Wherever you live, it's a good idea to have supplies on hand and to develop a plan to cope with natural disasters, especially weather-related events. Keep emergency supplies on hand at all times, in your home as well as your vehicle, and be prepared. Here are some essential tips:

• Keep emergency supplies in your vehicle, including a blanket, water, flares, etc., and keep the gas tank filled.
• Keep enough emergency supplies in your home to sustain the family and pets for at least three days. These should include bottled water, emergency meals (such as freeze-dried food packets or food bars), emergency pet food, a first-aid kit, flashlight, blankets, batteries, a battery-powered radio, and chargers for any electronic devices. Ideally, you should have a generator as a backup in the event of an electricity outage.
• Change your flashlight batteries when you set your clocks forward in the spring and when you set them back in the fall. It's a good way to remember when to do it.
• Know the NOAA Weather Radio stations in your area and listen for the latest status reports.
• If high winds are expected, bring in objects that could get wind-tossed, such as lawn furniture and the barbecue grill. If you must evacuate due to hurricane-type weather, unplug small appliances, turn off any propane tank, and board up windows and doors, if you have time.
• Plan a route out of the area if you're forced to evacuate--and don't wait until the last minute to leave.