Your Kit / Your Plan

Your Kit / Your Plan

Be Ready: Follow The “Steps to Safety” 

Glynn County EMA works closely with our federal, state, and local partners to prepare for virtually all hazards, natural or manmade, that could affect Glynn County families, communities, and businesses.

There are also things you can do to prepare for the unexpected and reduce the stress you may feel should an emergency arise.

For Glynn County residents, the basics of preparedness for virtually all hazards are the same. Following these steps and being ready NOW means you will be ready for virtually any disaster or crisis that may affect our community

Everyone should follow Steps One, Two, Three, and Four below. Steps Five and Six will help bring your readiness to the next level. Get started NOW, BEFORE a disaster takes place!


Step One: Pre-season Preparedness

The hurricane season is from June 1 through November 30. There are several basic precautions you should take before each hurricane season begins. Check these items off as you complete them.

  • Learn the storm surge history and possibilities in your area.
  • Know the elevation of your property.
  • Know the evacuation zone in which you live.
  • Decide on a destination ahead of time and make sure everyone knows that destination.
  • Have a point of contact (telephone number) away from the danger area where relatives can call to check on you, i.e., a relative or friend.
  • Review your insurance policies, homeowners do not cover flood damage.
  • Purchase flood insurance from your agent.
  • Take an inventory of your personal property for insurance and/or tax deduction reasons and keep it in a safe place. If possible, take pictures or video your belongings.
  • Keep your immunizations for tetanus up to date.
  • Make sure your house is in good repair, especially the roof and windows.
  • Trim back dead wood from trees.
  • Make sure you have a good portable radio, several flashlights, spare batteries, and bulbs.
  • Buy materials to board your windows and doors. Have it cut to size and identified as to where it will be used beforehand.
  • Purchase a can of lime to sterilize garbage and refuse.
  • Keep the family car in good repair.
  • Keep important papers, pictures, and keepsakes in a box ready to move on short notice.

Step Two: "Get A Kit" of Emergency Supplies

 

Items For Your Home:

  • Three days' supply of canned, non-perishable, ready-to-eat FOOD
  • Three days' supply of WATER (a total of three gallons per family member)
  • Battery-operated RADIO and extra batteries
  • FLASHLIGHT and extra batteries
  • One week's prescription MEDICATIONS
  • FIRST AID KIT
  • Personal TOILETRIES
  • Non-electric CAN OPENER and UTENSILS
  • SPECIAL NEEDS items:
    • INFANT care items
    • Items for ELDERLY family members
    • Items for relatives with DISABILITIES
  • CASH or TRAVELERS CHECKS
  • Store important DOCUMENTS in a waterproof, safe location

In Case You Need to Evacuate:

  • Keep your vehicle's gas level at a minimum of half-a-tank. 
  • Every family member must carry CONTACT INFORMATION:
    • All phone numbers at work, school, etc. for every family member
    • The name and number of a relative who lives out-of-state, to call in case your family gets separated.

These are the basics.

Does your community need emergency supply lists and disaster information in multiple languages? Visit the American Red Cross Disaster and Safety Library to assist in preparing your home, school, and workplace in multiple languages.

Step Three: "Make A Plan" for Yourself, Your Family, or Your Business

 

Establish a predetermined meeting place away from your home. Having a pre-arranged place to meet can save time and minimize confusion should your home be affected, or the area evacuated. This may even be the home of a friend or relative. 

Choose an out-of-state contact your family members will call or email to check on each other, should a disaster occur. Make sure every family member has that person’s contact information. 

Collect contact information for your family:

  • phone (work, cell, office)
  • email
  • social media
  • medical facilities, doctors, service providers
  • school
  • Complete a contact card for each family member. Everyone should keep these cards with them at all times.
  • Make sure all your family members know how to text. Make sure everyone knows how to turn on a cell phone, find the text messaging app, type a message, and send it to a contact.

Find the safe spots in your home for each type of disaster. For example, during a tornado, you would need to seek shelter in a lower-level room without windows.

PRACTICE. Review these plans with all members of your family. Practice your disaster plans by running drills with the whole family.

Learn how and when to turn off the water, gas, and electricity at the main shut-off locations.

Show each family member how to use a fire extinguisher and show them where it's kept.

If you have Disabilities or other Special Needs:

If you Do Not Own a Car or Cannot Drive:

  • Visit the need-a-ride page for details on evacuation plans for transit-dependent individuals.
  • Make plans with a neighbor who does drive.

If you have Pets:

  • Disaster shelters may not accept pets other than ADA assistance animals. You must plan accordingly.
  • Visit this page for details on pet preparedness.

Learn More

Visit the American Red Cross Make a Disaster Preparedness Plan web page for more information and in multiple languages.

Step Four: "Stay Informed" of Possible Threats

 

It is important to know about the risks that may happen in your community and to know whether an emergency is imminent or is already taking place.

Review all the material on the Glynn County EMA webpage and follow the Glynn County EMA Facebook page

  • Learn about the warning signals that will be used in Glynn County.
    • Sign up for CodeRed emergency alerts.
  • Learn about the local radio and TV stations you should tune into for emergency alerts and official instructions.

Learn about the disaster plans for your Workplace, your children's School or Day Care Center, and Other Places where your family spends time.

Keep track of Current Weather Forecasts and Alerts with: 

Congratulations! 

You and your family have now completed the steps for basic all-hazards preparedness. This should give you a level of confidence during emergencies - but never forget Step Four. Stay Informed by listening for emergency watches and warnings, or for instructions from public safety officials. By staying informed you remain a vital partner in your family's security. 

To bring your preparedness to the next level, you can refer to the following steps:

Step Five: Financial Preparedness

 

FEMA Financial Preparedness Page - Preparing Financially for a Disaster. 

Step Six: Get Tech Ready

 

According to The American Red Cross, the internet - including online news sites and social media platforms - is the third most popular way for Americans to gather emergency information and let their loved ones know they are safe.

Through the use of everyday technology, individuals, families, responders, and organizations can successfully prepare for, adapt to, and recover from disruptions brought on by emergencies and/or disasters. With effective planning, it is possible to take advantage of technology before, during, and after a crisis to communicate with loved ones and manage your financial affairs.

Read more on the Ready.Gov Get Tech Ready web page.