Emergency Ready: getting ready, one small step at a time

In an emergency, call 911 first. If you're deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability, call 911 directly by voice or TTY, or text 911 where available. TTY users should call 911 directly, not through 711. If none of those work, a video or internet relay service can still connect you to 911. Text-to-911 isn't available everywhere. Sources: FCC: 711 relay and FCC: text to 911.

Not an emergency service. Not a doctor. Not legal advice. This page shares general information and links to official sources. Always follow instructions from local officials and emergency services.

Scam safety: Never tap links or call numbers from a surprise text, email, call, or chat message offering disaster aid or asking for money. Look up the official number yourself, like the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 (relay: dial 711), and report scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

1. Making a plan together

   • Talk with the people you live with about what you'd each do. Short and simple is fine.
   • Think about each person's needs: ages, medicines, care for children, and pets.
   • Plan with neighbors, friends or family so you can help each other.
   • Sign up for your community's alerts. A NOAA Weather Radio can also give alerts.
   • More help: Ready.gov: make a plan.

   Staying in touch when phones or internet are down

   • Make sure everyone in your household knows how to send a text.
   • When networks are busy, try a text instead of a call. A text may get through when a call doesn't, even if it arrives a little late.
   • Keep calls short, and wait a few seconds before you try a call again.
   • Keep a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, or a NOAA Weather Radio, in your kit. NOAA Weather Radio shares official warnings and alerts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
   • Some people also install an offline messaging app, like Briar (Android) or Bridgefy, before an emergency. Set it up and add contacts ahead of time, and don't send private information through it.
   • More help: FCC: communicating during emergencies, Ready.gov: emergency alerts and NWS: NOAA Weather Radio.

2. Building a kit, pets too

   You can build it a little at a time. Keep it in one or two easy-to-carry containers.

   • Water: one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and washing.
   • Food that won't spoil, for several days, and a manual can opener.
   • A battery-powered or hand-crank radio, a flashlight, extra batteries, and a first aid kit.
   • A phone charger and a backup battery, and a whistle to signal for help.
   • Your medicines, glasses, and copies of important papers in a waterproof bag.
   • Kits for home, work and the car, because you can't know where you'll be.
   • Check it once a year and replace anything that's expired.

   For your pets

   • Several days of food and water, a bowl, and any medicine they take.
   • A collar with an ID tag, a leash, and a carrier or crate.
   • A photo of you with your pet, and copies of their records.
   • Many public shelters and hotels don't allow pets, so know a safe place you can take them.
   • More help: Ready.gov: build a kit and Ready.gov: pets.

3. Staying safe in a tornado

   • Decide on your safe spot ahead of time, so you don't have to think about it later.
   • The best place is a safe room or storm shelter. The next best is a small, windowless room inside, or a basement, on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.
   • Include your pets in your plan.
   • If you live in a mobile home, leave it and go to a sturdy building or shelter.
   • If you're in a car, drive to a sturdy shelter if you can.
   • If you can't, stay buckled in, keep your head below the windows and cover it. Or, if you can safely get lower than the road, go there and cover your head.
   • More from the National Weather Service: NWS: during a tornado.
   • Follow alerts from the National Weather Service.
   • More help: Ready.gov: tornadoes.

4. Winter storms and driving

   • A Winter Storm Watch means a storm is possible. A Winter Storm Warning means it's happening or about to, so find shelter.
   • Test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, and keep supplies for a few days at home.
   • Keep a car kit: jumper cables, sand, a flashlight, warm clothes, blankets, water and snacks. Keep a full tank of gas.
   • It's okay to stay home. Stay off the roads if you can.
   • If you're stuck in your car, stay inside it.
   • Avoid overdoing it when shoveling snow. Learn the signs of frostbite and hypothermia.
   • If heating bills are hard to pay, ask about the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
   • More help: Ready.gov: winter weather.

5. Power outages and generators

   Keeping food safe

   • Keep the fridge and freezer doors closed.
   • The fridge keeps food safe for up to 4 hours.
   • A full freezer holds its temperature for about 48 hours, or about 24 hours if it's half full.
   • Throw out fridge food like meat, milk, eggs or leftovers that has been above 40°F for 2 hours or more (USDA). Never taste food to check it. When in doubt, throw it out.
   • More help: USDA: keep your food safe during emergencies.

   Using a generator safely

   • Carbon monoxide is a gas you can't see or smell, and it can kill people and pets.
   • Use generators, camp stoves and charcoal grills only outdoors, at least 20 feet from windows, doors and attached garages.
   • Never heat your home with a gas stove or oven.
   • Put working carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home.
   • Keep the generator dry. A wet generator can cause an electric shock.
   • More help: Ready.gov: power outages.

6. Help when you travel abroad

   • Before you go, sign up for the free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at step.state.gov. It sends you alerts and helps the embassy reach you.
   • If something goes wrong, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate first.
   • If you can't reach them, call the State Department: 1-888-407-4747 from the U.S. and Canada (relay: dial 711), or +1-202-501-4444 from other countries.
   • Texts and messaging apps may work even when calls don't. Let family know you're safe.
   • Outside the U.S., 911 may not work. In Italy and the rest of the European Union, the emergency number is 112.
   • More help: State Department: help abroad.

7. Getting disaster aid safely

   • FEMA doesn't charge for disaster help, inspections or help with applications.
   • Real FEMA staff wear a photo ID badge. A FEMA shirt or jacket isn't proof.
   • Don't give bank details to anyone who says they're a FEMA inspector.
   • Apply only at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 (relay: dial 711). If you use video relay or captioned phone service, give FEMA that number.
   • To check if someone is really from FEMA, call the FEMA Helpline yourself.
   • More help: FEMA: beware of fraud and scams.

8. Phone lines

   • Emergency: 911. Call 911 directly by voice or TTY, or text 911 where available. TTY users should call 911 directly, not through 711. If none of those work, a video or internet relay service can still connect you to 911.
   • FEMA Helpline: 1-800-621-3362 (relay: dial 711)
   • State Department, from the U.S. and Canada: 1-888-407-4747 (relay: dial 711)
   • State Department, from other countries: +1-202-501-4444

9. Official links

   • Get ready (ready.gov)
   • Apply for disaster help (disasterassistance.gov)
   • Weather alerts (weather.gov)
   • Food safety in emergencies (usda.gov)
   • Text to 911 (fcc.gov)
   • 711 relay service (fcc.gov)
   • Help abroad (state.gov)
   • Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (state.gov)
   • 112 emergency number in the EU (europa.eu)
   • En español (listo.gov)