Disaster can strike quickly and without warning.  It can force you to evacuate or confine you to your home.  What would you do if basic services - water, gas, electricity or telephones - were cut off? 

Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone right away.  Where will your family be when a disaster strikes? 

They could be anywhere - at work, at school or in the car.  How will you find each other?  Will you know if your children are safe?

Families can and do cope with disaster by preparing in advance and working together as a team. 

Knowing what to do is your responsibility and your best protection.

MAKE A PLAN

Make sure your family has a plan in case of an emergency and practice your plan.  Before an emergency happens, sit down together and

decide how you will get in contact with each other, where you will go, and what you will do in an emergency. 

The Ready.gov website has a thorough Make a Plan tool to help in the planning process.

BUILD A KIT

Building an emergency kit is crucial.  During emergencies, you may need to be on your own for a period of time. 

The Basic Disaster Supplies Kit from Ready.gov is a tool that you can use to help build your kit.

STAY INFORMED

Staying informed in an emergency is a critical part of being prepared. 

• Get local emergency alerts by registering for STAN. 
• Learn about your community’s warning signals.
• Be able to recognize what the warning signals sound and look like and what you should do when you hear or see them.
• Tune in. Listen to and watch reliable news sources.