How to Prepare
If you live in coastal Virginia, know your hurricane evacuation zone for both your home and your workplace by visiting www.KnowYourZoneVA.org. For the rest of Virginia, learn more at www.vaemergency.gov/hurricanes. Download Virginia’s 2018 Hurricane Preparedness Guide and read more about flooding, tornadoes and other associated threats.
Know your risk for inland or coastal flooding, and take steps to mitigate that risk. Obtain flood insurance now. Regular homeowners insurance does not cover flooding. Remember, it takes 30 days for a flood insurance policy to become effective. FEMA does not provide comprehensive disaster funding to repair homes that flooded but didn’t have insurance. Visit www.floodsmart.gov or talk to your insurance agent about low-cost flood insurance policy options. Learn more about becoming flood ready at http://www.vaemergency.gov/prepare-recover/threat/floods/.
Have a family and business emergency plan that includes decisions on whether, how and where to evacuate, or how to safely shelter in place. Don’t have a plan? Learn what to include athttp://www.vaemergency.gov/prepare-recover/make-emergency-plan/.
Assemble an emergency kit that includes non-perishable food, water, sanitary supplies, cell phones, radios and extra batteries and important documents. Learn more about what to have in your kit at http://www.vaemergency.gov/emergency-kit/.