Preparing for a disaster can reduce the fear, anxiety and losses that disasters cause. A disaster can be a natural disaster, like a hurricane, tornado, flood or earthquake. It might also be man-made, like a bioterrorist attack or chemical spill. You should know the risks and danger signs of different types of disasters. You should also have a disaster plan. Be ready to evacuate your home, and know how to treat basic medical problems. Make sure you have the insurance you need, including special types, like flood insurance.

No matter what kind of disaster you experience, it causes emotional distress. After a disaster, recovery can take time. Stay connected to your family and friends during this period.

Make a plan today. Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to know which types of disasters could affect your area. Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find.

Step 1: Put a plan together by discussing the questions below with your family, friends or household to start your emergency plan.

1. How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?
2. What is my shelter plan?
3. What is my evacuation route?
4. What is my family/household communication plan?
5. Do I need to update my emergency preparedness kit?

Step 2: Consider specific needs in your household.

As you prepare your plan tailor your plans and supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities. Discuss your needs and responsibilities and how people in the network can assist each other with communication, care of children, business, pets or specific needs like operating medical equipment. Create your own personal network for specific areas where you need assistance. Keep in mind some these factors when developing your plan:

• Different ages of members within your household
• Responsibilities for assisting others
• Locations frequented
• Dietary needs
• Medical needs including prescriptions and equipment
• Disabilities or access and functional needs including devices and equipment
• Languages spoken
• Cultural and religious considerations
• Pets or service animals
• Households with school-aged children

Step 3: Create a Family Emergency Plan

Step 4: Practice your plan with your family/household

Pets are important members of your family, so don’t forget them when you’re making household preparedness plans. Taking some simple steps now can help prevent difficult decisions when an emergency happens.

5 tips to prepare your pets

1. Get pets microchipped and keep the information up to date.
2. Prepare a pet disaster kit ahead of time.
3. Plan where pets will stay in an emergency.
4. Have a trusted person who can check on pets if you’re not home.
5. Practice evacuating and sheltering in place with pets.

Include the essentials in your kit

Making a pet disaster kit is easy and one of the best ways to make sure you’re able to keep your pet safe during an emergency. Gather supplies like leashes and carriers, include at least 2 weeks’ worth of food and medication, and get your vet’s help with medical records.

Disasters are costly but preparing for them doesn’t have to be. In fact, taking time to prepare now can help save you thousands of dollars and give you peace of mind when the next disaster or emergency occurs.

Take these simple steps now to be better prepared for any disaster or emergency that have little to no cost.

Start Today

• Know what kind of disasters and emergencies are most common for where you live.
• Create your emergency communications plan. Use our free template to conveniently record important contact and medical information about your family, which you then can share with others and store copies both digitally and on paper.
• Make sure you store important phone numbers somewhere besides just your cell phone.
• Sign up for emergency alerts in your area to receive life-saving information from your state and local municipality.
• Download the FEMA App (available in English and Spanish) to receive weather alerts, safety tips and reminders and be ready for the unexpected.
• Build your emergency supply kit over time. Start with items you may already have in your home, like a flashlight, extra batteries, copies of important documents, water and non-perishable food. When you go to the grocery store, you can pick up an extra item each time that you use regularly, especially if it’s on sale! Community food banks are a potential resource for food-insecure families to stock their emergency supply kits.
• Talk with family or members of your household about where you will go if told to evacuate. Having a plan before disaster strikes can help you save precious time and money.
• Store important documents and items like passports, birth certificates, maps and electronics in a flood-safe place like a high shelf or upper floor in resealable water-tight plastic bags to help waterproof them. Store important documents like insurance policies digitally.
• Contact your local fire department. They may have programs that provide fire or carbon monoxide detectors.
• Check online for free or discounted CPR courses offered near you.
• Visit Floodsmart.gov to know your area’s level of flood risk.

Hazard-Specific

Earthquakes

• Hold regular Drop, Cover, and Hold On drills with your family.
• Anchor heavy objects like furniture or appliances to walls. Secure fragile or heavy objects.
• If you live in a tsunami zone, identify a safe place to be if a watch or warning is issued.

Wildfires

• Create a safety zone of at least 30 to 100-feet around your residence.
• Keep grass, plants and other vegetation around your living area well hydrated.
• Keep your roof and gutters clear of debris.

Hurricanes

• Keep the area around where you live free of natural debris or yard waste that could be picked up by heavy winds and cause damage.
• If you live in an evacuation zone and would need help evacuating, contact your local emergency manager now to see what resources and assistance are available in your area.
• Remove debris from gutters and drains.

Home Fires

• Create and practice a fire escape plan from your place of residence.
• Teach children not to hide from firefighters.
• Make sure you can get through doorways and exits if you use a walker or wheelchair.

Financial Preparedness Tips

Americans at all income levels have experienced the challenges of rebuilding their lives after a disaster or other emergency. In these stressful times, having access to personal financial, insurance, medical and other records is crucial for starting the recovery process quickly and efficiently.

1. Gather financial and critical personal, household and medical information.
2. Consider saving money in an emergency savings account that could be used in any crisis. Keep a small amount of cash at home in a safe place. It is important to have small bills on hand because ATMs and credit cards may not work during a disaster when you need to purchase necessary supplies, fuel or food.
3. Obtain property (homeowners or renters), health and life insurance if you do not have them. Not all insurance policies are the same. Review your policy to make sure the amount and types of coverage you have meets the requirements for all possible hazards. Homeowners insurance does not typically cover flooding, so you may need to purchase flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program.
4. For more helpful financial preparedness tips, download the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK) to get started planning today.

Be Safe

• Be cautious about sharing personal financial information, such as your bank account number, social security number, or credit card number.
• Do not click on links in texts or emails from people you don’t know. Scammers can create fake links to websites.
  • Remember that the government will not call or text you about owing money or receiving economic impact payments.
  • Be aware that scammers may try to contact you via social media. The government will not contact you through social media about owing money or receiving payments.
• Keep in mind that scammers may try to take advantages of financial fears by calling with work-from-opportunities, debt consolidation offers, and student loan repayment plans.
• Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ftc.gov/complaint if you receive messages from anyone claiming to be a government agent.

Emergency Financial First Aid Kit

The Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK), a joint publication from Operation Hope and FEMA, can help you prepare financially and provides tips to reduce the financial impact of disasters on you and your family.

For more information on the EFFAK visit the EFFAK Community Page.

For Organizations

Encourage people throughout your organization or workplace to prepare financially. Here are some ideas to promote financial preparedness in your organization:

• Hold a brown bag meeting.
• Make a presentation at an existing staff meeting using Safeguard Critical Documents and Valuables to support your discussion.
• Include financial preparedness information in the staff monthly newsletter.

At Home

Store important documents either in a safety deposit box, an external drive or on the cloud to make it easy to access during a disaster.

Take time now to safeguard these critical documents. Be cautious about sharing personal financial information, such as your bank account number, social security number, or credit card number.

Household Identification

• Photo ID (to prove identity of household members)
• Birth certificate (to maintain or re-establish contact with family members)
• Social Security card (to apply for FEMA disaster assistance)
• Military service
• Pet ID tags

Financial and Legal Documentation

• Housing payments (to identify financial records and obligations)
  • Some individuals and households may experience financial difficulty because of the pandemic. If you do not think you can pay your loan payments on time, immediately contact your bank and discuss your options before skipping any payments or taking any other actions contrary to the terms of your loans.
• Insurance policies (to re-establish financial accounts)
• Sources of income (to maintain payments and credit)
• Tax statements (to provide contact information for financial and legal providers and to apply for FEMA disaster assistance)

Medical Information

• Physician information (in case medical care is needed)
• Copies of health insurance information (to make sure existing care continues uninterrupted)
• Immunization records
• Medications

Insurance Information

Having insurance for your home or business property is the best way to make sure you will have the necessary financial resources to help you repair, rebuild or replace whatever is damaged. Document and insure your property now.

Household Contact Information

• Banking institutions
• Insurance agents
• Health professionals
• Service providers
• Place of worship

Get Your Benefits Electronically

A disaster can disrupt mail service for days or weeks. If you depend on Social Security or other regular benefits, switching to electronic payments is a simple, significant way to protect yourself financially before disaster strikes. It also eliminates the risk of stolen checks. The U.S. Department of the Treasury recommends two safer ways to get federal benefits:

• Direct deposit to a checking or savings account. If you get federal benefits you can sign up by calling 800-333-1795 or sign up online.
• The Direct Express® prepaid debit card is designed as a safe and easy alternative to paper.

Apply for government-funded unemployment, healthcare, and food and nutrition benefits to supplement your income or savings.

Consider using online and mobile banking services, if you are able. These services enable you to practice social distancing and conduct banking transactions at the same time.

Make sure your emergency kit is stocked with the items on the checklist below. Download a printable version to take with you to the store. Once you take a look at the basic items consider what unique needs your family might have, such as supplies for pets or seniors.

Basic Disaster Supplies Kit

To assemble your kit store items in airtight plastic bags and put your entire disaster supplies kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers such as plastic bins or a duffel bag.

