online at http://www.redcross.org/prepare/ECCard.pdf

  • Print one card for each family members.
  • Write the contact information for each household member, such as work, school, and cell phone numbers.
  • Fold the card so it fits in your pockets, wallet, or purse.
  • Carry the card with you so it is available in the event of a disaster or other emergency.