Your family's disaster plan should be based on your vulnerability to hurricane hazards. You should keep a written plan and share it with other friends or family.

1. Discuss the types of hazards that could affect your family. Know your home's vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind.


2. Locate a safe room or safest areas in your home for each hurricane hazard. In certain circumstances, the safest areas might not be inyour home but within your community.


3. Determine escape routes from your home and places to meet. These should be measured in tens of miles rather than hundreds of miles.


4. Designate an out-of-state friend as a family contact, so all your family members have a single point of contact.


5. Make a plan now for what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate.


6. Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones and make sure your children know how and when to call 911.


7. Check your insurance coverage - flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners insurance.


8. Stock non-perishable emergency supplies and a disaster supply kit.


9. Use a NOAA weather radio. Remember to replace its battery every 6 months, as you do with your smoke detectors.


10. Take first aid, CPR and disaster preparedness classes.

Check hurricane protection tips