A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:

• Water (one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation)
• Food (at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food)
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
• Flashlight
• First aid kit
• Extra batteries
• Whistle (to signal for help)
• Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
• Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
• Manual can opener (for food)
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

Additional Emergency Supplies

Since Spring of 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended people include additional items in their kits to help prevent the spread of coronavirus or other viruses and the flu.

Consider adding the following items to your emergency supply kit based on your individual needs:

• Masks (for everyone ages 2 and above), soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes to disinfect surfaces
• Prescription medications. About half of all Americans take a prescription medicine every day. An emergency can make it difficult for them to refill their prescription or to find an open pharmacy. Organize and protect your prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and vitamins to prepare for an emergency.
• Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids or laxatives
• Prescription eyeglasses and contact lens solution
• Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes and diaper rash cream
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Cash or traveler's checks
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person

• Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes
• Fire extinguisher

• Matches in a waterproof container
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils
• Paper and pencil
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

Maintaining Your Kit

After assembling your kit remember to maintain it so it’s ready when needed:

• Keep canned food in a cool, dry place.
• Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers.
• Replace expired items as needed.
• Re-think your needs every year and update your kit as your family’s needs change.

Kit Storage Locations

Since you do not know where you will be when an emergency occurs, prepare supplies for home, work and cars.

• Home: Keep this kit in a designated place and have it ready in case you have to leave your home quickly. Make sure all family members know where the kit is kept.
• Work: Be prepared to shelter at work for at least 24 hours. Your work kit should include food, water and other necessities like medicines, as well as comfortable walking shoes, stored in a “grab and go” case.
• Car: In case you are stranded, keep a kit of emergency supplies in your car.

After an emergency, you may not have access to clean water or electricity. Make sure you are prepared with your own supply of food, water, and other items to last for at least 72 hours.

• Medical-Related Items:
  • A 3-day supply of medicine, at a minimum. If medications need to be kept cold, have a cooler and ice packs available.
  • ID band (full name, contact number for family member/caregiver, and allergies)
  • Hearing aids and extra batteries
  • Glasses and/or contacts and contact solution
  • Medical supplies like syringes or extra batteries
  • Information about medical devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, and oxygen including model numbers and vender.
• Documents (Keep physical copies in a waterproof bag and take photos of each document for backup):
  • Your care plan
  • Contact information for family members, doctors, pharmacies and/or caregivers
  • List of all medications, including the exact name of the medicine and the dosage, and contact information for pharmacy and doctor who prescribed medicine
  • List of allergies to food or medicines
  • Copies of medical insurance cards
  • Copies of a photo ID
  • Durable power of attorney and/or medical power of attorney documents, as appropriate.

Plan long trips carefully and listen to the radio or television for up-to-date weather forecasts and road conditions. In bad weather drive only if absolutely necessary.

Emergency Kit for the Car

In case you are stranded, keep an emergency supply kit in your car with these automobile extras:

• Jumper cables
• Flares or reflective triangle
• Ice scraper
• Car cell phone charger
• Blanket
• Map
• Cat litter or sand (for better tire traction)

Prepare Your Car for Emergencies

Have a mechanic check the following on your car before an emergency:

• Antifreeze levels
• Battery and ignition system
• Brakes
• Exhaust system
• Fuel and air filters
• Heater and defroster
• Lights and flashing hazard lights
• Oil
• Thermostat
• Windshield wiper equipment and washer fluid level

Car Safety Tips

• Keep your gas tank full in case of evacuation or power outages. A full tank will also keep the fuel line from freezing.
• Install good winter tires and make sure they have enough tread, or any chains or studs required in your local area.
• Do not drive through flooded areas. Six inches of water can cause a vehicle to lose control or possibly stall. A foot of water will float many cars.
• Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.
• If a power line falls on your car you are at risk of electrical shock. Stay inside until a trained person removes the wire.
• If it becomes hard to control the car, pull over, stop the car and set the parking brake.
• If the emergency could affect the stability of the roadway avoid overpasses, bridges, power lines, signs and other hazards.

Following a disaster there may be power outages that could last for several days. Stock canned foods, dry mixes and other staples that do not require refrigeration, cooking, water or special preparation. Be sure to include a manual can opener and eating utensils.

Suggested Emergency Food Supplies

Consider the following things when putting together your emergency food supplies:

• Store at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food.
• Choose foods your family will eat.
• Remember any special dietary needs.

We suggest the following items when selecting emergency food supplies. You may already have many of these on hand.

• Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables and a can opener
• Protein or fruit bars
• Dry cereal or granola
• Peanut butter
• Dried fruit
• Canned juices
• Non-perishable pasteurized milk
• High-energy foods
• Food for infants
• Comfort/stress foods

Food Safety and Sanitation

Without electricity or a cold source food stored in refrigerators and freezers can become unsafe. Bacteria in food grow rapidly at temperatures between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit and if these foods are consumed you can become very sick. Thawed food usually can be eaten if it is still “refrigerator cold.” It can be re-frozen if it still contains ice crystals. Remember “When in doubt, throw it out.”

Do:

• Keep food in covered containers.
• Keep cooking and eating utensils clean.
• Throw away any food that has come into contact with contaminated flood water.
• Throw away any food that has been at room temperature for two hours or more.
• Throw away any food that has an unusual odor, color or texture.
• Use ready-to-feed formula. If you must mix infant formula use bottled water or boiled water as a last resort.

Don’t:

• Eat foods from cans that are swollen, dented or corroded, even though the product may look safe to eat.
• Eat any food that looks or smells abnormal, even if the can looks normal.
• Let garbage accumulate inside, both for fire and sanitation reasons.

Cooking

Alternative cooking sources can be used in times of emergency including candle warmers, chafing dishes, fondue pots or a fireplace. Charcoal grills and camp stoves are for outdoor use only. Commercially canned food may be eaten out of the can without warming.

To heat food in a can:

1. Remove the label.
2. Thoroughly wash and disinfect the can. (Use a diluted solution of one part bleach to 10 parts water.)
3. Open the can before heating.

Managing Food without Power

• Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
• The refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours if it is unopened.
• Refrigerated or frozen foods should be kept at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below for proper food storage.
• Use a refrigerator thermometer to check temperature.
• Refrigerated food should be safe as long as the power was out for no more than four hours.
• Discard any perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs or leftovers that have been above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for two hours or more.

Using Dry Ice:

• Know where you can get dry ice prior to a power outage.
• Twenty-five pounds of dry ice will keep a 10 cubic foot freezer below freezing for three to four days.
• If you use dry ice to keep your food cold, make sure it does not come in direct contact with the food.
• Use care when handling dry ice. Wear dry, heavy gloves to avoid injury.

Following a disaster clean drinking water may not be available. Your regular water source could be cut-off or compromised through contamination. Prepare yourself by building a supply of water that will meet your family’s needs during an emergency.

Determining Water Needs

Store at least one gallon of water per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation. A normally active person needs about three quarters of a gallon of fluid daily, from water and other beverages. However, individual needs vary depending on age, health, physical condition, activity, diet and climate.

Take the following into account:

• Children, nursing mothers and sick people may need more water.
• A medical emergency might require additional water.
• If you live in a warm weather climate more water may be necessary. In very hot temperatures, water needs can double.

Water Tips

• Never ration drinking water unless ordered to do so by authorities. Drink the amount you need today and try to find more for tomorrow. Minimize the amount of water your body needs by reducing activity and staying cool.
• Drink water that you know is not contaminated first. If necessary, suspicious water, such as cloudy water from regular faucets or water from streams or ponds, can be used after it has been treated. If water treatment is not possible put off drinking suspicious water as long as possible but do not become dehydrated.
• Do not drink carbonated or caffeinated beverages instead of drinking water. Caffeinated drinks and alcohol dehydrate the body which increases the need for drinking water.

Water Storage

Buy commercially bottled water and store it in the sealed original container in cool, dark place.

If you must prepare your own containers of water, purchase food-grade water storage containers. Before filling with chlorinated water, thoroughly clean the containers with dishwashing soap and sanitize the bottles by cleaning with a solution of one teaspoon of non-scented liquid household chlorine bleach to a quart of water. Water that has not been commercially bottled should be replaced every six months.

Water Treatment

If you have used all of your stored water and there are no other reliable clean water sources, it may become necessary to treat suspicious water. Treat all water of uncertain quality before using it for drinking, food washing or preparation, washing dishes, brushing teeth or making ice. In addition to having a bad odor and taste, contaminated water can contain microorganisms (germs) that cause diseases such as dysentery, cholera, typhoid and hepatitis.

There are many ways to treat water. Often the best solution is a combination of methods. Before treating, let any suspended particles settle to the bottom or strain them through coffee filters or layers of clean cloth.

Boiling

Boiling is the safest method of treating water. In a large pot or kettle, bring water to a rolling boil for one full minute, keeping in mind that some water will evaporate. Let the water cool before drinking.

Boiled water will taste better if you put oxygen back into it by pouring the water back and forth between two clean containers. This also will improve the taste of stored water.

Chlorination

You can use household liquid bleach to kill microorganisms. Use only regular household liquid bleach that contains 5.25 to 6.0 percent sodium hypochlorite. Do not use scented bleaches, color safe bleaches or bleaches with added cleaners.

