One of the best ways to be prepared for severe weather situations is to have an established family emergency plan put together.

If your family does have an emergency plan in place, practice that plan regularly and especially at the beginning of different weather seasons so everyone knows exactly what to do.

If a family emergency has not been created, here are some suggestions to take into consideration when creating it:

1. How will emergency alerts and warnings be received?

Today’s technology makes it easier to receive emergency alerts and warnings on our smartphones. Through Google or any one of a number of weather apps, you can quickly receive emergency alerts, providing you extra time in severe weather situations. Also, warnings and alerts are also still broadcast over radio and TV.

2. What type of storm shelter is available?

When living in an area where tornadoes are common, ideally, the best shelter is in the lowest part of your home, preferably a basement if you have one. If a basement is not available, the next best place is an interior room on the lowest level that is away from corners, windows, doors and outside walls. Tornadoes aren’t the only weather circumstance that requires shelter, and you can educate yourself about other situations that call for them by visiting ready.gov.

3. What is your evacuation route?

Have you identified several evacuation routes in the event of hurricanes, flooding or fires, which could force you from your home in a hurry? It’s wise to have multiple routes just in case one is impassable, and always be sure to find out if there are places to stay with your pets along the way if you have furry family members evacuating with you.

4. How will everyone stay in touch?

We rely on our cell phones for many things, making it is easy to keep in touch with family, but in some circumstances, that just will not be possible. Weather can knock out cell phone towers, phones could be lost or left behind or if there is no power, batteries will not be able to be recharged.

Your family will need an emergency communication plan in place as well as a safe meeting place so that everyone can meet there if separated.

If a storm does cause damage to your home or business, don’t hesitate to call your friends at SERVPRO® of Kingston/New Paltz to get the cleanup and restoration process started.