FAMILY PREPAREDNESS TIPS

FOR STAYING AT HOME

DURING A HURRICANE

Stay alert to storm advisories

WATCH and WARNING—Know the difference.

Enact your family disaster plan

Purchase a NOAA weather radio

Keep a Disaster Supply Kit ready

Have enough food and water for

at least three days

Protect valuable documents

Make your home more disaster resistant

Prepare to board up windows and glass doors, anchor

loose yard objects or bring them inside.

Get cash

Following a hurricane, banks and ATMs may be

temporarily closed.

Fill your car with gasoline for use after

the storm passes

Have a pet plan

Before a storm threatens, contact your veterinarian

or local humane society for information on preparing

your pets for an emergency.

Do not use candles or open flames

as a light source

Work with your neighbors

Check on elderly or those with special needs.

As the storm hits, gather your family

in a safe room (An interior room with no windows)

Following the storm, watch out for

downed power lines

Listen to your local officials!

Tear off here

and place on

your refrigerator
Disaster Supply Kit

WATER—at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 days

FOOD—at least enough for 3 days

— non-perishable packaged or canned food/juices

— food for infants or the elderly

— snack foods

— non-electric can opener

— cooking tools/fuel

— paper plates/plastic utensils

CLOTHING—seasonal/ rain gear/ sturdy shoes

BLANKETS/PILLOWS, etc.

FIRST AID KIT/ MEDICINES

— prescription and non-prescription medications

— glasses, dentures, hearing aids, etc.

SPECIAL ITEMS—for babies and elderly

TOILETRIES—Hygiene items

MOISTURE WIPES

FLASHLIGHT/ BATTERIES

RADIO— Battery Operated and NOAA Weather Radio

CASH

KEYS—Extra set of home and car keys

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS in a waterproof container

— insurance, medical records, bank account numbers,

Social Security card, etc.

— Document all valuables

TOYS/BOOKS/ ENTERTAINMENT

TOOLS—Keep a set with you during the storm

VEHICLE FUEL TANKS FILLED

PET CARE ITEMS

— proper identification/immunization records

— ample supply of food and water

— a carrier or cage

— medications

— muzzle and leash

Stay alert to storm advisories

WATCH and WARNING—know the difference.

Enact your family disaster plan

Map out your route

Use travel routes specified by local authorities.

DO NOT get on the road without a place to go.

Fill your car with gasoline

Evacuate if advised to do so

DO NOT get stranded, EVACUATE EARLY.

Enact your pet plan

Before a storm threatens, contact your veterinarian

or local humane society for information on preparing

your pets for an emergency.

Bring your disaster supply kit

Include important documents.

Secure your home before leaving

Board up windows and glass doors, anchor loose yard

objects or bring them inside and lock your doors.

Get cash

Following a hurricane, banks and ATMs may be

temporarily closed.

Notify family and friends of your plans

and how to contact you

When evacuating:

If possible, evacuate to the home of either

friends or family in a non-vulnerable area.

Next, try a motel or hotel and, as a last resort, go

to a shelter. Remember, shelters are not designed

for comfort and do not accept pets.

People who require special assistance in

evacuating should contact their local

emergency management office for assistance in

developing an evacuation plan.

Watch and Warning...Know the Difference

A HURRICANE WATCH issued for your part of the coast or

bay indicates the possibility that you could experience

hurricane conditions within 36 hours. This watch should trigger

your family’s disaster plan, and protective measures should be

initiated—especially those actions that require extra time such

as securing a boat, leaving a barrier island, etc.

A HURRICANE WARNING issued for your part of the coast or

bay indicates that sustained winds of at least 74 mph are

expected within 24 hours. Once this warning has been issued,

your family should be in the process of completing protective

actions and deciding the safest location to be during the storm.

For More Information:

Viginia Department of Emergency Management

www.vdem.state.va.us

Virginia Emergency Information Toll Free Line

1-866-782-3470

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

www.fema.gov

Kids Page

www.fema.gov/kids

Hurricane Preparedness Guide

www.fema.gov/library/hurricaf.htm

National Flood Insurance Program

www.fema.gov/nfp

American Red Cross

www.redcross.org

Humane Society of the United States

Tips for preparing your animals for an emergency:

www.hsus.org/disaster/index.html

Local Contact Information:

(If this area is blank, check the Government Pages of your phone book

for your locality’s emergency management office phone number.)

VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

10501 Trade Court

Richmond, VA 23236-3713

www.vdem.state.va.us

1-866-782-3470 (Toll Free)

Printed on recycled paper • May 2001

The original design of this brochure was developed by the State of Florida.

The Commonwealth of Virginia thanks Florida for its willingness to share.

FAMILY PREPAREDNESS TIPS

FOR EVACUATING

DURING A HURRICANE