Add 1/8 teaspoon of bleach per gallon of water, stir and let stand for 30 minutes. The water should have a slight bleach odor. If it doesn’t, then repeat the dosage and let stand another 15 minutes. If it still does not smell of chlorine, discard it and find another source of water.

Other chemicals, such as iodine or water treatment products sold in camping or surplus stores that do not contain 5.25 or 6.0 percent sodium hypochlorite as the only active ingredient are not recommended and should not be used.

Distillation

While boiling and chlorination will kill most microbes in water, distillation will remove microbes (germs) that resist these methods, as well as heavy metals, salts and most other chemicals. Distillation involves boiling water and then collection of only the vapor that condenses. The condensed vapor will not include salt or most other impurities.

To distill, fill a pot halfway with water. Tie a cup to the handle on the pot’s lid so that the cup will hang right-side-up when the lid is upside-down (make sure the cup is not dangling into the water) and boil the water for 20 minutes. The water that drips from the lid into the cup is distilled.

Emergencies come in many forms: fires, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, violent storms, and even terrorism. They can affect everyone, including pets. Are you prepared to protect your entire family? Read below for important preparedness checklists on keeping pets safe during an emergency.

Documents

• Photocopied veterinary records
  • Rabies certificate
  • Vaccinations
  • Medical summary
  • Prescriptions for medications
  • Most recent heartworm test result (dogs)
  • Most recent FeLV/FIV test result (cats)
• Photocopied registration information (e.g. proof of ownership or adoption records)
• Pet description(s) (e.g. breed, sex, color, and weight)
• Recent photographs of each of your pets
• Waterproof container for documents
• Microchip information (e.g. microchip number, and name and number of the microchip company)
• Your contact information (phone numbers and addresses for your family and friends or relatives you may be staying with)

Water, Food, Medications

• 2-week supply of food stored in waterproof containers for each animal
• 2-week supply of water for each animal
• Nonspill food and water dishes
• Manual can opener
• Feeding instructions for each animal
• 2-week supply of any medications (if applicable)
• Medication instructions (if applicable)
• 1-month supply of flea, tick, and heartworm preventative

Other Supplies

• Leash, collar with ID, and harness
• For cats: litter box and litter
• For dogs: plastic bags for poop
• Toys
• Appropriate-sized pet carrier with bedding, blanket, or towel (with your pet’s name, your name, and contact information on each carrier)
• Pet first aid book and first aid kit
• Cleaning supplies for accidents (paper towels, plastic bags, and disinfectant)

Follow these steps to make sure you and your family have enough safe food and water (for drinking, cooking, bathing, etc.) available in the event of a disaster or emergency.

Prepare an Emergency Food Supply

A disaster can easily disrupt the food supply at any time, so plan to have at least a 3-day supply of food on hand.

Keep foods that:

• Have a long storage life
• Require little or no cooking, water, or refrigeration, in case utilities are disrupted
• Meet the needs of babies or other family members who are on special diets
• Meet pets’ needs
• Are not very salty or spicy, as these foods increase the need for drinking water, which may be in short supply

How To Store Emergency Food

When storing food, it is not necessary to buy dehydrated or other types of emergency food.

• Check the expiration dates on canned foods and dry mixes. Home-canned food usually needs to be thrown out after a year.
• Use and replace food before its expiration date.

Certain storage conditions can enhance the shelf life of canned or dried foods. The ideal location is a cool, dry, dark place. The best temperature is 40° to 70°F.

• Store foods away from ranges or refrigerator exhausts. Heat causes many foods to spoil more quickly.
• Store food away from petroleum products, such as gasoline, oil, paints, and solvents. Some food products absorb their smell.
• Protect food from rodents and insects. Items stored in boxes or in paper cartons will keep longer if they are heavily wrapped or stored in waterproof, airtight containers.

Preparing Food

Preparing food after a disaster or emergency may be difficult due to damage to your home and loss of electricity, gas, and water. Having the following items available will help you to prepare meals safely:

• Cooking utensils
• Knives, forks, and spoons
• Paper plates, cups, and towels
• A manual can- and bottle-opener
• Heavy-duty aluminum foil
• Propane gas or charcoal grill; camp stove
• Fuel for cooking, such as charcoal. (CAUTION: Only use charcoal grills or camp stoves outside of your home to avoid smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning.)

Prepare an Emergency Water Supply

• Store at least 1 gallon of water per day for each person and each pet. Consider storing more water than this for hot climates, for pregnant women, and for people who are sick.
• Store at least a 3-day supply of water for each person and each pet. Try to store a 2-week supply if possible.
• Observe the expiration date for store-bought water; replace other stored water every 6 months.
• Store a bottle of unscented liquid household chlorine bleach to disinfect your water and to use for general cleaning and sanitizing. Try to store bleach in an area where the average temperature stays around 70°F (21°C). Because the amount of active chlorine in bleach decreases over time due to normal decay, consider replacing the bottle each year.

Note: Alcohol dehydrate the body, which increases the need for drinking water.

Water Containers (Cleaning and Storage)

Unopened commercially bottled water is the safest and most reliable emergency water supply.

Use of food-grade water storage containers, such as those found at surplus or camping supply stores, is recommended if you prepare stored water yourself.

Before filling with safe water, use these steps to clean and sanitize storage containers:

• Wash the storage container with dishwashing soap and water and rinse completely with clean water.
• Sanitize the container by adding a solution made by mixing 1 teaspoon of unscented liquid household chlorine bleach in one quart of water.
• Cover the container and shake it well so that the sanitizing bleach solution touches all inside surfaces of the container.
• Wait at least 30 seconds and then pour the sanitizing solution out of the container.
• Let the empty sanitized container air-dry before use OR rinse the empty container with clean, safe water that already is available.

Avoid using the following containers to store safe water:

• Containers that cannot be sealed tightly
• Containers that can break, such as glass bottles
• Containers that have ever held toxic solid or liquid chemicals, such as bleach or pesticides
• Plastic or cardboard bottles, jugs, and containers used for milk or fruit juices

For proper water storage:

• Label container as “drinking water” and include storage date.
• Replace stored water that is not commercially bottled every six months.
• Keep stored water in a place with a fairly constant cool temperature.
• Do not store water containers in direct sunlight.
• Do not store water containers in areas where toxic substances such as gasoline or pesticides are present.

Hurricanes, wildfires, floods, earthquakes, terrorist attacks, civil unrest—emergencies can strike at any moment. In many cases, you may need to evacuate your home. Are you prepared to care for your pets during an evacuation?

If you must evacuate, take your pets with you if at all possible. You’re the best person to care for them. Also, as the American Veterinary Medical Association pointed out in its brochure about preparing for a disaster, if the situation is dangerous for people, it’s dangerous for animals, too.

Preparing to take your pets

Before you leave your home, know where you can take your pets. During an emergency, temporary public shelters may not allow animals inside. If this is the case, you’ll need to find alternatives. Have a list of pet-friendly motels or hotels, or plan to go to the house of a friend or relative who will let you bring your pets.

You never know when an emergency will arise that will force you to leave your home, so even if you have no plans to travel with your pets, it’s still a good idea to get them used to a crate or carrier. If your pets are already familiar with the crate or carrier, you may have less trouble getting them into it and they may have less anxiety during travel.

Also consider having your pets microchipped. A microchip is a small implant that’s injected under the skin and provides pets with a permanent identification that can’t fall off, be removed, or become impossible to read. If your pets are taken to a veterinary clinic or animal shelter, they will be scanned to obtain their unique microchip number. The veterinary clinic or animal shelter will then call the pet recovery service and report the microchip number and you will be contacted using the information on file. Make sure to register your pets’ microchip numbers and keep your contact information up to date.

What to take

When you evacuate your home, be sure to take:

• At least a 1-week supply of food and fresh water for your pets;
• Medications, if your pets take medication;
• Copies of your pets’ vaccination records and other medical records;
• Information about your pet insurance policy, if you have one; and
• Photos of your pets to help others identify them if you become separated. (Microchips can also help reunite you with your pets in case of a separation.)

Assemble all of this into a pet emergency preparedness kit that you can grab as you leave.

If you cannot take your pets when you evacuate and must leave them in your home, put a Rescue Alert Sticker on your door to let people know there are pets inside.

Relying on a neighbor

If you get trapped away from your home due to a disaster or other emergency, your pets will be better off if you’ve already arranged for your neighbor or nearby friend to take care of them during a crisis.

The temporary caretaker should have phone numbers to reach you (a cell phone number may be best), and all the instructions necessary to properly care for your pets. Those instructions should include a signed authorization for veterinary care and financial limits to the veterinary care.

Afterward

After you've evacuated with your pets, make sure you keep a close eye on them in their new surroundings, both inside and outside. Ideally, dogs should be leash-walked or under your supervision in a secured fenced-in area. Cats should be confined to one room or a small indoor area until they get acclimated. Allow your pets plenty of time to rest and get used to their new environment. Provide familiar toys and beds, if possible.

Emergencies can make pets display unexpected or uncharacteristic behaviors. Normally well-behaved pets may become aggressive and defensive after a major disruption in their lives, and it may take several weeks for them to return to normal. If your pets remain extremely anxious or develop other behavioral or health problems, contact your veterinarian.

