The destruction in Texas is a reminder that Maryland is still in hurricane season. Marylanders should prepare for hurricanes and tropical storms now, before a storm hits. Follow the tips below to prepare yourself and your family.

• Prepare an emergency kit including food, water, a flashlight, batteries, cash, first aid supplies, medication, and copies of your critical information in case you need to evacuate.
• Create a family communications plan. Get together with your family to agree on the ways to contact one another in an emergency and to identify meeting locations.
• Familiarize yourself with hurricane evacuation routes in your area and how to find higher ground. Determine where you would go and how you would get there if you need to evacuate.
• Consider installing an outdoor generator for emergency backup power.
• Make sure your pets are prepared. Include food and water for pets in your emergency kit.
• Sign up for text or email alerts for emergency notifications. The Maryland Prepares mobile app, created by the Maryland Emergency Management Agency, gives real-time emergency alerts. Download now: http://mema.maryland.gov/Pages/mdprepares.aspx.
• For additional information on how to prepare, visit:
  • https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes
  • http://mema.maryland.gov/Pages/resources-hurricane.aspx
  • https://preparedness.health.maryland.gov/

Emergency Contact Numbers

Keep these numbers handy in case of emergency: