When creating an emergency plan, assess your risks and consider how you'll respond before, during, and after a hazard. Planning ahead gives you the best chance to stay safe and recover quickly.
Disasters can strike anytime. If separated from relatives or friends during an emergency, staying in touch is critical. Create a family communication plan with:
Inside
Outside
Having a solid plan brings peace of mind and helps ensure your family stays connected and safe in a crisis.
Know your hazards and take action! Each hazard below links directly to resources with more information about that specific threat.
Download and complete a printable family communications plan to ensure everyone knows how to stay in touch during an emergency.
Whether you own a home, business, boat, or animals, preparing in advance helps reduce risk and damage during emergencies. To learn more about these topics, read pages 19–21 of our Emergency Preparedness Guide (PDF)(PDF, 33MB).
Learn how to secure windows, reinforce structures, relocate valuables, and safely shut off utilities.
Understand best practices for managing your pool and equipment before a storm.
Know how and when to dispose of or secure yard waste to prevent flying hazards.
Discover how to properly secure your boat and what actions to take before a storm hits.
Get evacuation and care guidance to keep animals safe during emergencies.
Learn how PEP systems work during power outages and how to manage water usage.
Understand how swales function and what to expect during heavy rainfall.