Emergency Preparedness

Severe weather can happen anytime, in any part of the country.  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers tips to get prepared and a Preparing Makes Sense video.

Before weather strikes:

• Check the forecast regularly to see if you’re at risk from severe weather.
• Sign Up for Notifications
• Create a Family Communications Plan
• Practice Your Plan 
• Prepare Your Home:
  • Keep trees trimmed that may be in danger of falling onto your home.
  • Keep drains and gutters unclogged
  • Plan to bring in or secure outdoor items that could blow away.
  • Consider hurricane shutters to protect your windows.
  • Consider surge protectors, lightning rods, or a lightning protection system.
  • Have cell phones fully charged and bring power bank and charging cords for auto and standard outlet
  • Have insurance contact numbers and policy numbers (take pictures of valuables)
  • Fuel your vehicle
  • Gather everything for your emergency kit – don’t forget to include medications, hand sanitizer, and your pet supplies

Thunderstorm & Lightning:

• When there is lightning around, never lie flat on the ground. Run to the nearest shelter instead.
• Don’t walk or drive through floodwaters. Turn Around. Don’t Drown!
• Remember 30-30 rule: After you see lightning, start counting to 30. If you hear thunder before you reach 30, go indoors. Suspend activities for at least 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder. Read about lightning safety here.

Hurricane:

• Go to your basement or an inside room on the lowest floor.
• If outside, go to a low-lying area such as a ditch and lie flat. Protect your head and neck with an object or with your arms.
• If you are in a mandatory evacuation zone and local officials tell you to evacuate, do so immediately.
• Locate the nearest shelter and different routes you can take to get there from your home.

Tornadoes:

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Storm Events Database reports that 18 Howard County tornadoes have occurred in Howard County between 1975 and 2022.  Based on the history of tornadoes in Howard County, there is a high probability of future tornadoes occurring in the Howard County.

• Do not try to outrun a tornado in a vehicle. If you are in a car or outdoors and cannot get to a building, cover your head and neck with your arms and cover your body with a coat or blanket. Watch a tornado safety video here.
• During a tornado, don’t stay in a mobile home, which can turn over when there are strong winds.
• If you don’t have a basement, go to a small interior room, closet, or hallway on the lowest level during the storm.  Get more information here.
• Identify a shelter for high winds – the basement or an inside room without windows on the lowest level – have everyone in the house practice going to this shelter.
• Pay attention to the weather, get weather alerts. Understand tornado alerts.

• Visit Ready.gov/Tornadoes for a preparation checklist, safety tips, and helpful links.

Other Tips to be Prepared:

• Fuel the vehicle you will use.

• Have cell phones fully charged.

• Bring Power Banks if you have them.

• Bring Charging Cords for auto and standard outlet.

• Have Insurance Contact Numbers and Policy Numbers (pictures are also helpful for valuables).

   

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• Listen to authorities and weather forecasts for information and special instructions.
• Be careful during clean-up. Wear protective clothing and face masks if cleaning mold.
• Save phone calls for emergencies. Phone systems are often down or busy after a disaster. Use text messages or social media to communicate with family and friends.
• Document any property damage with photographs.
• Let friends and family know before you leave and when you arrive.
• Don’t drink the water.  Avoid drinking tap water and flushing your toilets until you hear the “all clear” and you know that your sewer or septic system is in good working order.
• Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. Watch for fallen power lines and trees. Report them immediately.
• Do not wade in flood water. It may be contaminated.
• People with asthma and other lung conditions and/or immune suppression should not enter buildings with indoor water leaks or a noticeable smell of mold.
• Walk the perimeter of your home. Take note of any out-of-place electrical wiring, gas smells, or loose debris that may fall. If you notice downed power lines or a gas smell, call your gas and electric company before entering your house.
• When in doubt, throw it out. Food and drinks inside your fridge or freezer may need to be tossed when you return home.
• Connect with Ready HoCo - a one-stop-shop for emergency preparedness information in Howard County!