Free Download: FEMA Emergency App

• Alerts from the National Weather Service: Receive severe weather alerts for up to five locations across the U.S. and see information about how to stay safe.
• Disaster Reporter:  Upload and share photos of damage and recovery efforts.
• Custom emergency safety information: Save a custom list of the items in your family’s emergency kit, as well as the places you will meet in case of an emergency.
• Maps of disaster resources: Locate and receive driving directions to open shelters and disaster recovery centers.
• Safety tips: Learn how to stay safe before, during, and after over 20 types of hazards, including floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes.
• Apply for assistance: Easily access DisasterAssistance.gov to apply for federal disaster assistance.
• Information in Spanish: The app defaults to Spanish language content for smartphones that have Spanish set as their default language.

You can also download the app via text messaging:

• If you have an Apple device: Text APPLE to 43362 (4FEMA)
• If you have an Android device: Text ANDROID to 43362 (4FEMA)
• If you have a Blackberry device: Text BLACKBERRY to 43362 (4FEMA)

FAMILY DISASTER PLAN RESOURCES

Most shelters are not equipped to provide meals, beds, or emergency care. If evacuated to a shelter, you must bring food, clothing, bedding, and special items with you.

Pets are seldom allowed in shelters. Contact your local humane society or vet for information on how to care for pets and livestock in a disaster.

Meet with family members to discuss what to do in an emergency. Plan how your family will stay in contact if separated by disaster. Pick two meeting places: (1) a location a safe distance from your home in case of fire, and (2) a place outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home. Choose an off-island or out-of-state friend or relative as a "check-in contact" for family members to call.

Post emergency telephone numbers by every phone and put a list of the numbers in your wallet or purse. Program the numbers into cell phones.

Show responsible family members how and when to shut off water, gas, and electricity at main switches.

Learn first aid and CPR. Contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross for information and training.

Hold neighborhood meetings to plan how you and your neighbors can work together after a disaster.

Maintain and practice your family emergency plan regularly. Testing of monthly warning systems can be a reminder to think how up-to-date your plans and your Disaster Supply Kit are. Or perhaps you would find it easier to be reminded by the following dates:

• March: When Mainland relatives "Spring Forward" to daylight savings time.
• April: Tsunami Awareness month in Hawaii.
• May: Flood Awareness Month in Hawaii.
• June: Hurricane Awareness Month in Hawaii.
• November: When Mainland relatives "Fall Back" to standard time.
• December: The first month after the end of Hurricane Season.
• Any date that you would never forget.

If you are keeping everything in order, most months you will be able to confidently say to yourself that you have done all you can to prepare; other times you will think "change the batteries" or "rotate the food supplies."

Power Outage Checklist

Sudden power outages can be frustrating and troublesome, especially when they last a long time. If a power outage is two hours or less, you need not be concerned about losing your perishable foods. For prolonged power outages, though, there are steps you can take to minimize food loss and to keep all members of your household as comfortable as possible.

Energy Conservation Recommendations:

• Turn off lights and computers when not in use.
• Wash clothes in cold water if possible; wash only full loads and clean the dryer's lint trap after each use.
• When using a dishwasher, wash full loads and use the light cycle. If possible,use the rinse only cycle and turn off the high temperature rinse option. When the regular wash cycle is done, just open the dishwasher door to allow the dishes to air dry.
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent lights.

How Do You Prepare for a Power Outage?

To help preserve your food, keep the following supplies in your home:

• One or more coolers – inexpensive Styrofoam coolers work well.
• Ice – surrounding your food with ice in a cooler or in the refrigerator will keep food colder for a longer period of time during a prolonged power outage.
• A digital quick-response thermometer – with these thermometers you can quickly check the internal temperatures of food to ensure they are cold enough to use safely.

Put together an emergency preparedness kit with these supplies in case of a prolonged or widespread power outage:

• Water – one gallon per person, per day (three-day supply for evacuation, two-week supply for home)
• Food – non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (three-day supply for evacuation, two-week supply for home)
• Flashlight (Note: Do not use candles during a power outage due to the extreme risk of fire)
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
• Extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Medications (seven-day supply) and medical items
• Multi-purpose tool
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
• Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, deed/lease to home, birth certificates, insurance policies)
• Cell phone with chargers
• Family and emergency contact information
• Extra cash
• If someone in your home is dependent on electric-powered, life-sustaining equipment, remember to include backup power in your evacuation plan.
• Keep a non-cordless telephone in your home. It is likely to work even when the power is out.
• Keep your car’s gas tank full.

What Should You Do During a Power Outage?

Keep Food As Safe As Possible

• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. First use perishable food from the refrigerator. An unopened refrigerator will keep foods cold for about four hours.
• Then use food from the freezer. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.
• Use your non-perishable foods and staples after using food from the refrigerator and freezer.
• If it looks like the power outage will continue beyond a day, prepare a cooler with ice for your freezer items.
• Keep food in a dry, cool spot and keep it covered at all times.

