Now is the time to get ready. September is recognized as National Preparedness Month and serves as a reminder for people to prepare for disasters and weather events most likely to impact their community.

This year many communities across the country have experienced more intense storms, heavier rain, higher temperatures, severe droughts, and record-setting wildfires.

“For the past two years, COVID-19 has significantly disrupted our lives, so take the time to reassess and readdress your preparedness plans and see if they are still applicable to the life changes you have experienced or your current life,” said Stephanie Murphy, Tidal Basin Vice President of Preparedness, Resiliency, and Emergency Management.

This year’s theme is A Lasting Legacy: The life you’ve built is worth protecting. Therefore, Tidal Basin recommends you make readiness a priority this month and create a lasting legacy for you and your family.

Tidal Basin has created this video series which features various subject matter experts sharing their preparedness plans for the disasters that impact their communities.

Week 1: Wildfire Preparedness

Allen Davis, Director of Recovery

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Week 2: Hurricane Preparedness

Luis Avila,Vice President, Mitigation

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Week 3: Flooding Preparedness

Ashlee Delventhal, Senior Director of Preparedness, Resiliency, and Emergency Management

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Week 4: Hurricane Preparedness (Spanish)

Maria Judith Amador, directora senior de mitigación

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Week 5: Tornado Preparedness

Jacob Gray, Senior Director of Mitigation

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Additional Resources from the American Red Cross

How to get ready

Help keep your family safe during disasters by taking three simple actions:

  1. Get a Kit
  2. Make a Plan
  3. Be Informed.

First, build youremergency kitwith a gallon of water per person, per day, non-perishable food, a flashlight, battery-powered radio, first aid kit, medications, supplies for infants or pets, a multi-purpose tool, personal hygiene items, copies of important papers, cell phone chargers, blankets, maps of the area and emergency contact information.

Next,planwhat to do in case you are separated from your family during an emergency and what to do if you have to evacuate. Coordinate your plan with your child’s school, your work and your community’s emergency plans.Do not forget to include your pets. Remember, if you and your family need to evacuate, so does your pet. Plan in advance to know which pet-friendly hotels are in your area, and where your pets can stay in an emergency situation.

Finally, plan tostay informedby finding out how local officials will contact you during a disaster and how you will get important information, such as evacuation orders.