Use a weather radio and change the batteries every six months.
Bring in or remove free-standing objects outside your home and ask your neighbors to do the same.
Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones and make sure your children know how and when to call 9-1-1.
Locate a safe room in your home. This is usually an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows or exterior walls, such as a closet, bathroom or utility room.
Bring your emergency supply kit into your safe room or take it with you if you evacuate.
Evacuation
If you live in an evacuation zone, identify where you will evacuate to (i.e. shelter, friend's or relative's home, hotel).
If a family member requires special care, such as life support equipment, register for the Emergency Evacuation Assistance Program by calling 3-1-1.
Determine escape routes from your home and places to meet.
Make a plan now for what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate.
Have an out-of-state friend as a family contact.
Yard & Surroundings
Prune your trees during the species' dormant season or during early spring. Dispose of all tree cuttings to prevent branches and stumps from becoming projectiles during a storm.
Never "hatrack" a tree, which means to cut or chop so severely that it's left with few or no leaves. Also, don't remove more than 25 percent of the tree canopy or cut a tree's root system.
Insurance
Check your insurance coverage - flood damage often isn't covered by homeowner's insurance.
Make sure that your insurance policy covers windstorms. Some homeowner's and renter's policies may not.
Take photos of your home before and after a storm.
Other
If you own a boat, secure the vessel with double lines at a marina or consider dry-dock storage. NEVER ride out a storm on a boat.
Put valuables, photos and copies of important papers in waterproof bags and store in a safe place, including photos of the interior and exterior of your home; your driver's license; list of medications; important names; addresses; phone numbers (doctors, lawyers, insurance agents, family and friends); account numbers and policy numbers (health, flood, auto and home).
