How to Prepare Your Family

Below is what you should be discussing.

• Discuss the type of hazards that could affect your family. Know your home's vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind.

• Locate a safe room or the safest areas in your home for each hurricane hazard. In certain circumstances the safest areas may not be your home but within your community.

• Determine escape routes from your home and places to meet. These should be measured in tens of miles rather than hundreds of miles.

• Have an out-of-state friend as a family contact, so all your family members have a single point of contact.

• Make a plan now for what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate.

• Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones and make sure your children know how and when to call 911.

• Check your insurance coverage - flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners insurance.

• Stock non-perishable emergency supplies and a Disaster Supply Kit.

• Use a NOAA weather radio. Remember to replace its battery every 6 months, as you do with your smoke detectors.

• Take First Aid, CPR and disaster preparedness classes.