Hopefully, you’ll never have to evacuate your home and worry about what to do with your pets. That being said, it’s smart to be prepared and have a plan. Like insurance, it’s better to be prepared with a plan and never use it than it is to find yourself having to figure out at the last minute what to do with your pets when a disaster strikes.

Before a Natural Disaster

An emergency plan is especially important for those with health concerns, particularly if the power goes out. Taking precautions for storing medications and supplies is key to being prepared. Patients should:

• Keep an up-to-date list of their medications, including dose and indicated use
• Know how much medication they have on hand
• Obtain early refills if they anticipate access to their pharmacies will be disrupted
• Place medication bottles or packages in water-tight containers (such as plastic containers with lids) if there is a possibility of flooding or other water damage
• Have ice available for medications that need refrigeration

After a Natural Disaster

The Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) at FDA offers the following information on the use of drugs (medicines) that may be affected by fire, flooding or unsafe water, and on the use of temperature-sensitive drugs when refrigeration is temporarily unavailable. After a natural disaster, it is important to inspect all drugs.

Drugs Exposed to Excessive Heat, Such as Fire

The effectiveness of drugs can be destroyed by high temperatures from a fire. If you think your medicines have been exposed to excessive heat, consider replacing them.

Drugs Exposed to Unsafe Water

Drugs exposed to flood or unsafe municipal water may become contaminated. This contamination may lead to serious health effects.

We recommend that drugs – even those in their original containers with screw-top caps, snap lids, or droppers – should be discarded if they came into contact with flood or contaminated water. In addition, medicines placed in other storage containers should be discarded if the medicines came in contact with flood or contaminated water.

Lifesaving Drugs Exposed to Heat or Unsafe Water

A drug may be needed to treat a life-threatening condition, but a replacement may not be readily available. Drugs exposed to fire or unsafe water should be replaced as soon as possible. If the drug looks unchanged - for example, pills in a wet container appear dry - the drugs can be used until a replacement is available. If the pills are wet, then they are contaminated and need to be discarded.

Drugs that Need to Be Reconstituted (Made Into a Liquid)

Drugs that have to be reconstituted (made into a liquid using water) should be mixed only with purified or bottled water. Liquids other than purified or bottled water should not be used to reconstitute these products.

Drugs that Need Refrigeration

Some drugs require refrigeration (for example, insulin and certain liquid antibiotics). If electrical power has been off for a long time, the drug should be discarded and replaced. However, if the drug is absolutely necessary to sustain life (for example, insulin), it may be used until a new supply is available.

Because temperature-sensitive drugs lose potency if not refrigerated, they should be replaced with a new supply as soon as possible. For example, insulin that is not refrigerated is effective for a shorter period of time than the labeled expiration date. Please see Information Regarding Insulin Storage for more details.

If you are concerned about the efficacy or safety of a particular product, contact your pharmacist, healthcare provider, or the manufacturer's customer service department.

Take Action

• To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, use generators, pressure washers, grills, and similar items outdoors only. Generators should be used at least 20 feet away from your home.
• Identify and throw away food that may not be safe to eat.
• Check with local authorities to be sure your water is safe.
• In hot weather, stay cool and drink plenty of fluids to prevent heat-related illness.
• In cold weather, wear layers of clothing, which help to keep in body heat.
• Avoid downed power lines, if a power line falls on a car, you should stay inside the vehicle.

Food Safety

If the power is out for less than 4 hours, then the food in your refrigerator and freezer will be safe to consume. While the power is out, keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to keep food cold for longer.

Safe Drinking Water

When power goes out, water purification systems may not be functioning fully. Safe water for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene includes bottled, boiled, or treated water. Your state, local, or tribal health department can make specific recommendations for boiling or treating water in your area.

Medications

Some drugs require refrigeration to keep their strength, including many liquid drugs.

• When the power is out for a day or more, throw away any medication that should be refrigerated, unless the drug’s label says otherwise.
• If a life depends on the refrigerated drug, but the medications have been at room temperature, use them only until a new supply is available.
• Replace all refrigerated drugs as soon as possible.

Extreme Heat and Cold

Heat

Be aware of yours and others’ risk for heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps and fainting.

Heat stroke is the most serious heat illness. It happens when the body can’t control its own temperature and its temperature rises rapidly. Sweating fails and the body cannot cool down. Body temperature may rise to 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency care is not given.

If air conditioning is not available in your home:

• Contact your local health department or locate an air-conditioned shelter in your area.
• Spend some time at a shopping mall or public library- even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help.
• Take cool showers or baths.
• Don’t rely solely on fans to keep you cool. While electric fans might provide some comfort, when temperatures are really hot, they won’t prevent heat-related illness.

Cold

Hypothermia happens when a person’s core body temperature is lower than 35°C (95°F).

First Aid for Electrical Shock

If you believe someone has been electrocuted take the following steps:

1. Look first. Don’t touch. The person may still be in contact with the electrical source. Touching the person may pass the current through you.
2. Call or have someone else call 911 or emergency medical help.
3. Turn off the source of electricity if possible. If not, move the source away from you and the affected person using a nonconducting object made of cardboard, plastic or wood.
4. Once the person is free of the source of electricity, check the person’s breathing and pulse. If either has stopped or seems dangerously slow or shallow, begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately.
5. If the person is faint or pale or shows other signs of shock, lay the person down with the head slightly lower than the trunk of his or her body and the legs elevated.
6. Don’t touch burns, break blisters, or remove burned clothing. Electrical shock may cause burns inside the body, so be sure the person is taken to a doctor.

Power Line Hazards and Cars

If a power line falls on a car, you should stay inside the vehicle. This is the safest place to stay. Warn people not to touch the car or the line. Call or ask someone to call the local utility company and emergency services.

The only circumstance in which you should consider leaving a car that is in contact with a downed power line is if the vehicle catches on fire. Open the door. Do not step out of the car. You may receive a shock. Instead, jump free of the car so that your body clears the vehicle before touching the ground. Once you clear the car, shuffle at least 50 feet away, with both feet on the ground.

As in all power line related emergencies, call for help immediately by dialing 911 or call your electric utility company’s Service Center/Dispatch Office.

Do not try to help someone else from the car while you are standing on the ground.

Dangers of Gasoline Siphoning

Gasoline may be in short supply, before, during, and after natural disasters, such as hurricanes and floods. When there is not enough gasoline, people may want to take gasoline from one container and put it into another. This can be done by siphoning.

• Siphoning gasoline can harm your health. Do not try to siphon gasoline. It can cause serious injury or illness.
• Siphoning is when you use your mouth or a pump to suck a liquid such as gasoline out of one container, such as a gas tank, through a funnel or tube and into another container
• Possible injuries and illness from any form of siphoning include:
  • Burns and injury from unintentional combustion of gasoline and/or gasoline vapors. This may happen if the gasoline or its vapors come into contact with a lit cigarette or static electricity.
  • Confusion, drowsiness, headache or problems concentrating from breathing gasoline vapors
  • Irritation of skin, eye or mucus membranes on contact
• Other possible injuries and illness from siphoning when you use your mouth for suction include:
  • Lung damage, if gasoline is inhaled into the lungs (aspiration) during mouth-based siphoning
  • Gastrointestinal (GI) signs and symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and stomach pain if any gasoline is swallowed
  • Irritation of mucous membranes inside your mouth, throat and stomach on contact
• If you do breath gasoline fumes or swallow gasoline and feel ill, see a doctor and/or call the poison center for help.

Safety at Work During Power Recovery

As power returns after an outage, people at work may be at risk of electrical or traumatic injuries as power lines are reenergized and equipment is reactivated. CDC recommends that employers and employees be aware of those risks and take protective steps if they are in contact with or in proximity to power lines, electrical components, and the moving parts of heavy machinery.

Be Prepared for an Emergency

CDC recommends that people make an emergency plan that includes a disaster supply kit. This kit should include enough water, dried and canned food, and emergency supplies (flashlights, batteries, first-aid supplies, prescription medicines, and a digital thermometer) to last at least 3 days. Use battery-powered flashlights and lanterns, rather than candles, gas lanterns, or torches (to minimize the risk of fire).

Impact of Power Outage on Vaccine Storage

A power outage has significant implications for vaccine storage.

Heavy rains, severe flooding, or other types of emergency events could damage sewer systems and cause an overflow of untreated wastewater into communities and the environment. Always avoid contact with any floodwater that may be contaminated with sewage.

A well-maintained and constructed septic system will better withstand the stresses of heavy rains or flooding. Regular inspection is necessary to ensure proper functioning. During heavy rains and floods, the ground can become saturated, preventing proper operation of the system. For example, a septic tank can collapse or float out of position. Signs that a septic system is not working properly include the following:

• Sinks drain slowly
• Toilets drain slowly
• Floor drains overflow
• Sewage becomes visible outside the home

Before an Emergency

To prepare your septic system before an emergency such as a flood, hurricane, or earthquake:

• Seal the manhole and/or inspection ports to keep excess water out of the septic tank
• Be sure your septic tank is at least half full to prevent it from collapsing or floating
• If your septic system requires electricity,
  • Turn off the pump at the circuit box before the area floods
  • Waterproof all electrical connections to avoid electrical shock or damage to wiring, pumps, and the electrical system

During an Emergency

• During an emergency such as a flood, hurricane, or earthquake, reduce the amount of water used by limiting toilet flushing, dishwashing, washing clothes, and showering.
• Severe flooding can put drinking water wells at increased risk for contamination from flood water that may contain sewage. Avoid contact with any standing water that may contain sewage.

