Get Tech Savy

Download the FEMA app. Receive weather alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five different locations anywhere in the United States. Sign up for FEMA text messages. Use your cell phone’s text messaging capability to receive text message updates from FEMA (standard message and data rates apply).

Here are basic commands to get started:

To sign up to receive preparedness tips: text PREPARE to 43362.To search for open shelters (for disaster survivors): text SHELTER and a ZipCode to 43362
List of all keywords you can subscribe to: text LIST to 43362
To unsubscribe (at any time): text STOP to 43362.Before a disaster, follow local government on social media to stay up-to-date with official information before, during, and after a disaster. Sign up for Twitter Alerts from trusted government agencies to get notified when critical information goes out. Visit the Alerts setup page of the agency you want to receive notifications from (ex: twitter.com/fema/alerts).

Make a plan

Use text messages, social media and email to connect with friends and
family during emergencies. Mobile networks can become overwhelmed during emergencies, making it difficult to place and receive phone calls. Text messages require less bandwidth, which means they are able to be transmitted more reliably during situations when many people are trying to use their mobile phones at the same time. Social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter can also be an effective way to update family and friends during emergencies. Facebook’s Safety Check feature allows users to easily post a status
update indicating that they are safe during a time of disaster. Register with American Red Cross’s Safe & Well site to let family and friends know you’re okay.. After registering, you can select a message to let family and friends know you’re OK. Concerned family and friends can search this list to find their loved one’s first name, last name, an “as of date” and the “safe
and well” message. Have an emergency charging option for your phone and other mobile devices. Smartphones have become a vital tool to receive emergency alerts and warnings, so it’s important to make sure you can keep them powered up in an
emergency.

The best way to prepare for a disaster is to be prepared for a disaster before it is needed. Be prepared both spiritually and physically. If you stay ready you won’t have to get ready. STAY READY!