Electrical Equipment

• Turn off and unplug all unnecessary electrical equipment, including sensitive electronics.
• Turn off or disconnect any appliances (like stoves), equipment or electronics you were using when the power went out. When power comes back on, surges or spikes can damage equipment.
• Leave one light turned on so you’ll know when the power comes back on.
• Eliminate unnecessary travel, especially by car. Traffic lights will be out and roads will be congested.

Use Generators Safely

• When using a portable generator, connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator. Do not connect a portable generator to a home’s electrical system.
• If you are considering getting a generator, get advice from a professional, such as an electrician. Make sure that the generator you purchase is rated for the power that you think you will need.

What Should You Do When the Power Comes Back On?

Do not touch any electrical power lines and keep your family away from them. Report downed power lines to the appropriate officials in your area.

Throw Out Unsafe Food

• Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40° F (4° C) for two hours or more or that has an unusual odor, color or texture. When in doubt, throw it out!
• Never taste food or rely on appearance or odor to determine its safety. Some foods may look and smell fine, but if they have been at room temperature too long, bacteria causing food-borne illnesses can start growing quickly. Some types of bacteria produce toxins that cannot be destroyed by cooking.
• If food in the freezer is colder than 40° F and has ice crystals on it, you can refreeze it.
• If you are not sure food is cold enough, take its temperature with the food thermometer. Throw out any foods (meat, poultry, fish, eggs and leftovers) that have been exposed to temperatures higher than 40° F (4° C) for two hours or more, and any food that has an unusual odor, color or texture, or feels warm to touch.

Caution: Carbon Monoxide Kills

• Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area. Locate unit away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.
• The primary hazards to avoid when using alternate sources for electricity, heating or cooking are carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shock and fire.
• Install carbon monoxide alarms in central locations on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas to provide early warning of accumulating carbon monoxide.
• If the carbon monoxide alarm sounds, move quickly to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door.
• Call for help from the fresh air location and remain there until emergency personnel arrive to assist you.

Let Your Family Know You’re Safe

If your community experiences a disaster, register on RedCross.org to let your family and friends know about your welfare. If you don’t have Internet access, call 1-866-GET-INFO to register yourself and your family.

You can help people affected by disasters, such as hurricanes by donating to the American Red Cross. To make a donation, please visit www.redcross.org/charitable-donations.

Preparing For Winter Weather Video

KNOW YOUR WINTER WEATHER TERMS

NOAA'S NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAYS:
KNOW YOUR WINTER WEATHER TERMS
NOAA's National Weather Service urges residents to keep abreast of local forecasts and warnings and familiarize themselves with key weather terminology.
Winter Storm Warning: Issued when hazardous winter weather in the form of heavy snow, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet is imminent or occurring. Winter Storm Warnings are usually issued 12 to 24 hours before the event is expected to begin.
Winter Storm Watch: Alerts the public to the possibility of a blizzard, heavy snow, heavy freezing rain, or heavy sleet. Winter Storm Watches are usually issued 12 to 48 hours before the beginning of a Winter Storm.
Winter Storm Outlook: Issued prior to a Winter Storm Watch. The Outlook is given when forecasters believe winter storm conditions are possible and are usually issued 3 to 5 days in advance of a winter storm.
Blizzard Warning: Issued for sustained or gusty winds of 35 mph or more, and falling or blowing snow creating visibilities at or below ¼ mile; these conditions should persist for at least three hours.
Lake Effect Snow Warning: Issued when heavy lake effect snow is imminent or occurring.
Lake Effect Snow Advisory: Issued when accumulation of lake effect snow will cause significant inconvenience.
Wind Chill Warning: Issued when wind chill temperatures are expected to be hazardous to life within several minutes of exposure.
Wind Chill Advisory: Issued when wind chill temperatures are expected to be a significant inconvenience to life with prolonged exposure, and, if caution is not exercised, could lead to hazardous exposure.
Winter Weather Advisories: Issued for accumulations of snow, freezing rain, freezing drizzle, and sleet which will cause significant inconveniences and, if caution is not exercised, could lead to life-threatening situations.
Dense Fog Advisory: Issued when fog will reduce visibility to ¼ mile or less over a widespread area.
Snow Flurries: Light snow falling for short durations. No accumulation or light dusting is all that is expected.
Snow Showers: Snow falling at varying intensities for brief periods of time. Some accumulation is possible.
Snow Squalls: Brief, intense snow showers accompanied by strong, gusty winds. Accumulation may be significant. Snow squalls are best known in the Great Lakes region.
Blowing Snow: Wind-driven snow that reduces visibility and causes significant drifting. Blowing snow may be snow that is falling and/or loose snow on the ground picked up by the wind.
Sleet: Rain drops that freeze into ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet usually bounces when hitting a surface and does not stick to objects. However, it can accumulate like snow and cause a hazard to motorists.
Freezing Rain: Rain that falls onto a surface with a temperature below freezing. This causes it to freeze to surfaces, such as trees, cars, and roads, forming a coating or glaze of ice. Even small accumulations of ice can cause a significant hazard.