After an Emergency

CAUTION: Do not drink well water until you know it is safe. Use a safe water supply like bottled or treated water (learn how to make water safe).

Be aware that flood water may contain sewage.

Precautions related to septic systems include the following:

• Avoid contact with any septic system electrical devices until they are dry and clean.
• Do not pump out the septic tank more than halfway or the tank may float out of the ground.
• Reduce all nonessential water use (for example, dishwashing, washing clothes, showering).
• Flush toilets as little as possible or use a temporary toilet.

If you suspect septic system damage, get the system professionally inspected and serviced. Contact your health department for a list of septic system contractors who work in your area.

There are many places in the United States, called “fault zones,” that are at risk for serious earthquakes. These include states along the west coast, in the south, and in the central United States. While very strong or intense earthquakes are rare, less powerful earthquakes can also be dangerous. The key to surviving an earthquake and reducing your risk of injury lies in planning, preparing, and practicing what you and your loved ones will do if it happens.

Know the signs of an earthquake.

During an earthquake, you may hear a roaring or rumbling sound that gradually gets louder. You may also feel a rolling sensation that starts out gently and, within a second or two, grows violent.

OR

You may first be jarred by a violent jolt. A second or two later, you may feel shaking and find it difficult to stand up or move from one room to another.

Learn the safe spots.

During an earthquake, most deaths and injuries are caused by collapsing building materials and heavy falling objects, such as bookcases, cabinets, and heating units.

• Learn the safe spots in each room of your home. A safe spot may be underneath a sturdy table away from walls or underneath your covers with a pillow over your head if you are already in bed.

Plan and practice what to do if an earthquake strikes.

By planning and practicing what to do if an earthquake strikes, you and your loved ones can learn to react correctly and automatically when the shaking begins.

• Get the entire family to practice an earthquake drill, especially if you have children. Participating in an earthquake drill will help you and your loved ones understand what to do in case you are not with them during an earthquake.
• Make sure you and your children also understand the school’s emergency procedures for disasters. This will help you coordinate where, when, and how to reunite with your children after an earthquake.

Drop, cover, and hold on during your earthquake drill.

• DROP down onto your hands and knees immediately. This position protects you from falling but still allows you to move if necessary.
• COVER your head and neck (and your entire body if possible) underneath a sturdy table or desk. If there is no shelter nearby, get down near an interior wall or next to low-lying furniture that won’t fall on you, and cover your head and neck with your arms and hands. Try to stay clear of windows or glass that could shatter or objects that could fall on you.
• HOLD ON to your shelter (or to your head and neck) until the shaking stops. Be prepared to move with your shelter if the shaking shifts it around.

Create an evacuation plan.

If an earthquake happens, you and your loved ones may need to evacuate a damaged area afterward. By planning and practicing for evacuation, you will be better prepared to respond appropriately and efficiently to signs of danger or to directions by civil authorities.

• Take a few minutes with your family to discuss a home evacuation plan. Sketch a floor plan of your home, walk through each room, and discuss evacuation details. If you live downstream from a dam, know flood-zone information.
• Plan a second way to exit from each room or area, if possible. If you need special equipment, such as a rope ladder, mark where it is located.
• Mark where your emergency supply kit (including food, water, first aid) and fire extinguishers are located.
• Locate where the utility switches or valves are located so that they can be turned off, if possible.
• Indicate the location of your family’s emergency outdoor meeting place.

Create an emergency supply kit.

Stock up on emergency supplies that can be used after an earthquake. These supplies should include a first aid kit and emergency supply kits for the home and automobileexternal icon, including emergency water and food. Store enough supplies to last at least 3 days.

You should also make a list of important information (like telephone numbers of emergency contacts, insurance information, and important medical information) and gather any important documents (like medical documents, birth certificates, and passports). Store these items in a secure location like a fireproof or waterproof safe.

Items for your home

Assemble an emergency supply kit for your home. In addition to your standard emergency supply kit, some additional items that may help after an earthquake include the following:

• An ax
• A shovel
• A broom
• A rope for towing or rescue
• Sturdy shoes that can provide protection from broken glass, nails, and other debris
• Gloves (heavy and durable for cleaning up debris)
• Fire extinguisher (multipurpose, dry chemical type)
• A whistle or other signaling device carried in your purse or backpack

Prepare your home for earthquakes

Secure hazards in your home.

Make sure to inspect your home and its surrounding for any possible hazards and secure them if you can. Remember: anything can move, fall, or break during an earthquake or its aftershocks.

• Identify potential hazards in each room, including windows and other glass items, unanchored bookcases, furniture that can topple, items on shelves, and areas that could be blocked by falling debris. Secure them, where possible, with “L” brackets, corner brackets, aluminum molding, or eyebolts.
• Secure cabinet doors by installing sliding bolts or childproof latches.
• Secure your large appliances (like refrigerators, water heaters, and stoves) with flexible cable, braided wire, or metal strapping. Wrap your water heater and attach it to wall studs.
• Move heavy mirrors and pictures hanging above beds, chairs, and other places where you sit or sleep. Otherwise, anchor these items with wire through eye screws bolted into wall studs. Or place screws on both sides, top, and bottom of the frame and screw these into the studs.
• Replace heavy ceramic or glass hanging planters with light-weight plastic or wicker baskets.
• Identify poisons, solvents, or toxic materials in breakable containers and move these containers to a safe, well-ventilated storage area. Keep them away from your water storage and out of reach of children and pets.

Tips for Securing Shelves

To keep items from falling off open shelves, attach a wooden or metal guardrail to each shelf. You can also use fishing line for a less visible alternative.

You should also make sure to place heavy or large objects on lower shelves. Use Velcro®-type fastenings to secure some items to their shelves.

Inspect and secure your home’s structure.

Examine the structural safety of your house. If your house is of conventional wood construction, it will probably be relatively resistant to earthquake damage, particularly if it is a single-story structure.

• Strengthen the areas of connection between beams, posts, joists, and plates using “T” and “L” straps, mending plates, joist hangers, twin post caps, and nails and lap screws. Pay particular attention to exposed framing in garages, basements, porches, and patio covers.
• Check your chimney or roof for loose tiles and bricks that could fall in an earthquake. Repair loose tiles or bricks, as needed.
• Protect yourself from falling chimney bricks that might penetrate the roof, by reinforcing the ceiling immediately surrounding the chimney with 3/4-inch plywood nailed to ceiling joists.

For information on structural safety standards and qualified contractors in your area, contact your city or county government office on community development or building code enforcement. If you want to do the work yourself, many hardware or home-improvement stores will assist you with information and instructions.

Shut off utilities.

• Know where and how to shut off utilities, including gas, electricity, and water, at the main switches or valves. Check with your local utility companies for instructions.
• Teach all family members how and when to shut off utilities.

Keep yourself and your loved ones safe by planning ahead.

• Are you in a flash-flood prone area? Contact the local county geologist or county planning department to find out if your home is located in a flash-flood-prone area or landslide-prone area.
• Make a communication plan and a disaster plan for your family.
• Plan and practice a flood evacuation route with your family. Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to be the “family contact” in case your family is separated during a flood. Make sure everyone in your family knows the name, address, and phone number of this contact person.
• Stay informed. Learn about your community’s emergency plans, warning signals, evacuation routes, and locations of emergency shelters.
• Inform local authorities about any special needs, i.e., elderly or bedridden people, or anyone with a disability.

Get your home ready for a flood.

• Make sure you secure or protect any hazards in your home before the flood strikes.
• Be prepared to turn off electrical power when there is standing water, fallen power lines, or before you evacuate. Turn off gas and water supplies before you evacuate. Secure structurally unstable building materials.
• Buy a fire extinguisher if you don’t already have one. Make sure your family knows where it is and how to use it.
• Buy and install sump pumps with back-up power.
• Have a licensed electrician raise electric components (switches, sockets, circuit breakers and wiring) at least 12″ above your home’s projected flood elevation.
• For drains, toilets, and other sewer connections, install backflow valves or plugs to prevent floodwaters from entering.
• Anchor fuel tanks which can contaminate your basement if torn free. An unanchored tank outside can be swept downstream and damage other houses.

If you are under a flood watch or warning:

• Gather the emergency supplies you previously stocked in your home and stay tuned to local radio or television station for updates.
• Turn off all utilities at the main power switch and close the main gas valve if evacuation appears necessary.
• Have your immunization records handy or be aware of your last tetanus shot, in case you should receive a puncture wound or a wound becomes contaminated during or after the flood.
• Prepare an emergency water supply. Store at least 1 gallon of water per day for each person and each pet. Store at least a 3-day supply.
• Bring outdoor possessions, such as lawn furniture, grills and trash cans inside or tie them down securely.

Create an emergency supply kit.

