Do this first
- 1If you are told to evacuate, leave early. Do not wait.
- 2Staying in a safe area? Move to an interior room on the lowest floor that will not flood, away from windows.
- 3Before landfall, if there is time: charge phones, fill your gas tank, bring in outdoor items, fill water containers.
- 4Stay inside until officials say it is over. The calm eye is followed by strong winds from the other side.
What to grab
- Go-bag, medications, and important papers.
- Water — 1 gallon per person per day for at least 3 days — and food.
- Phone chargers or a power bank, and cash.
- Pet supplies, blankets, and flashlights.
Where to go
- Inland or to the shelter officials name — know your route before the storm.
- Friends or family outside the evacuation zone.
- If staying: an interior room away from windows, on a floor above flood risk.
What NOT to do
- Don't ignore an evacuation order.
- Don't wait until the storm starts to leave.
- Don't go outside during the eye of the storm.
- Don't drive through flooded roads.
- Don't run a generator or grill indoors or in a garage — carbon monoxide kills.
- Don't touch downed power lines.
All emergenciesGeneral guidance only. In a life-threatening emergency, call 911 and follow instructions from local officials.