Weather can change on a dime. One day the climate may be mild and calm and 24 hours later tornado warning sirens could be going off. Hurricane season is expected every year in that we know the dates – June 1 through November 30 – but we never truly know how the season will play out. Hurricane Matthew showed us that knowing a hurricane is out there doesn’t necessarily mean we know where it’s going to make the biggest impact once it makes landfall. It is important for all of us to be as prepared as we can be when it comes to changing weather.
Do you know what you should have on hand in case of severe weather? A basic disaster supply kit should include:
- One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days
- At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Change of clothes
- Prescription medications and glasses
- Infant formula and diapers
- Pet food and extra water for your pet
- Cash or traveler’s checks and change
- Manual can opener for food
- Chargers for cell phones
- Personal hygiene items
You can always add more to your kit which should be accessible all year round. It’s also a good idea to periodically check your kit to see if it needs to be updated or changed in any way.
Click HERE to find out more about preparing for severe weather.
Ready.gov is a great site with a lot of helpful information on how to prepare for weather and other potentially dangerous occurrences.
Don’t Wait: Communicate
Having emergency plans in place for severe weather or any other crisis just makes good sense. Ready.gov has everything you need to make sure that when a disaster strikes, families know what to do which includes having an up-to-date contact list for those you may need to reach during a disaster and establishing alternate methods of communication in case traditional means are not available.
Family Communication Plan for Parents: FEMA_plan_parent_508_071513
Family Communication Plan for Children: FEMA_plan_child_508_071513