Stock your home with supplies you may need during the flood by creating an emergency supply kit. Visit CDC’s Personal Health Preparedness page for a list of supplies you’ll want to include in your kit. Be sure to also include the following supplies in your kit:

• An emergency kit for your car with food, flares, booster cables, maps, tools, a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, sleeping bags, etc.
• Rubber boots, sturdy shoes, and waterproof gloves.
• Insect repellent containing DEET or Picaridin, screens, or long-sleeved and long-legged clothing for protection from mosquitoes which may gather in pooled water remaining after the flood.

Prepare a food and water supply.

Make sure you and your family have enough safe food and water (for drinking, cooking, bathing, etc.) available in the event of a flood.

Prepare to evacuate.

Never ignore an evacuation order— authorities will direct you to leave if you are in a low-lying area or within the greatest potential path of rising waters.

Even if you haven’t been ordered to evacuate yet, it’s always best to be prepared when a flood watch is issued. To prepare your home, car, and loved ones for a potential evacuation:

• Fill your vehicle’s gas tank and make sure the emergency kit for your car is ready.
• If no vehicle is available, make arrangements with friends or family for transportation.
• Identify essential documents such as medical records, insurance card along with ID cards and put in waterproof material to carry with you during evacuation.
• Fill your clean water containers.
• If you have pet, identify a shelter designated for pets.
• Review your emergency plans and supplies, checking to see if any items are missing.
• Tune in the radio or television for weather updates.
• Listen for disaster sirens and warning signals.
• Put livestock and family pets in a safe area. Due to food and sanitation requirements, emergency shelters cannot accept animals.
• Adjust the thermostat on refrigerators and freezers to the coolest possible temperature.

If you are ordered to evacuate:

If a flood warning is issued for your area or you are directed by authorities to evacuate the area:

• Take only essential items with you.
• If you have time, turn off the gas, electricity, and water.
• Disconnect appliances to prevent electrical shock when power is restored.
• Follow the designated evacuation routes and expect heavy traffic.
• Do not attempt to drive or walk across creeks or flooded roads.

If you are NOT ordered to evacuate:

To get through the storm in the safest possible manner:

• Monitor the radio or television for weather updates.
• Prepare to evacuate to a shelter or to a neighbor’s home if your home is damaged, or if you are instructed to do so by emergency personnel.

Make a Plan.

Hurricane season starts on May 15 in the north Pacific and June 1 in the Atlantic and the Caribbean. It ends on November 30. Before hurricane season each year, make sure you and your family are prepared by planning ahead.

• Write down emergency phone numbers and keep them on the refrigerator or near every phone in your house. Program them into your cell phone too.
• Prepare an emergency supply kit.
• Locate the nearest shelter and different routes you can take to get there from your home. If shelter locations in your area have not been identified, learn how to find them in the event of a storm.
• Pet owners: Pre-identify shelters, a pet-friendly hotel, or an out-of-town friend or relative where you can take your pets in an evacuation. Local animal shelters may be able to offer advice on what to do with your pets if you are asked to evacuate your home.

Gather emergency supplies.

During and after a hurricane, you may need supplies to keep your family safe and healthy. Remember that a hurricane could cut off your power and water supply. You also may not be able to drive because of damage to your car. Roads may be flooded or blocked.

That’s why it’s best to be prepared—stock up on everything you might need now. Be sure to prepare the following:

• An emergency food and water supply.
• An emergency medicine supply.
• Emergency power sources such as flashlights (don’t forget extra batteries).
• Safety and personal items.
• Important documents, including medical documents, wills, passports, and personal identification.
• A fire extinguisher. Make sure your family knows where to find it and how to use it! Read the National Fire Protection Association’s tips for using fire extinguishers.

Know the difference between a hurricane “watch” and “warning.”

Listen for National Weather Service alerts on TV or radio or check for them online. There are two kinds of alerts:

• A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 miles per hour [mph] or higher) are possible in a stated area. Experts announce hurricane watches 48 hours before they expect tropical-storm-force winds (sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph) to start.
• A hurricane warning is more serious. It means hurricane-force winds are expected in a stated area. Experts issue these warnings 36 hours before tropical-storm-force winds are expected in the area to give people enough time to prepare for the storm.

For more information about hurricane watches and warnings, check out the National Weather Service’s Hurricane Center. If you hear that there is a hurricane watch or warning in your area, you can take steps to get ready.

Get your car ready.

Make sure your car is ready before the storm hits.

• Fill your car’s gas tank.
• Move cars and trucks into your garage or under cover.
• Always keep an emergency kit in your car.
• Visit Ready.gov for information on how to prepare your car and what to include in your kit.

If you don’t own a car, consider making plans with friends or family or call authorities to get a ride if you need to evacuate.

Get your family and pets ready.

• Go over your emergency plan with your family.
• Keep checking for updates about the storm. Watch TV, listen to the radio, or check online.
• Call the hospital, public health department, or the police about special needs. If you or a loved one is older or disabled and won’t be able to leave quickly, get advice on what to do.
• Put pets and farm animals in a safe place. Read more about pet safety during an emergency.

Get your home ready.

• Clear your yard. Make sure there’s nothing that could blow around during the storm and damage your home. Move bikes, lawn furniture, grills, propane tanks, and building material inside or under shelter.
• Cover up windows and doors. Use storm shutters or nail pieces of plywood to the outside window frames to protect your windows. This can help keep you safe from pieces of shattered glass.
• Be ready to turn off your power. If you see flooding, downed power lines, or you have to leave your home, switch your power off.
• Fill clean water containers with drinking water. You’ll want to do this in case you lose your water supply during the storm. You can also fill up your sinks and bathtubs with water for washing.
• Check your carbon monoxide (CO) detector’s battery to prevent CO poisoning

Be ready to evacuate or stay at home.

Always listen to authorities regarding whether you should evacuate or stay at home.

If a hurricane is coming, you may hear an order from authorities to evacuate (leave your home). Never ignore an order to evacuate. Even sturdy, well-built houses may not hold up against a hurricane. Staying home to protect your property is not worth risking your health and safety.

You may hear an order to stay at home. If driving conditions are dangerous, staying at home might be safer than leaving.

If you need to evacuate:

• Grab your emergency supply kit and only take what you really need with you (cell phone, chargers, medicines, identification like a passport or license, and cash).
• Unplug your appliances. If you have time, turn off the gas, electricity, and water.
• Follow the roads that emergency workers recommend even if there’s traffic. Other routes might be blocked or flooded. Never drive through flooded areas—cars and other vehicles can be swept away or may stall in just 6 inches of moving water.
• Contact your local emergency management office and ask if they offer accommodations for owners and their pets. Learn more about evacuating with your pet.

If you need to stay home:

• Keep your emergency supply kit in a place you can easily access.
• Listen to the radio or TV for updates on the hurricane.
• Stay inside. Even if it looks calm, don’t go outside. Wait until you hear or see an official message that the hurricane is over. Sometimes, weather gets calm in the middle of a storm but then quickly gets bad again.
• Stay away from windows—you could get hurt by pieces of broken glass or flying debris during a storm. Stay in a room with no windows, or go inside a closet.
• Be ready to leave. If emergency authorities order you to leave or if your home is damaged, you may need to go to a shelter or a neighbor’s house.

Stay tuned for thunderstorm watches and warnings

Tornadoes often accompany thunderstorms. When there are thunderstorms in your area, turn on your radio or TV to get the latest emergency information from local authorities or check your mobile phone for weather alerts. Pay close attention to changing weather conditions when there is a severe thunderstorm watch or warning.

• A severe thunderstorm watch means severe thunderstorms are possible in your area.
• A severe thunderstorm warning means severe thunderstorms are occurring in your area.

Know the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning

NOAA Weather Radios

NOAA weather radios remain the best way to receive warnings from the National Weather Service. By using a NOAA weather radio, you can receive continuous updates on all the weather conditions in your area.

The National Weather Service recommends buying a radio with a battery backup (in case the power goes off) and a tone-alert feature that automatically sounds when a weather watch or warning is issued.

Tornado watch

A tornado watch means that a tornado is possible. A tornado watch is issued when weather conditions favor the formation of tornadoes.

During a tornado watch, you should

• Stay tuned to local radio and TV stations, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio, or your mobile phone for further weather information.
• Watch the weather and be prepared to take shelter immediately if conditions worsen.

Tornado warning

A tornado warning means that a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. You should immediately take shelter during a tornado warning.

Learn your local tornado warning system

Learn about the tornado warning system of your county or locality. Most tornado-prone areas have an outdoor siren system. Know how to distinguish between the siren’s warnings for a tornado watch and a tornado warning.

Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) are another method to stay up to date on weather emergencies. WEAs are emergency messages sent by authorized government authorities, such as the National Weather Service, through your mobile carrier. The alerts look like a text message and typically show the type and time of the alert, any action you should take, and the agency issuing the alert. For more information, visit the National Weather Service website.

Know the signs of a tornado

Some tornadoes strike quickly without time for a tornado warning, so it is important to know the signs of a tornado.

Signs that a tornado may be approaching include the following:

• Rotating funnel-shaped cloud
• Approaching cloud of debris
• Dark or green-colored sky
• Large, dark, low-lying cloud
• Large hail
• Loud roar that sounds like a freight train

If you notice any of these signs take cover immediately and stay tuned to local radio and TV stations, a NOAA weather radio, or the internet.

