Forecasters are predicting an above normal hurricane season this year. They expect 11-17 named storms, with up to four storms developing into major hurricanes. Despite these predictions,  there’s no guarantee about how many hurricanes will hit landfall or how destructive they may be. Hurricane season has officially started, so take the time today to make sure your family is prepared.

Make a Family Emergency Plan

You may not be with your family when bad weather hits, so make sure to have a plan that outlines what everyone should do in an emergency.

Decide on emergency meeting locations that are safe and​ accessible for everyone in your family.  You might select your house as one option, but it’s also a good idea to have a backup location in mind in case your home is no longer safe. Consider places like a community center, library or place of worship in a nearby town.

Remember to keep furry family members in mind as you make your plan. Many shelters don’t allow pets, so choose a safe location where everyone is welcome.

Learn Evacuation Routes

Always follow the advice of local authorities, including evacuation orders. Before a natural disaster, review evacuation routes for your area and plan a path that works best for your family.

Include a Communications List

An important part of every family emergency plan is communication. Think about how your family will stay in touch if cell phones, land lines and the internet don’t work.

Everyone in your family should have a contact card that can be kept in a wallet, purse or backpack. It should contain a list of emergency phone numbers and other important contacts. Don’t rely solely on a cell phone to store this information. If the phone becomes lost or damaged, you could lose some very important information.

Include a contact to serve as your family’s communication hub during a hurricane. Make sure everyone knows to contact this person to let them know they are safe. Ideally, this emergency contact should live out of state or  far away from the coast, in an area unlikely to be affected by a hurricane.

If you already have a communications list, it’s a great time to review it and make any necessary updates.