Make a Plan

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Talk to your family about the hazards that could affect your area and what you should do if it happens.
  • Decide on a place to meet – one in your neighborhood and one outside your neighborhood – in case you cannot return to your home.
  • Write down your plan and make it part of your emergency supply kit.  Download the worksheets below and fill them out.  Have each member of your household carry a wallet card with them.
  • Texts, email and social media posts are more likely to get through when cell networks are overloaded.
  • Plan for your pets. Most evacuation shelters allow service animals only. (See more about pets below.)
  • Ask an out-of-town friend or family member to serve as a point of contact for all the member of your household. Often during an emergency, long-distance calls will go through when local networks are overwhelmed.
  • If you are instructed to turn off your home’s utilities, teach family members where and how to turn them off. Keep tools near the location.  If you turn off the gas, a professional must turn it back on – do not attempt to do it yourself.
Evacuate or Stay?

The first important decision you will make in an emergency is whether you stay where you are or evacuate the area. You should understand and plan for both scenarios. Read more about how to ready yourself to evacuate or stay.

If you’re a parent or guardian, you should know how your child’s school plans to handle all emergencies and disasters. When you find out what the emergency plans are, be sure to enter those disaster plans into your family’s emergency plan

Parents and guardians should ask schools and daycare providers about their emergency plans.

  • How will they communicate with you during a crisis?
  • Do they store enough food, water and other basic supplies for students if they have to stay in place for an extended period of time?
  • Where do they plan to go if they have to evacuate?
  • How will you be reunited with your child?