Identify the safest place to take shelter

Although there is no completely safe place during a tornado, some locations are safer than others. Safe places include a storm cellar, a basement, or an inside room without windows on the lowest floor (such as a bathroom, closet, or center hallway).

If you live in a mobile home, identify a nearby building you can get to quickly. Don’t stay in a mobile home during a tornado. If you live in a tornado-prone area, encourage your mobile home community to build a tornado shelter.

Create a tornado emergency plan

Take a few minutes to develop a tornado emergency plan.

• Identify a safe place in your home for household members and pets to gather during a tornado.
• Sketch a floor plan of your home or walk through each room and discuss where and how to seek shelter.
  • Identify a second way to exit from each room or area. If you need special equipment, such as a rope ladder, mark where it is located.
  • Mark where your first-aid kit and fire extinguishers are located.
  • Mark where the utility switches or valves are located so they can be turned off (if time permits) during an emergency.
• Make sure everyone understands the tornado warning system in your area.
• Teach your family how to administer basic first aid, how to use a fire extinguisher, and how and when to turn off water, gas, and electricity in your home.
• Learn the emergency dismissal policy for your child’s school.
• Make sure your children know
  • What a tornado is
  • What tornado watches and warnings are
  • What county or parish they live in (warnings are issued by county or parish)
  • How to take shelter, whether at home or at school

Practice your emergency plan

Conduct drills and ask questions to make sure your loved ones remember information on tornado safety, particularly how to recognize hazardous weather conditions and where to take shelter.

Extra measures for people with functional needs

• Write down your specific needs, limitations, capabilities, and medications. Keep this list near you always—perhaps in your purse or wallet.
• Find someone nearby (such as a spouse, roommate, friend, neighbor, relative, or co-worker) who will agree to assist you in case of an emergency. Give them a copy of your list. You may also want to provide a spare key to your home, or directions to find a key.
• Stay up to date on the weather conditions through whatever means are accessible to you. Some options are closed captioning or scrolled warnings on TV, radio bulletins, or call-in weather information lines.

Write down important information

Make a list of important information, including the following:

• Emergency telephone numbers (such as police, fire, paramedics, and medical centers)
• Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of your insurance agents, including policy types and numbers
• Telephone numbers of the electric, gas, and water companies
• Names and telephone numbers of neighbors
• Name and telephone number of your landlord or property manager
• Important medical information (for example, allergies, regular medications, and brief medical history)
• Year, model, license plate, and identification numbers of your vehicles
• Telephone number for your bank or credit union, and your account numbers

Store important documents in a secure location

Store important documents, such as the following, in a fireproof and waterproof safe:

• Birth certificates
• Ownership certificates (for example, autos or boats)
• Pet registrations or other proof of ownership
• Passports
• Medical documents
• Social security cards
• Insurance policies
• Will
• Household inventory
  • List of household items, including serial numbers, if applicable
  • Photos or videos of the contents in each room
  • Photos of high-value items, such as jewelry, paintings, or collection items

Create an emergency supply kit

Stock up on emergency supplies that can be used after a tornado. These supplies should include a first aid kit and emergency supply kits for the home and automobile, including emergency water and food. Store enough supplies to last at least 3 days.

Create a pet disaster preparedness kit if you have pets. You should include items such as veterinary records; registration information; a 2-week supply of water, food, and medications; a leash; and a pet carrier. For more information on how to prepare your pets for a disaster, see CDC’s Pet Safety in Emergencies website.

Take steps to reduce household hazards

The following suggestions will reduce the risk for injury during or after a tornado. However, no amount of preparation will eliminate every risk.

Inspect your home for possible hazards

Inspect your home for possible hazards. Address these questions:

• Are walls securely bolted to the foundation?
• Are wall studs attached to the roof rafters with metal hurricane clips, not nails?
• Are chairs or beds near windows, mirrors, or large pictures?
• Are heavy items stored on shelves more than 30 inches high?
• Are there large, unsecured items that might topple over or fall?
• Are poisons, solvents, or toxic materials stored safely?

Secure your home’s structure

No home is completely safe in a tornado. However, attention to construction details can reduce damage and provide better protection for you and your loved ones. For example, you may need to strengthen the areas of connection between the wall studs and roof rafters with hurricane clips.

If you identify a possible hazard in the way your home is constructed, contact your local city or county building inspectors for more information about structural safety. They may also offer suggestions on finding a qualified contractor to do any needed work for you.

Arrange and secure household items

Make sure to inspect your home and its surroundings for any possible hazards and secure them if you can:

• Arrange furniture so that chairs and beds are away from windows, mirrors, and picture frames.
• Place heavy or large items on lower shelves.
• Secure your large appliances, especially your water heater, with flexible cable, braided wire, or metal strapping.
• Identify top-heavy furniture, such as bookcases and china cabinets, that could topple over. Secure them with “L” brackets, corner brackets, aluminum molding, or eyebolts.
• Secure cabinet doors by installing sliding bolts or childproof latches.
• Store hazardous materials such as poisons and solvents in a sturdy, locked cabinet in a well-ventilated area. Keep them away from your emergency food and water supply and out of reach of children and pets.

Remember outdoor items

• Make a list of items to bring inside in the event of a storm.
• Remove any debris or loose items in your yard.

Learn how to shut off utilities

• Know where and how to shut off utilities, including gas, electricity, and water, at the main switches or valves. Check with your local utility companies for instructions.
• Teach all family members how and when to shut off utilities.

You can do many things to protect yourself and your family from the dangers a volcanic eruption can cause. The best way to protect yourself and your family is to follow the advice of local officials. Local authorities will give you information on how to prepare for a volcanic eruption, and if necessary, on how to evacuate (leave the area) or take shelter where you are.

How to prepare

Be prepared either to shelter or to evacuate. Develop an evacuation plan and a sheltering plan for yourself, your family, and others in your household. Review the plans and make sure that everyone understands them. If you haven’t already done so, put together an emergency supply kit. Supplies should include the following:

Exposure to ash can harm your health, particularly the respiratory (breathing) tract. To protect yourself while you are outdoors or while you are cleaning up ash that has gotten indoors, use an N-95 disposable respirator (also known as an “air purifying respirator”). N-95 respirators can be purchased at businesses such as hardware stores. It is important to follow directions for proper use of this respirator. If you don’t have an N-95 respirator, you can protect yourself by using a nuisance dust mask as a last resort, but you should stay outdoors for only short periods while dust is falling. Nuisance dust masks can provide comfort and relief from exposure to relatively non-hazardous contaminants such as pollen, but they do not offer as much protection as an N-95 respirator. Cleanup or emergency workers may need a different type of breathing protection.

If you are told to evacuate

Follow authorities’ instructions if they tell you to leave the area. Though it may seem safe to stay at home and wait out an eruption, doing so could be very dangerous. Volcanoes spew hot, dangerous gases, ash, lava, and rock that are powerfully destructive.

Preparing to evacuate

• Tune in the radio or television for volcano updates.
• Listen for disaster sirens and warning signals.
• Review your emergency plan and gather your emergency supplies. Be sure to pack at least a 1-week supply of prescription medications.
• Prepare an emergency kit for your vehicle with food, flares, booster cables, maps, tools, a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, sleeping bags, a flashlight, batteries, etc.
• Fill your vehicle’s gas tank.
• If no vehicle is available, make arrangements with friends or family for transportation, or follow authorities’ instructions on where to obtain transportation.
• Place vehicles under cover, if at all possible.
• Put livestock in an enclosed area. Plan ahead to take pets with you, but be aware that many emergency shelters cannot accept animals.
• Fill your clean water containers.
• Fill sinks and bathtubs with water as an extra supply for washing.
• Adjust the thermostat on refrigerators and freezers to the coolest possible temperature. If the power goes out, food will stay cooler longer.

As you evacuate

• Take only essential items with you, including at least a 1-week supply of prescription medications.
• If you have time, turn off the gas, electricity, and water.
• Disconnect appliances to reduce the likelihood of electrical shock when power is restored.
• Make sure your automobile’s emergency kit is ready.
• Follow designated evacuation routes—others may be blocked—and expect heavy traffic and delays.

If you are told to take shelter where you are

• Keep listening to your radio or television until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate. Local authorities may evacuate specific areas at greatest risk in your community.
• Close and lock all windows and outside doors.
• Turn off all heating and air conditioning systems and fans.
• Close the fireplace damper.
• Organize your emergency supplies and make sure household members know where the supplies are.
• Make sure the radio is working.
• Go to an interior room without windows that is above ground level.
• Bring your pets with you, and be sure to bring additional food and water supplies for them.
• It is ideal to have a hard-wired (non-portable) telephone in the room you select. Call your emergency contact—a friend or family member who does not live near the volcano—and have the phone available if you need to report a life-threatening condition. Remember that telephone equipment may be overwhelmed or damaged during an emergency.

Take steps now to prepare for wildfires. More and more people make their homes in areas that are prone to wildfires. You can take steps to be ready for a wildfire and prepare your home and landscaping to reduce your risk from a wildfire.

Know your community’s evacuation plans.

• Find several ways to leave your area.
• Drive the evacuation routes and find shelter locations.
• Have a plan for pets and livestock.

