Don’t put yourself at risk; follow the instructions of local officials – and if told to evacuate, do so immediately. If you encounter flood waters, remember – TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN.
Download the FEMA mobile app for disaster resources, weather alerts, and safety tips. The app (available in English and Spanish) provides a customizable checklist of emergency supplies, maps of open shelters and recovery centers, disaster survival tips, and weather alerts from the National Weather Service. The app also enables users to receive push notifications reminding them to take important steps to prepare their homes and families for disasters.
Preparedness
- If you have not already done so, now is the time to prepare for tropical weather and plan where you will go if a watch/warning is issued in your community.
- Be familiar with evacuation routes, have a family communications plan, keep a battery-powered radio handy and have a plan for pets. Visit www.ready.gov or www.listo.gov to learn these and other preparedness tips for tropical storms.
- Know your evacuation zone and be sure to follow the direction of state, local, and tribal officials if an evacuation is ordered for your area.
- If you have a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) flood policy, you may be eligible for reimbursement of actions taken to protect your property. Call your insurance agent to find out more.
- Set aside funds for out-of-pocket expenses that may arise due to impacts from a storm, such as evacuation costs (gas, meals, lodging, etc.) or insurance deductibles.
- Check on your neighbors and family who may need assistance such as infants, children, older adults, people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs. Ensure they are preparing too.
- Businesses of all sizes should prepare in advance of a potential disaster to prevent loss of life, property, or disruption to operations. Businesses can review and update their business continuity plans and ensure their workforce knows what to do before and during a disaster. Resources are available on web sites such as Ready.gov/business and SBA.gov/disaster-planning.
· 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 at highway dips. As little as six inches of water may cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
· If you encounter flood waters, remember – TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN.
- Tropical Storms have the potential for tornado formation. If you are under a tornado warning, seek shelter immediately in the center of a small interior room (closet, interior hallway) on the lowest level of a sturdy building. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside.
· Get to know the terms that are used to identify floods and severe weather, and discuss with your family what to do if a watch or warning is issued.
- A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding.
- A Flood Warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring.
- A Flash Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flash flooding.
- A Flash Flood Warning is issued when flash flooding is imminent or occurring.
- A Flash Flood Emergency is issued when severe threat to human life and catastrophic damage from a flash flood is imminent or ongoing.
For coastal flooding:
- A Coastal Flood Watch is issued when moderate to major coastal flooding is possible.
- A Coastal Flood Warning is issued when moderate to major coastal flooding is occurring or imminent.
- A Coastal Flood Advisory is issued when minor or nuisance coastal flooding is occurring or imminent.
For a tropical storm:
- A Tropical Storm Watch is issued when tropical cyclone containing winds of at least 39 MPH or higher poses a possible threat, generally within 48 hours.
- A Tropical Storm Warning is issued when sustained winds of 39 MPH or higher associated with a tropical cyclone are expected in 36 hours or less.
For storm surge:
o A Storm Surge Watch is issued when a tropical cyclone poses the possibility of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the shoreline within the specified area, generally within 48 hours.
o A Storm Surge Warning is issued when a tropical cyclone poses a danger of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the shoreline within the specified area, generally within 36 hours.
To learn more about hurricanes and tropical weather, visit the National Weather Service’s Hurricane Preparedness Week website.
