Plan and Prepare
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.
- How will you receive emergency alerts and notifications?
- What is our shelter plan?
- What is the best evacuation route in different emergencies?
- What is our family/household communication plan?
- 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 an emergency to find out if your plan works!
Learn more about emergency plans on ready.gov.
Gather An Emergency Kit
An emergency kit helps ensure your family has the supplies needed to stay safe and self-sufficient during and after a disaster.
Know Before You Need to Act
Knowing what is happening before, during, and after an emergency can help you make faster, safer decisions. Monitor local weather conditions, follow trusted news sources, and sign up for emergency alerts so you can receive important information wherever you are.
Pets, Service Animals & Livestock
Your emergency plan should include every member of your household, including animals. From family pets and service animals to livestock, preparing in advance can help keep them safe, comfortable, and cared for when emergencies occur.
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.
- Write down the phone numbers of the vet, groomer, animal shelter and other key services, in case the internet is down.
Being prepared means having the supplies your animals may need during and after an emergency. Learn what items to consider when building an emergency kit for your pets, service animals, and livestock.
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.