Gather emergency supplies, such as respirators.

• A respirator filters out smoke or ash before you can breathe it in. Respirators are not made to fit children.
• Remember the needs of children, pregnant women, and individuals with medical conditions like asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), or heart disease.

Plan to keep wildfire smoke outside.

• Choose a room you can close off from outside air.
• Set up a portable air cleaner or a filter to keep the air in this room cleaner even when it’s smoky outdoors or in the rest of your home.
• Make a plan to keep wildfire smoke out of schools or commercial buildings.

Keep track of fires near you so you can be ready.

• AirNow’s “Fires: Current Conditions page” has a map of fires throughout North America.
• NOAA’s “Fire weather outlook” page maps fire watches and warnings.
• Listen to the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio for emergency alerts.

During extremely cold weather or winter storms, staying warm and safe can be a challenge. Winter storms can bring cold temperatures, power failures, loss of communication services, and icy roads. To keep yourself and your loved ones safe, you should know how to prepare your home and your car before a winter storm hits.

Make a Plan

Be prepared before a winter storm hits by planning ahead. If you are in an area prone to winter weather, be sure to create a communication and disaster plan for your family ahead of time.

Prepare Your Home and Car

Weatherproof your home.

• Insulate any water lines that run along exterior walls so your water supply will be less likely to freeze.
• Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows.
• Insulate walls and attic.
• Install storm or thermal-pane windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside.
• Repair roof leaks and cut away tree branches that could fall on your home or other structure during a storm.

Have your chimney or flue inspected each year.

If you plan to use a fireplace or wood stove for emergency heating, have your chimney or flue inspected each year. Ask your local fire department to recommend an inspector or find one online.

Install a smoke detector and a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector.

• If you’ll be using a fireplace, wood stove, or kerosene heater, install a smoke detector and a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector near the area to be heated. Test them monthly and replace batteries twice a year.
• Keep a multipurpose, dry-chemical fire extinguisher nearby.
• All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside.
• Each winter season have your furnace system and vent checked by a qualified technician to ensure they are functioning properly.

For older adults, keep an easy-to-read thermometer inside your home.

If you or a loved one are over 65 years old, place an easy-to-read thermometer in an indoor location where you will see it frequently. Our ability to feel a change in temperature decreases with age. Older adults are more susceptible to health problems caused by cold. Check the temperature of your home often during the winter months.

Create an emergency car kit.

It is best to avoid traveling, but if travel is necessary, keep the following in your car:

• Cell phone, portable charger, and extra batteries
• Items to stay warm such as extra hats, coats, mittens, and blankets
• Windshield scraper
• Shovel
• Battery-powered radio with extra batteries
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Water and snack food
• First aid kit with any necessary medications and a pocket knife
• Tow chains or rope
• Tire chains
• Canned compressed air with sealant for emergency tire repair
• Cat litter or sand to help tires get traction, or road salt to melt ice
• Booster cables with fully charged battery or jumper cables
• Hazard or other reflectors
• Bright colored flag or help signs, emergency distress flag, and/or emergency flares
• Road maps
• Waterproof matches and a can to melt snow for water

Steps to Take Before the Storm Hits

Listen to weather forecasts, and check your supplies.

Listen to weather forecasts regularly and check your emergency supplies, including your emergency food and water supply, whenever you are expecting a winter storm or extreme cold. Even though we can’t always predict extreme cold in advance, weather forecasts can sometimes give you several days of notice to prepare.

Bring your pets indoors.

If you have pets, bring them indoors. If you cannot bring them inside, provide adequate shelter to keep them warm and make sure they have access to unfrozen water.

Get your car ready.

Have maintenance service on your vehicle as often as the manufacturer recommends. In addition, every fall, do the following:

• Have the radiator system serviced or check the antifreeze level yourself with an antifreeze tester. Add antifreeze as needed.
• Replace windshield-wiper fluid with a wintertime mixture.
• Make sure the tires on your car have adequate tread and air pressure. Replace any worn tires and fill low tires with air to the proper pressure recommended for your car (typically between 30-35 psi).
• Keep the gas tank near full to help avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.
• Keep your car in good working order. Be sure to check the following: heater, defroster, brakes, brake fluid, ignition, emergency flashers, exhaust, oil, and battery.

Learn First Aid and CPR

Take a first aid and CPR class. You can get more information about training from your local American Red Cross chapter. Getting certified protects you under Good Samaritan laws if you have to give first aid.

Learn to Use a Fire Extinguisher

Have at least one up-to-date fire extinguisher and let everyone in your household know where it's kept and how to use it. You should have an ABC type at minimum.

The U.S. Fire Administration says you should only use a fire extinguisher if you've been trained in its proper use and maintenance. Contact your local fire department for information on training in your area. Get more information about preparedness for a fire emergency.

Know How to Shut Off Utilities

Natural Gas

Natural gas leaks and explosions cause a significant number of fires after disasters. It's important that all household members know how to shut off natural gas.

There are different gas shut-off procedures for different gas meter configurations, so it's important to call your gas company. They can help you prepare for gas appliances and gas service to your home in the event of an emergency.

Make sure everyone in your household knows the proper shut-off procedure for your meter. Do not actually turn off the gas when practicing shutting it off.

• If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window and get everyone out quickly. Turn off the gas using the outside main valve if you can and call the gas company from a neighbor’s home.
• Caution: If you turn off the gas for any reason, only a qualified professional can turn it back on. NEVER attempt to turn the gas back on yourself.

Water

Water quickly becomes a precious resource following many disasters. It is important that everyone in your household learn how to shut off the main water valve to the house.

• Find the shut-off valve for the main water line that enters your house and tag it for easy identification. Make sure everyone in your household knows where it is.
• Make you can shut the valve off completely. Your valve may be rusted open or it may not close all the way. If so replace it.
• Cracked lines may pollute the water supply to your house. It's a good idea to shut off your water until authorities say it's safe to drink.

The effects of gravity may drain the water in your hot water heater and toilet tanks unless you trap it in your house by shutting off the main house valve. (This is not the street valve in the cement box at the curb – the street valve is extremely difficult to turn and requires a special tool.)

Electricity

Electrical sparks can ignite natural gas if it is leaking. Teach all responsible household members how to shut off the electricity.

• Locate your electrical circuit box. For your safety, always shut off all the individual circuits before shutting off the main circuit.

Sometimes the best way to stay safe in an emergency is to get inside and stay put inside a building or vehicle. Where you should stay can be different for different types of emergencies.

Be informed about the different kinds of emergencies that could affect your area and ways officials share emergency information. Ask your local emergency management agency about the best places to take shelter during different types of emergencies.

Get Inside, Stay Inside

If local officials tell you to “stay put,” act quickly. Listen carefully to local radio or television stations for instructions, because the exact directions will depend on the emergency situation. In general you should:

• Get inside. Bring your loved ones, your emergency supplies, and when possible, your pets,
• Find a safe spot in this location. The exact spot will depend on the type of emergency,
• Stay put in this location until officials say that it is safe to leave.

Stay in Touch

Once you and your family are in place, let your emergency contact know what’s happening, and listen carefully for new information.

Once you’re inside and in a safe spot, let your emergency contact know where you are, if anyone is missing, and how everyone is doing.

• Call or text your emergency contact. Let them know where you are, if any family members are missing, and how you are doing.
• Use your phone only as necessary. Keep the phone handy in case you need to report a life threatening emergency. Otherwise, do not use the phone, so that the lines will be available for emergency responders.
• Keep listening to your radio, television, or phone for updates. Do not leave your shelter unless authorities tell you it is safe to do so. If they tell you to evacuate the area, follow their instructions.

Sheltering with pets

• Prepare a spot for your pets to poop and pee while inside the shelter. You will need plenty of plastic bags, newspapers, containers, and cleaning supplies to deal with the pet waste.
• Do not allow pets to go outside the shelter until the danger has passed.

Sealing a Room

• In some types of emergencies, you will need to stop outside air from coming in. If officials tell you to “seal the room,” you need to:
• Turn off things that move air, like fans and air conditioners,
• Get yourself and your loved ones inside the room,
  • Bring your emergency supplies if they are clean and easy to get to
• Block air from entering the room, and
• Listen to officials for further instructions.

Once officials say the emergency is over, turn on fans and other things that circulate air. Everyone should go outside until the building’s air has been exchanged with the now clean outdoor air.

Staying Put in Your Vehicle

In some emergencies it is safer to pull over and stay in your car than to keep driving. If you are very close to home, your workplace, or a public building, go there immediately and go inside. Follow the “shelter-in-place” recommendations for that location. If you can’t get indoors quickly and safely:

It may be safer to pull your car over and stay put than to keep driving. Listen to local officials to know what to do.

• Pull over to the side of the road.
  • Stop your vehicle in the safest place possible and turn off the engine.
  • If it is warm outside, it is better to stop under a bridge or in a shady spot so you don’t get overheated.
• Stay where you are until officials say it is safe to get back on the road.
• Listen to the radio for updates and additional instructions.
  • Modern car radios do not use much battery power, so listening to the radio for an hour or two should not cause your car battery to die.
  • Even after it is safe to get back on the road, keep listening to the radio and follow directions of law enforcement officials.