Plan
Discuss with your family what to do before, during, and after an emergency. Planning ahead now will help everyone be better prepared.
Prepare
Make an emergency kit before a disaster with basic items your family may need during or after an emergency. Make sure everyone knows where to find it.
Stay Informed
Know the hazards where you live. Have a way to monitor severe weather. Register for Haywood Alerts to receive emergency notifications wherever you are.
Create a Family Emergency Plan
Every household and family should have a plan on how they will handle several key things in the event of an emergency. You may be away from home or each other when an emergency happens. Let’s consider a few things to talk about as a family that will make a bad day just a little bit better.
Step 1 — Discuss the following questions with your loved ones. If it helps you to stay organized, write them down.
1. How will you receive emergency alerts and notifications?
2. What is our shelter plan?
3. What is the best evacuation route in different emergencies?
4. What is our family/household communication plan?
5. Do we have an emergency kit, and it is appropriate for our family’s needs now?
Step 2 — Consider your family and household-specific needs.
- Your ages
- Your responsibilities to help others
- Locations you are at often
- Dietary needs
- Medical needs
- Disability or access needs
- Language needs
- Cultural or religious considerations
- Pets or service animals
- Needs of students in your household
Step 3 — Write down your plan and practice it together
Use this handy Guide
Don’t wait for emergency to find out if your plan works!
Gather An Emergency Kit
Items everyone should include:
- Water (one gallon per person per day. for several days, for drinking and sanitation)
- Food (several day supply, non-perishable)
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio and NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
- Flashlight
- First Aid Kit
- Extra Batteries
- Whistle (to signal for help)
- Dust Mask (to filter contaminated air)
- Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
- Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
- Manual can opener (for food)
- Local maps
- Cell phone with chargers and backup battery
Additional items to consider:
- Masks (for everyone ages 2 and up), soap, hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes
- Prescription medications (and copy of actual prescription)
- Over-the-counter medications (pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids, laxatives, allergy medications
- Eyeglasses and contact lens solution
- Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes
- Pet food and water
- Small amount of cash
- Important family documents (insurance policies, IDs, bank account records) in waterproof container
- Sleeping bag or blanket for each person
- One change of clothes and extra outer layer, sturdy shoes
- Fire extinguisher
- Waterproof matches
- Feminine supplies and personal hygiene
- Mess kit — plates, cups, cutlery
- Paper and pencil
- Books, games, kids activities
Winter Emergency Kits:
- Water and food for several days
- Clothing to keep you warm and dry
- Cell phone and charger
- Battery-powered or hand-crank weather radio
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Small cooler and hand warmers to keep electronics warm
- First Aid Kit
- Local maps
- Whistle to signal for help
- Wet wipes and plastic baggies
- Personal protective equipment (masks)
- Non-sparking wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Can Opener
- Baby and toddler essentials for little ones
Pets, Service Animals & Livestock
Pet Emergency Kit
- Food & Water for 3 – 7 days
- Food & Water dishes
- Collar / Harness & Leash (Harnesses are great for emergencies because they are harder to escape.)
- Well-fitting muzzle
- Copies of medical records & recent vaccinations
- ID tag with your name, phone number
- Pet’s current picture (in case they get lost)
- Pet First Aid kit
- Pet prescriptions and extra medications
- Pet bedding and toys
- Kitty Litter + Disposable trays (aluminum pans work well)
- Crates or travel bags for each animal
- Extra blankets or towels
Animal Safety
- Bring pets and small animals indoors at the first warning of a storm.
- Have at least a week’s worth of food for each animal.
- Have comfort items like treats and toys handy.
- Do NOT let animals drink flood water; it may be contaminated.
- Keep collar tags updated or microchip pets for a permanent option.
- Offer to check on neighbor’s pets.
- If you need to evacuate, take pets in crates or carriers. It’s important to practice this ahead of time, so animals don’t panic.
- Use harnesses when possible to prevent scared animals from slipping their collar and escaping.
- In your emergency plan, identify vet’s offices and kennels that you regularly use.Â
- Write down the phone numbers of the vet, groomer, animal shelter and other key services, in case the internet is down.
Sheltering with Animals
- Service animals are welcome to stay beside you at any emergency shelter.
- For the purposes of sheltering, emotional support animals will be treated like all other pets, and may not be able to stay close to you.
- Every effort will be made to keep pets safe and comfortable at emergency shelters. For the comfort and safety of everyone, animals are often sheltered in crates nearby, likely in another room.
- You will be expected to care for and walk your own animals, just as you would at home.
- Space will be limited. If you have many pets, you will want to plan for their care ahead of time.
- Dogs and cats are welcome at most shelters, but very large animals, livestock and exotic pets will need to have other arrangements.
- If a livestock shelter barn is opened, information about evacuations and accomodations will be shared as needed.
- Plan ahead for the shelter option that best serves the needs of you and your pet family. Many pets will be more comfortable in their regular kennel, hotels / motels, or staying with a friend.