Know what disasters and hazards could affect your area, how to get emergency alerts, and where you would go if you and your family need to evacuate. During times of extreme stress, it can be difficult to think clearly. Make sure your family has a plan and practices it often.
Above all, stay calm, and focus on what you can do to get through the situation.
Assemble your family and stay together.
Evaluate the situation and take appropriate actions.
Listen to or watch radio, tv broadcasts, or weather apps and stay tuned for updates.
Use your phone only for emergency calls. Send texts to contact family.
If evacuating, disconnect electrical appliances and shut off electrical circuits at the fuse panel.
Do not go sightseeing in disaster areas, and do not attempt to enter restricted areas.
Hurricanes
For a Hurricane WATCH:
Tune in to local weather for information.
Prepare to board up all your windows. Install shutter panels if you have them.
Bring objects inside that could fly around (trash cans, lawn furniture, etc.).
Recheck tie-downs on manufactured homes.
Assemble a disaster supply kit.
Fill your car’s tank with gasoline.
Identify places where you can go if told to evacuate.
If told to evacuate, do so immediately!
For a Hurricane WARNING:
Keep disaster supply kit on hand.
Stay indoors and away from windows if you are advised not to evacuate.
Be aware of the eye of the hurricane (calm center). This lasts seconds. The most severe part of the storm comes just after the calm eye is present.
Tornadoes
During a Tornado:
Tune in to local weather for information.
Go to basement, storm cellar, or the lowest level in the building.
Get under sturdy furniture or a mattress. Hold on to it.
If in a mobile home, get out. Find safer shelter elsewhere.
If you are outdoors:
If possible, get inside.
If there is no time to get indoors, lie in a ditch or low-lying area or crouch near a strong building.
Use your arms to protect your head and neck.
If you are in a car:
Never try to out-drive a tornado. Tornadoes change direction quickly and can easily lift a car into the air.
Get out of the car immediately and take shelter in a nearby building.
If there is no time to get indoors, lie in a ditch or low-lying area away from the car.
Floods and Flash Floods
Flood and Flash Flood Watch:
Tune in to local weather for information. Keep alert for intense rainfall/rising waters.
Prepare. Assemble a Disaster Supply Kit.
Be ready to evacuate. Identify places to go.
Fill your car’s gas tank. Prepare a road map marked with 2 alternative routes.
Flood Warning:
Be prepared to evacuate. If told to leave, do so quickly.
Flash Flood Warning:
Leave low-lying area immediately and seek higher ground.
If driving in a low-lying area or if your car stalls in rapidly rising waters, get out of the car and seek higher ground immediately.
Stay away from storm drains, irrigation ditches, and creek or river areas.
You may have only seconds to escape during a flash flood.
Barricades are for your protection. Do not drive through them.
Extreme Heat
Drink plenty of water regularly and eat will-balanced, light meals.
Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you need to do strenuous activity, do so during the coolest part of the day.
Avoid alcohol / caffeine which can cause further dehydration.
Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that covers as much skin as possible.
When outside, protect your face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
Avoid too much direct sun to avoid sunburn and extreme temperature changes.
High-risk individuals should stay in cool places (home or public buildings).
Winter Storms
If you are indoors:
Tune in to local weather for information.
Stay indoors and dress warmly.
Close off unused rooms.
Conserve Fuel.
Completely open all faucets to avoid frozen pipes.
If you are outdoors:
Dress in warm, loose-fitting, layered, light-weight clothing.
Outer garments should be tightly woven and water repellent.
Protect lungs from extremely cold air by covering your mouth and nose.
Watch for frostbite and hypothermia.
Keep Dry. If clothes get wet, change.
Earthquakes
Stay calm. If inside, stay there and take cover where you are.
Duck or drop down to the floor.
Take cover under a sturdy desk or furniture. If that is not possible, seek cover against an interior wall. Protect your head and neck with your arms.
Avoid danger spots near windows hanging objects, or tall furniture. If you take cover under sturdy furniture, hold on to it and be prepared to move with it. Hold on until the ground stops shaking and it is safe to move.
Be prepared for aftershocks.
Tips for outside your home:
In a store: move away from display shelves containing objects that could fall. Do not rush for the exit.
Sidewalk near building: duck into a doorway to protect from falling bricks, glass, and debris.
Driving: pull over to the side of the road and stop. Avoid overpasses and power lines. Stay inside your vehicle.
High-rise building: move against an interior wall. Do not use the elevators.
Outdoors: move to a clear area away from trees, buildings, or downed electrical lines or poles.
Stadium/Theater: stay in your seat. Get below the level of the back of the seat, and cover your head with your arms.
Beach: move away from the water. Seek high ground.
Fires
Escaping from a building:
If you smell/see smoke or fire, get out quickly. Then call the fire department.
Before opening a door, feel quickly with the back of your hand.
- If the door is hot, go out through another exit. That room is probably on fire.
- If the door is cool, kneel down and check the air coming in under the door. If the air is cool, the room may be safe to enter.
- When opening the door, kneel and open it a little with your face turned away from the opening. Listen/smell for fire and smoke.
Close all windows and doors behind you when leaving.
Crawl low under smoke to escape.
Use stairs and not elevators.
If you cannot escape quickly:
Protect yourself with cloth around your hands and face.
Place a wet towel at the bottom of the door to prevent smoke from entering.
After placing the wet towel, open a window slightly. Hang something out the window to attract attention. Leave the window open slightly. Get down low for ventilation.
