Hurricane Preparedness Tips

Essential Tips to Keep You Prepared

Preparedness Tips

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Create an Emergency Kit

Prepare an emergency kit with:

  • Non-perishable food and water for at least 3 days
  • First aid supplies and medications
  • Flashlights, batteries, and a battery-powered radio
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Develop a Family Emergency Plan

  • Identify a safe room or the safest areas in your home
  • Plan evacuation routes and meeting places
  • Ensure all family members know the plan and practice it regularly
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Stay Informed

  • Monitor weather forecasts and updates from trusted sources
  • Sign up for local emergency alerts
  • Have a Weather Radio for real-time updates
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Protect Your Home

  • Secure windows and doors with storm shutters or plywood
  • Bring in outdoor furniture and secure loose items
  • Trim trees and shrubs to minimize damage
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Know Your Evacuation Zone

  • Learn your community’s hurricane evacuation routes
  • Follow the instructions of local officials during an evacuation order
  • Have a plan for your pets
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Stay Connected

  • Charge all electronic devices and have backup power sources
  • Keep a list of emergency contacts
  • Use social media responsibly to stay updated and inform others of your status

Emergency Family Plan

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Know Your Hurricane Risks

  • Check local hazard maps and flood zones to see if you’re in a high-risk area.
  • Sign up for local emergency alerts at
  • ReadyHarris.org to stay informed about hurricane threats & notices.
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Identify a Safe Area In Your Home

  • Choose an interior room on the lowest level.
  • Avoid rooms with large windows or glass doors and stay away from exterior walls.
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Develop a Family Emergency Plan

  • Write down what needs to be done once you know that a hurricane is coming.
  • Identify who will be responsible for each piece of the emergency plan.
  • Do practice drills with your family in advance.
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Create a Communication Plan

  • Choose an out-of-town contact everyone can check in with.
  • Write down important phone numbers in case cell service is down.
  • Decide how you’ll communicate if separated (texts, social media, etc.).
Line drawing of two cars in a parking lot with a "P" symbol on a location marker, indicating a designated parking area.

Know Your Evacuation Routes

  • Find your local evacuation zones and routes at ReadyHarris.org
  • Identify at least two places to go: a shelter, family/friend’s homes, or a hotel.
  • Plan for pets if you have them — many shelters don’t accept them.
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Build Your Emergency Kit

  • Fill a backpack or storage bin with all the essentials you need to survive for at least 3-days without power.
  • Include items on the Family Preparedness Checklist and customize your kit to fit your needs.

Download These Checklists

Hurricane preparedness checklist with icons for water, food, tools, flashlight, radio, hygiene items, documents, emergency plan, cash, first aid kit, power bank, and kid games.

Download the Family Preparedness Checklist

Hurricane preparedness checklist with icons for water, food, can opener, flashlight, radio, hygiene items, documents, emergency plan, cash, first aid kit, power bank, and games.

Download the Family Preparedness Checklist (Black & White)

About Spring Fire Department

Founded in 1953, Spring Fire Department has grown from a small seven-person group to one of the largest fire departments in the county and state. Learn about our history and staff.

Discover Our Roots