Prepare in Advance​​

1. Assembling an emergency preparedness kit.

2. Creating a household evacuation plan that includes your pets.

3. Staying informed about your community’s risk and response plans.

4. Educating your family on how to use the Safe and Well website.

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Protecting our Family

1. Talk with your family about what to do if a hurricane strikes. Discussing hurricanes ahead of time helps reduce fear, particularly for younger children

2. Ensure that every member of your family carries a Safe and Well wallet card.

3.  Make sure you have access to NOAA radio broadcasts:

4. Find an online NOAA radio station

5. Search for a NOAA radio app in the Apple Store  or Google Play

6.  Keep insurance policies, documents, and other valuables in a safe-deposit box. You may need quick, easy access to these documents. Keep them in a safe place less likely to be damaged if a hurricane causes flooding.

7. Take pictures on a phone and keep copies of important documents and files on a flash drive that you can carry with you on your house or car keys

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Protecting Your Pets & Animals

• Prepare a pet emergency kit for your companion animals.

Protecting Your Home

1. Protect windows with permanent storm shutters or invest in one-half inch marine plywood that is pre-cut to fit your doors and windows.

2. identify a place to store lawn furniture, toys, gardening tools and trash cans (away from stairs and exits) to prevent them from being moved by high winds and possibly hurting someone.

3. Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts to prevent flooding and unnecessary pressure on the awnings.

4.  Remember that standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding but flood insurance does. Get information at www.FloodSmart.gov.

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Right Before

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1.  Listen to local area radio, NOAA radio or TV stations for the latest information and updates.

2. Be prepared to evacuate quickly and know your routes and destinations. Find a local emergency shelter.

3. Check your emergency kit and replenish any items missing or in short supply, especially medications or other medical supplies. Keep it nearby.

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Then, If You Can, Do This

1. Fill plastic bottles with clean water for drinking.

2. Fill bathtubs and sinks with water for flushing the toilet or washing the floor or clothing.

3. Fill your car's gas tank, in case an evacuation notice is issued.

4. Turn off propane tanks and unplug small appliances.

5. Bring in anything that can be picked up by the wind, such as bicycles and patio furniture.

If You Still Have Time, Do This

1. Move your furniture and valuables to higher floors of your home.

2. Turn off utilities if told to do so by authorities to prevent damage to your home or within the community. If you shut your gas off, a professional is required to turn it back on.

3. Unplug small appliances to reduce potential damage from power surges that may occur.

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If You Have Pets or Livestock

1. Consider a precautionary evacuation of your animals, especially any large or numerous animals. Waiting until the last minute could be fatal for them and dangerous for you.

2. Where possible, move livestock to higher ground. If using a horse or other trailer to evacuate your animals, move sooner rather than later.

3. Bring your companion animals indoors and maintain direct control of them. Be sure that your pet emergency kit is ready to go in case of evacuation.

Staying Safe During a Hurricane

1. Stay indoors.

2. Don’t walk on beaches, riverbanks or in flood waters.

3. Use flashlights in the dark if the power goes out. Do NOT use candles.

4. Continue listening to local area radio, NOAA radio or TV stations for the latest information and updates.

5. Avoid contact with floodwater. It may be contaminated with sewage or contain dangerous insects or animals.

6. Turn off the power and water mains if instructed to do so by local authorities.

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Staying Safe Outdoors

1. Don't walk, swim or drive through floodwater. Just six inches of fast-flowing water can knock you over and two feet will float a car.

2. If caught on a flooded road with rapidly rising waters, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground.

3. Don't walk on beaches or riverbanks.

4. Don’t allow children to play in or near flood water.

5. Avoid contact with floodwater. It may be contaminated with sewage or contain dangerous insects or animals.

6. Stay out of areas subject to flooding. Underpasses, dips, low spots, canyons, washes, etc. can become filled with water.

After a Hurricane

1. Let friends and family know you’re safe - Register yourself as safe on the Safe and Well website

2. If evacuated, return only when authorities say it is safe to do so.

3. Continue listening to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio for updated information and instructions.

4. Stay alert for extended rainfall and subsequent flooding.

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Caring For Yourself & Loved Ones

1. Pay attention to how you and your loved ones are experiencing and handling stress. Promote emotional recovery by following these tips.

2.  Do not use water that could be contaminated to wash dishes, brush teeth, prepare food, wash hands, make ice or make baby formula.

3. Watch animals closely and keep them under your direct control.

4. Help people who require additional assistance—infants, elderly people, those without transportation, large families who may need additional help in an emergency situation, people with disabilities, and the people who care for them.