Every September, the Federal Emergency Management Agency marks National Preparedness Month. The campaign, which started in 2004, gives families, businesses and communities a reason to stop and think about what they would do if disaster struck close to home.

For Fairfax County residents, that means thinking through the hazards most likely to affect Northern Virginia. Severe thunderstorms, flash flooding, winter storms, extreme heat and the tail end of hurricane season can all disrupt daily life with little warning. National Preparedness Month is a good time to make sure your household has a plan.
 

Know Your Risk

Start by thinking about what could happen where you live and work. Fairfax County deals with a range of hazards throughout the year, including:

• Severe thunderstorms with damaging wind and lightning
• Flash flooding, especially near streams and low-lying roads
• Winter weather, including ice and snow
• Extreme heat during the summer months
• Remnants of tropical storms and hurricanes moving up the East Coast

Knowing which hazards are most likely to affect your home helps you decide what to plan for first.
 

Make a Plan

A family emergency plan does not have to be complicated. At a minimum, it should cover:

• How household members will contact each other if phone lines are down
• A meeting place if you cannot get home
• An out-of-town contact who can relay messages
• Plans for children, older adults, pets and anyone with medical needs

Write the plan down and keep a copy where everyone can find it. Review it with your family so everyone knows what to do.
 

Build a Kit

A basic emergency kit should include enough supplies to last at least three days without power or running water. Consider including:

• Water, about one gallon per person per day
• Non-perishable food
• A flashlight and extra batteries
• A battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• A first aid kit
• Copies of important documents, such as insurance papers and identification
• Any medications household members need regularly
• Supplies for pets, including food and water

Keep the kit somewhere easy to grab quickly and check it every few months to replace expired items.
 

Stay Informed

Knowing about a storm or emergency before it arrives gives you more time to act. Fairfax County residents can sign up for Fairfax Alerts, the county’s official emergency notification system, at fairfaxcounty.gov/ Fairfax Alerts sends time-sensitive messages about severe weather, road closures, evacuations and other emergencies straight to your phone or email.

You can also follow the National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington office for forecasts and warnings, and check our Storm Center for updates from county agencies during an active emergency.
 

Get Involved

National Preparedness Month is not only about individual readiness. Talk with neighbors about how you would check on each other during an emergency. If you have older relatives or neighbors with limited mobility, ask if they have a plan and offer to help them build one.

Throughout September, Fairfax County will share preparedness tips and resources to help residents take these steps. The most important one is signing up for Fairfax Alerts at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/alerts, so you get the information you need when it matters most.