Be Prepared for a Hurricane
Being prepared for any emergency requires planning. If you are able to stay at home, electricity, water, heat, air conditioning, telephone service and
transportation could be disrupted or lost for some time. Emergency management planners suggest having food, water, medications and other essentials on hand to last your family for three to five days. Learn more about how to prepare your emergency kit, develop an emergency plan, and stay informed during a hurricane emergency.
- Get the facts about hurricane preparedness from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM).
- Learn how people with special needs can prepare for an emergency.
- Download the Virginia Business Emergency Toolkit to learn how businesses can prepare for weather emergencies.
- Find out how to be prepared for any emergency from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
- Follow hurricane updates from the National Hurricane Center.
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For general information, call 703.746.4800.
Understanding Storm Messages
Listening to the weather forecast, it is important to understand the meaning of watches and warnings.
- HURRICANE WATCH: Hurricane conditions are possible, usually within 36 hours.
- HURRICANE WARNING: Hurricane conditions are expected, usually within 24 hours.
- SHORT-TERM WATCHES AND WARNINGS: provide detailed information on specific hurricane threats, such as tornadoes, floods, and high winds.
During a Watch
- Listen to radio, TV, or NOAA Weather Radio for official bulletins of the storm's progress.
- Updates about City services and programs will be posted on the City's website and sent to the media for broadcast.
- Fuel and service your vehicles.
- Prepare to bring lawn furniture and other loose, lightweight objects inside.
During a Warning
- Closely monitor radio, TV, or NOAA Weather Radio for official bulletins.
- Follow instructions issued by local officials. Leave immediately if told to do so!
- Turn the refrigerator to maximum cold and open only when necessary.
- Fill bathtub and large containers with water for sanitary purposes.
- If winds become strong, stay away from windows and doors. Go to an interior first-floor room such as a bathroom or closet. Close all interior doors and brace external doors.
Additional Hurricane Preparedness Tips
- Meet with neighbors to plan how the neighborhood can work together.
- Identify the elderly and disabled who may need help with transportation and medical concerns.
- Keep a first aid kit, medications, eyeglasses and hearing aid batteries on hand.
- Teach children how to reach family members in case they become separated during a storm.
- Discuss how to dial emergency numbers, and practice escape routes from all rooms with your children. The emergency number for fire, police, and ambulance in Alexandria is 911.
