FEMA Encourages Personal Preparedness This Storm Season

While the federal government takes steps to prepare for this hurricane season, we encourage individuals to do the same. Personal preparedness can reduce the risk of storm dangers during and immediately after a storm. Here are a few preparedness tips that should be considered:

Have a disaster kit for your home: Stock up on non-perishable food and water to sustain you and your family for up to 72 hours or longer. Ensure you have important papers (e.g. insurance, identification), first aid kit, a supply of prescription medicines and other specialty items in your preparedness kit. In addition, plan to have an emergency kit for your car in case you need to evacuate. While creating a disaster kit, pet owners should remember to pack the necessary items for their pets.

You can find more information on preparing your disaster kit at: www.ready.gov/america/getakit/index.html

Create an emergency plan: Know what to do if you have to evacuate. Make sure you know how to contact members of your family and have an emergency contact number for someone out of state who knows where you are in the event of an emergency. Make sure your pet is included in your emergency plan. You may want to offer assistance to an elderly or disabled family member or neighbor that may be alone and may need your help during an emergency. Make your plans ahead of time and practice them.

Be informed: Know evacuation routes, and listen to local authorities when asked to evacuate. Everyone should know their risks. Whether you live in a coastal community or inland, speak with your insurance agent now about flood insurance and review your home owner's policy. Every state and territory is at risk for flooding and homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. Flood insurance is a cost-effective way to financially prepare for floods. To learn more about your risk and flood insurance, visit www.floodsmart.gov.

People should have disaster plans and be ready to vacate their residence when advised by local authorities.

To stay informed during a storm, keep a battery-powered radio for weather and evacuation information should you experience a power outage and have extra batteries on hand.