Residents in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina can find a list of state, tribal and local resources such as evacuation, shelter and important storm updates on FEMA.gov.
Pay attention to local officials.
Weather conditions can change quickly. Heed their warnings, and evacuate immediately if told to do so.
NOW is the time to finish preparations.
Today is the day to prepare for this storm. Take action immediately to protect yourself, your family, your pets and your home. Finish gathering supplies like food, water, medication, flashlights and food for your pets now. Include cash in your emergency kit if possible, as ATMs may not work after the storm.
If you did not evacuate, stay safe at home.
Gather your supplies, including flashlights, battery-operated radio, food, and water, and keep them on a high shelf or upper level. Find a safe location to ride out the storm, such as a designated storm shelter or interior room for high winds.
Be in the know about your evacuation route.
Several counties in Florida issued mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders. Florida residents can call (800) 729-3413 for shelter locations. People in Florida, Alabama and Georgia should be prepared to evacuate quickly if they are in the path of this storm and are told to do so.
Have several ways to receive alerts.
People in areas along Florida’s Panhandle and West Coast, Alabama and Georgia should follow the forecast carefully and follow the instructions of state and local officials by monitoring local radio or television stations for updated emergency information.
Sign up for community alerts in your area and be aware of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA), which require no signup. Download the free FEMA App, available in English and Spanish languages, to receive real-time weather alerts and find local emergency shelters in your area.
Your neighbors are your lifeline.
Check on your neighbors, especially older adults or those needing additional assistance, to ensure they have what they need to ride out the storm. Have a plan to remain in contact during and after the storm.
Power outage and generator safety.
If you lose power, use only flashlights or battery-powered lanterns for emergency lighting. If using a generator, always use it outdoors and keep it at least 20 feet from doors and windows. Also, keep the generator dry and protected from rain or flooding. De-clutter drains and gutters, bring in outside furniture and put up hurricane shutters if you have them.
Stay out of floodwater.
Walking, swimming or driving through flood waters is extremely dangerous. Standing water may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines or contain hazards such as wild or stray animals, human and livestock waste and chemicals that can lead to illness.
Turn Around. Don’t Drown.
Driving through a flooded area can be extremely hazardous. Almost half of all flash flood deaths happen in vehicles. When in your car, look out for flooding in low-lying areas at bridges and highway dips. As little as 6 inches of water may cause you to lose control of your vehicle or fall if you are walking through it. Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles, including sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and pick-ups.
Keep important documents safe.
Save copies of birth certificates, passports, medical records and insurance papers in a safe, dry place. Keep important documents in a waterproof container and create password-protected digital copies. Take photos or videos of your belongings and property on your phone or upload them to the internet. Move valuables like photo albums, heirlooms and other treasured items to higher levels.
