Disaster Preparedness

Though you can’t prevent a natural disaster, you can minimize the effects of one by being prepared. Not only will having a plan help ensure the safety of your family, but also it can help reduce damage to your property.

The first and most important step you can take is creating a disaster preparedness plan so everyone in your family knows what to do in times of emergency.

How to Create an Emergency Plan

• Research the hazards that are likely to affect your area.
• Be familiar with your community’s warning signals, what they sound like and what they mean.
• Purchase a weather radio and/or download weather apps to stay informed of weather conditions.
• Find out about the emergency response plans for your child’s school, your family’s workplaces, etc.
• Create a list of important numbers and contact information (doctor, work, school, relatives) and post it in a prominent place in your home.
• Establish emergency meeting spots inside and outside your home, as well as outside of your neighborhood in the event of an evacuation.
• Be aware of emergency evacuation routes.
• Designate a family contact out-of-town to let them know where you are and that you are okay after a disaster.
• Show each family member how to shut off electrical, gas and water utilities at the main valves or switches.
• Teach each family member how to use a fire extinguisher and place it in a central location.
• Learn basic first aid.
• Include your pets in your preparation. Determine where you can board them or where you can take them if you plan to evacuate. Also consider microchipping them, and make sure your contact information is up-to-date.
• Practice your emergency plan.

Online templates are available to assist you in your planning. For example, FEMA offers this Family Emergency Plan Template to collect contact information, meeting place locations and more in one place.

How to Build a Survival Kit

Having a survival kit on hand can be helpful if you have to evacuate quickly or to help take care of your family’s basic needs until power is restored, roadways are safe for travel or until emergency help arrives if needed.

• Water (1 gallon per person, per day)
• Non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food
• Weather radio
• Flashlight
• Batteries
• First aid kit
• Medications (7-day supply) and medical items
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Multi-purpose tool
• Manual can opener
• Cell phones with chargers
• Family and emergency contact information
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
• Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID tag, carrier, food, bowl, medicines)
• Games and activities for children
• Two-way radios
• Extra set of keys to house and car
• Extra clothing
• Extra cash

Stock your kit with enough food, water and other essentials to last for at least 72 hours for evacuations. For an at-home survival kit, include enough for a 2-week supply of all items.

You should also consider making copies of the following documents to keep in each kit:

• Medication list and medical information
• Health records
• Proof of address
• Passports/birth certificates
• Insurance policies
• Deed/lease to home

For more suggestions on what to include or to purchase first aid kits and supplies, visit RedCross.org.

How to Protect Your Family and Property from Hurricanes

Along the Gulf Coast, hurricanes are one of the more common severe weather threats. Hurricane season begins June 1, peaks around late August to early September and ends November 30. These potentially powerful and deadly storms are marked by heavy rainfall, flooding, high winds and tornadoes.

After a hurricane forms, it can take time to make its way to landfall, giving you time to make these preparations that will help keep your family safe and minimize damage to your property.

• Follow storm updates from the National Weather Service via apps, NOAA weather radio or local news sources.
• Check your survival kit and add or restock supplies as needed.
• Bring in unsecured items from the outdoors (bikes, patio furniture, flower pots).
• Close windows, doors and hurricane shutters. Or use ¾-inch plywood boards to protect your home’s doors and windows.
• Put your refrigerator and freezer on the coldest setting, and keep them close so food can stay fresh longer should the power go out.
• Turn off all utilities (gas, electricity, water).
• Unplug small appliances.
• Fill your car’s gas tank.
• Make arrangements for pets.
• Create an evacuation plan, including the route you will follow or the shelter where you will go.

For more hurricane preparedness tips, including what to do after the storm passes, visit RedCross.org. Also see our Flood Safety section on how to take precautions against flooding to help prevent damage.

How to Protect Your Family and Property from Tornadoes

Tornadoes are a unique threat in that they can form very quickly and cause death and destruction with very little warning. They can develop alongside thunderstorms, tropical storms or hurricanes. The best course of action is to monitor weather updates and be vigilant in your preparation so your disaster response plan can be enacted without hesitation.

Tornadoes can strike at any time, but their peak activity in our area is March through May. Especially during these times, keep these following tips in mind when making plans to protect your family and your property.

• Follow storm updates from the National Weather Service via apps, NOAA weather radio or local news sources.
• Check your survival kit and add or restock supplies as needed.
• Know your community’s warning system.
• Pick a safe room in your house, preferably an interior room on the lowest level of your home with no windows.
• Prepare for high winds by removing diseased and damaged limbs from trees.
• Move or bring in unsecured items from the outdoors (bikes, patio furniture, flower pots, trash cans, etc.).
• Watch for listen for these danger signs: dark, greenish clouds, funnel clouds, large hail and a roaring noise.

For more information on how to prepare for a tornado, take shelter or what to do after the storm, visit RedCross.org.

Review Your Insurance Policy

Check in with your agent to do a regular review of your insurance policy. Once a year is recommended to make sure you have adequate protection in advance of any potential natural disaster. Not only is this a wise storm preparation tip, but also this can serve as a good reminder to update your coverage to reflect any major recent purchases or property renovations.

Additional Preparedness Resources

For even more information about government resources, how to locate family members after a disaster and avoiding scams, see our Severe Weather section.

Report a Claim

If you have been affected by a disaster and need assistance, First Baldwin Insurance is here to help guide you through the claims process. You can file a claim online or call 251-943-6677.