Frequently Asked Questions

One of the most important steps you can take to prepare for emergencies is to develop a household disaster plan. For the best steps and guidance on how to prepare for emergencies, click here.

If you have a disability or special need, you may have to take additional steps to protect yourself and your household in an emergency. If you know of friends or neighbors with special needs, you should help them with these extra precautions. For additional information, follow this link: Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities.

You should have enough materials to survive on your own for three days or more. This means having your own water, food, and emergency supplies.

• Keep a disaster supply kit with essential food, water, and supplies ready to "grab and go" in case you must leave your home quickly because of a disaster. 
• Use backpacks or duffel bags to keep the supplies together, and make sure all household members know where the kit is kept. 
• You also should have a similar disaster supply kit at work, as well as a car kit with emergency food, water, flares, jumper cables, and cold weather equipment.

The most important items are water, food, first‐aid supplies, tools and emergency supplies, clothing and bedding. Use the following checklists to create your disaster supply kit. These items must be non-perishable such as canned foods, dry mixes, and your water needs to be stored in clean plastic, fiberglass, or enamel-lined containers. Here is a link to an emergency preparedness cookbook, Recipes for Disaster.

It is important to be as personally prepared as possible after an emergency as essential services may be cut off. Local disaster relief and government responders may not be able to reach you right away.