Disaster Plan for Your Family

A hurricane can cause widespread devastation during and after it occurs. Planning and preparing can make a big difference in safety and resiliency in the wake of a hurricane. The ability to quickly recover following a hurricane requires a focus on preparedness, advance planning, and knowing what to do in the event of a hurricane.
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​Plan what to do in case you are separated during an emergency
  • Choose two places to meet up:
    • Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, such as a fire.
    • Outside your neighborhood, in case you cannot return home or are asked to evacuate.
  • Choose an out-of-area emergency contact person. It may be easier to text or call long distance if local phone lines are overloaded or out of service. Everyone should carry emergency contact information in writing and saved on their cell phones. Make sure places where your children spend time also have these contact numbers, like at school or daycare.
  • Your plan should account for family members who may live elsewhere during the year, such as members on military deployment or students away at college, or those who travel frequently.
    • How will you need to adapt your plan if they are at home?
    • What will you need to do differently if they are away?
  • The most important precaution you can take to reduce damage to your home and property is to protect the areas where wind can enter.  Wind technology research shows it's important to strengthen the exterior of your house to prevent wind & debris from tearing large openings in it.
    • Bring loose, lightweight objects inside that could become projectiles in high winds (e.g., patio furniture, garbage cans); anchor objects that would be unsafe to bring inside (e.g., propane tanks); and trim or remove trees close enough to fall on the building.
    • Cover all of your home’s windows. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A second option is to board up windows with 5/8” exterior grade or marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install.
Download an American Red Cross Family Disaster Plan Templates:    English    Spanish
Ready.gov Family Plan site click here​