Hurricane Preparedness

• Download the FEMA app to your mobile phone and receive real-time alerts from the National Weather Service to be informed about hurricane watches and warnings.
• Sign up for community alerts in your area.
• Be informed on the latest CDC guidance on COVID-19 to see how it could impact your plans.
• Know the risks in your area. Find out what types of wind and water hazards could occur where you live.
• Get started by having enough supplies for your household, including medication, disinfectants, masks, and pet supplies in your go bag or car trunk.
• Make sure to have extra water and nonperishable foods at home. After a hurricane, you may not be able to purchase some essential items for days or even weeks.
• Involve your whole family in creating a family emergency communications plan and emergency kit.
• Learn your evacuation routes. Practice with household members and pets and identify where you will stay. Local emergency managers will provide the latest recommendations based on the threat to your community.
• If you need to evacuate to a public shelter, review the latest CDC guidelines for public shelters before you head out. If public evacuation shelters aren’t the safest choice for you, your family, and your pets. Prepare alternative plans to shelter in place at home or with nearby friends or family, whichever is safest.
• Contact your local emergency management office, animal shelter, or animal control office if you’re unsure how to take care of your pet during an emergency.
• Have your pets microchipped in case they get lost.
• Visit ready.gov/hurricanes to learn more about how to get ready for hurricanes and how to stay safe during a storm.

The American Red Cross is a great resource.Find their free Emergency App in the Apple Store » or Google Play » Aplicación de Emergencias – ahora disponible en español » también!

Download the hurricane preparedness guide.

As you prepare for emergencies, make sure you have a plan for Fluffy and Fido, too. If sudden emergencies or storms arise, evacuation or sheltering will be less stressful for you and your family, including your pets if you have a plan in place.

While hurricane season is officially from June 1 – November 1, it is important to always be prepared and take all alerts seriously.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is again predicting an above normal hurricane season for 2022.