What you should know about Hurricanes
- Know what to do before, during, and after a hurricane.
- Prepare before hurricane season starts.
- Create an emergency communication planwith your family before a hurricane.
- Haveemergency suppliesin place at home, at work, and in the car.
- Check your insurance coverage, damages caused by flooding are not covered under normal homeowner’s insurance policies.
- Know yourlocal community’s evacuation plan and evacuation routes and how to receive alerts.
- Listen to local officials.
Graphics, videos & related links
For more engaging content, attach graphics to social media posts. Below are collections of severe weather related graphics and content that you can share with the below text.
- National Weather Service Hurricane Preparedness Week
- Hurricane Safety Graphics
- America's PrepareAthon!"When the Waves Swell" hurricane preparedness video
- Ready.gov"Don't Wait. Communicate" public service announcement
- National Hurricane Center
- Learn what to do before, during, and after a hurricane by visiting:ready.gov/hurricanes
- Get the kids involved in hurricane preparedness planning withReady Kids
- Emergency managers and educators can get tips to help kids cope here:Children and Disasters page
- Download the FEMA appfor disaster resources, weather alerts, and safety tips
- Check your insurance coverage by visiting:www.floodsmart.govand share information with theFlood Insurance Outreach Toolkit
- Find hurricane information in 12 other languages by visitingReady's multilingual page
Hurricane Preparedness
Know Your Hurricane Risk
- Check with local officials to understand your risk.
- Search online to find your local emergency management agency to learn more.
- Sign up for local alerts or download the FEMA app.
Know Your Evacuation Zone
- Learn your evacuation zone, route, and an alternate location to stay.
- Include pets when planning to evacuate.
- Practice your plan.
Assemble Disaster Supplies
- Gather needed supplies for at least 10 days.
- Don’t forget your specific needs like meds, powered devices, pets etc.
- Keep cash in your emergency kit.
Prepare Financially
- Start an emergency savings fund.
- Check your insurance coverage to make sure you have enough coverage.
- Learn more about flood insurance by visiting:www.floodsmart.gov
Strengthen Your Home
- Make sure your home is in good repair and meets local hurricane building codes.
- Declutter drains and gutters, trim trees, secure loose outdoor items & secure doors.
- Know a safe location to move your car during a hurricane.
Help Your Neighbors
- Get to know your neighbors before an emergency strikes.
- Make sure they have a plan before and after a hurricane.
- Exchange contact information
Make an Emergency Plan
- Write down your hurricane plan & share it.
- Make a plan of how you will get in touch with others before, during, and after.
- Take photos of important documents and store them in a secure place.
Social Media
Hashtags
- #HurricanePrep
- #ItOnlyTakesOne
- #HurricaneStrong
Know Your Hurricane Risk
- Live on the coast? You are most at risk for extreme winds & flooding from rain & storm surge during a hurricane. #HurricanePrep
- Live inland? You are at risk for wind, thunderstorms, flooding, & power outages during a hurricane. #HurricanePrep
- Hurricanes not only result in high winds, but floods, too. If you see a flooded path: Turn Around, Don’t Drown! #HurricanePrep
- Hurricane watch = conditions possible w/in the next 48 hrs. Learn how to prepare:ready.gov/hurricanes. #HurricanePrep
- Hurricane warning = conditions are expected within 36 hrs. Learn how to prepare:ready.gov/hurricanes. #HurricanePrep
- Know the risk: Sign up for alerts & warnings to know your local hurricane risk. More info:https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/94715#HurricanePrep
- 2 factors of your personal hurricane risk are where you live & your home structure. Learn more:http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/98105 #HurricanePrep
Know Your Evacuation Zone
- You may have to evacuate quickly due to a hurricane. Learn your evacuation routes & identify where you will staywww.ready.gov/evacuation#HurricanePrep
- Search online today for local pet-friendly evacuation locations:https://youtu.be/9f98ixT-2I4#HurricanePrep
- Do not get caught by dangerous flood waters, have an evacuation plan.https://www.ready.gov/evacuating-yourself-and-your-family #HurricanePrep
- Hurricanes can cause extensive flood damage in coastal & inland areas- Make a #HurricanePrep plan:ready.gov/hurricanes.
