A person packing emergency safety suppli

Emergency Preparedness

Emergencies and natural disasters can happen at any time and so it is important to 'Get Prepared and Stay Prepared' for them.

Have a plan in place, and practice your plan. This can help you stay safe and calm when there is an emergency. Practice your plan regularly so that you can know what to do and act quickly when an emergency occurs.

Have a communication plan in place. Cell phone towers can go down or get overloaded during an emergency. So, it is important to know how you will communicate with each other and to let people know, who are not with you, that you are safe.

Have an emergency/disaster kit for your family ready with essentials like water, non-perishable food, a first aid kit, flashlights, batteries, and a NOAA weather radio. Additional suggestions from FEMA are listed at the bottom of this page, to help you get started.

Have an 'Evac Pack' ready in case you need to leave home. This is a back pack you take with you. It should be light enough for you to carry on your own. Some recommended items to put in your 'Evac Pack' are listed below.

Stay informed about weather conditions through local news, weather apps, or a NOAA weather radio. There are local, state, and federal agency icon links below to help you gain more information about how to prepare for emergencies and natural disasters and what things you and your family can do before, during, and after an occurrence.

Remember, taking these steps can help protect you and your family during an emergency or natural disaster.

Kid Prep 'Evac Pack' Recommendations:

Water
Snacks
Small flashlight (hand crank and/or solar)
Sunglasses
Whistle
Gloves (leather palmed or coated)
Playing cards (small lightweight travel games)
Book
Colored pencils
Notebook (write about your experiences)
Sketchbook (create drawings about your experiences)
Toothbrush
Change of clothes (appropriate for the current weather)
Photographs of loved one
special toy or comfort item

Family Emergency Kit recommendations:

Water (one gallon per person per day for 3 to 7 days)
Food (at least a 3 to 7-day supply of non-perishable food)
Radio (battery-powered or hand crank and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert)
Flashlight
First aid kit
Extra batteries
Whistle (to signal for help)
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal use)
Paper products (plates and bowls, plastic cups and utensils)
Manual can opener (for food)
Local maps
Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery
2 way radios
Extra items for the unique needs of your family may include: pet food, diapers, wipes, formula, prescription eye glasses, medications, etc.

This list can change depending on your family's needs. It is important to be ready to stay at home (shelter in place) or leave home. Prepare your kit so that it is portable and can be put in a vehicle if need be.

Check out the resource links below for more information and ideas on how to 'Get Prepared and Stay Prepared' for emergencies and natural disaster that happen in the area you live.

Family Emergency Kit

Evac Pack