- Keep your car’s gas tank at least half full in case you need to quickly evacuate for a #Hurricane. #HurricanePrep
- Know your community’s local #hurricane evacuation plan and identify several evacuation routes for your location. #HurricanePrep
- Know before you go: Don’t go off course – follow official local #hurricane evacuation routes. #HurricanePrep
- It is time to go. If you have been instructed to evacuate, please do so. Listen to local officials to save yourself and your family. #HurricanePrep
- If you rely on public transportation, contact your local emergency management agency about evacuation procedures before a hurricane. #HurricanePrep
- Driving through flooded roadways is dangerous. Check out this @NWS PSA to see why:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI6mIlHKrVY.#HurricanePrep
Assemble Disaster Supplies
- Build emergency supplies by grabbing extra at the store *before* an emergency: https://youtu.be/Htgqb0pwrlQ#HurricanePrep
- As part of your family’s emergency kit, include games & toys to keep children entertained. #HurricanePrep
- Include a hand-crank or battery powered radio in your emergency kit. More tips: ready.gov/kit.#HurricanePrep
- During an extended power outage, ATMs & credit card machines may not work. Include extra $$ in your emergency kit. #HurricanePrep
- Store supplies at your common locations (e.g. home, work) in case you need to stay in place during a hurricane. #HurricanePrep
- Do you have enough batteries? Find out what supplies you should have on hand:ready.gov/kit.#HurricanePrep
- Gather your #hurricane supplies now, so you will not be tempted to drive on possibly flooded roads. A basic supply list can be found here:ready.gov/kit. #HurricanePrep
- Keep emergency supplies in your car in case you need to evacuate due to a hurricane. Watch this video for more.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3AnYI4HRlI #HurricanePrep
- Hurricane + high winds (frequently) = power loss. Store enough supplies (e.g., food, bottled water) to last at least 3 days – if possible for a week or more. #HurricanePrep
Prepare Financially
- Part of being prepared is understanding your finances. Does your family have enough savings in case of an emergency? Get more info:www.ready.gov/financial-preparedness#FinancialPrep #HurricanePrep
- Almost 60 percent of all Americans don’t have $400 in savings according to the Federal Reserve. What will you do in case of disaster? #FinancialPrep
- Anticipate initial out-of-pocket expenses for lodging, food, gas, and more after a disaster. Are you prepared? #FinancialPrep #HurricanePrep
- Floods are the nation’s most common and costly natural disaster, causing billions of dollars in damage each year. How are you prepared in case of a disaster?Plan now. Get tips:www.ready.gov/financial-preparedness#HurricanePrep
- The Emergency Financial First Aid Kit is a tool to help individuals and families at all income levels collect and secure the documentation they would need in case disaster strikes.https://www.ready.gov/financial-preparedness#FinancialPrep
- Businesses: purchase business-interruption insurance policies to help cover and protect against lost earnings that can occur following a disaster. #FinancialPrep #HurricanePrep
- Set aside a small amount from each paycheck to go into your savings account.Find more tips to help you manage your money to be prepared for the unexpected:https://www.usa.gov/flec#HurricanePrep
- If you want to build up your savings, try putting a small amount in your account the first of every month. #FinancialPrep #HurricanePrep
- Save. Save. Save. Your emergency savings can help you get life saving items like food, shelter, and water in an emergency. Saving Tips:https://www.usa.gov/flec#HurricanePrep
- 48% of people have an emergency fund, which gives them the savings to overcome simple emergencies and possibly ones that may save their life. Get tips to start saving today:https://www.usa.gov/flec#HurricanePrep
Check your insurance coverage
- Snap photos of important documents & save in a secure place to access during an emergency:https://youtu.be/i3MfRpND5gk#HurricanePrep
- Hurricanes bring heavy rains that may cause flooding. Purchase flood insurance before the storm.https://www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program #HurricanePrep
- Are you covered for hurricane dangers such as high winds & damage? Check your insurance policy ASAP.https://www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program #HurricanePrep
- 30: The number of days it takes for flood insurance to begin. Don’t wait until it’s too late!https://www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program #HurricanePrep
- Find out if you live in a flood prone area and how flood insurance can lessen the financial impact of a flood by visiting:www.floodsmart.gov. #HurricanePrep
- Owning a coastal home may be exciting, but it comes with a serious risk of flooding.www.floodsmart.gov#HurricanePrep
Strengthen your home
- #HurricanePrep tip: Bring in outdoor furniture & anything else that is not tied down to prevent injury/damage from debris.
- #HurricanePrep tip: Trim trees & shrubs. High winds can turn branches into projectiles during a storm.
- Reduce property damage in the event of a hurricane by retrofitting (i.e., reinforcing) the roof, windows, and doors. #HurricanePrep
- Prepare your property before a #hurricane by installing storm shutters. More mitigation tips at:https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/30627?id=6938#HurricanePrep
- You can act now to reduce potential property damage caused by floodwaters. Use flood damage resistant materials. # HurricanePrep
- When constructing a new home or upgrading an existing home, consider elevating the structure to better protect against floodwaters and/or storm surge. #HurricanePrep
Check on Your Neighbors
- Check in with neighbors to see how you can help each other out before and after a storm #HurricanePrep
- If you run to the store to grab a couple last minute supplies before a storm, check to see if your neighbor needs anything. #HurricanePrep
- Please share tips with your community for staying safe before, during, & after a hurricane:www.ready.gov/hurricane#HurricanePrep
- Get to know your neighbors before a storm or an emergency to help out in your community #HurricanePrep
- Almost half of Americans expect to rely on their neighbors after a disaster. Do you know yours? #HurricanePrep
- Help your community/neighbors get prepared & trained for an emergency by visiting:www.ready.gov/volunteer#HurricanePrep
Make an Emergency Plan
- Where will your loved ones be during a hurricane? Make and test your communication plan today. Get all the resources you need: www.ready.gov/plan#HurricanePrep
- Your family’s needs change over time – make sure you have what you need for this year’s #hurricane seasonwww.ready.gov/kit#HurricanePrep
- Pick an out of town person for everyone to contact during an emergency. Watch for more tips:https://youtu.be/vw0zxFldUFY#HurricanePrep
- Disasters don’t plan ahead. You can. Make an emergency plan today.www.ready.gov/make-a-plan#PlanAhead #HurricanePrep
- Preparing the family for an emergency is as simple as a convo over dinner. Get started with tips fromwww.ready.gov#HurricanePrep
- Download a group texting app so your entire crew can keep in touch before, during & after an emergency. #HurricanePrep
- Don't forget to include your pets in your family's emergency plans. Share this 1-minute video:https://youtu.be/BosQtZFv6Jk#HurricanePrep
- Download, share or print @Readygov’s Pet owner’s planning guide:http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/90356#HurricanePrep
- Don't forget to make a plan for large animals & livestock before a disaster. Tips:www.ready.gov/animals #HurricanePrep