A few decisions made now can make a warning easier to act on later.
1. Get the warning
Keep emergency alerts enabled on your phone, identify your local National Weather Service office and county emergency management agency, and have a second way to receive information if mobile service fails. A battery-powered weather radio is one option.
2. Decide where to go
Choose a shelter location on the lowest level of a sturdy building, away from windows, for tornado warnings. For flood risk, know a route to higher ground and never drive through floodwater. Make a plan for children, older adults, pets and anyone who needs power for medical equipment.
3. Put essentials together
- Water, ready-to-eat food, needed medications and a first-aid kit.
- Charged power banks, flashlights, batteries and copies of important contacts.
- Identification, insurance information, cash and supplies for pets or infants.
- Weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes.
4. Prepare for an outage
Charge devices when severe weather is forecast. Know how to report an outage to your utility and where to find its official outage map. Use generators only outdoors and away from doors, windows and vents; never use a generator or grill indoors.
5. Recheck the plan
Practice how your household will communicate and where you will meet if separated. Refresh supplies and emergency contacts regularly. When conditions change, follow local officials and official NWS alerts rather than assuming a map layer is current at your address.
More guidance: Ohio EMA preparedness resources · Ready.gov · AR Storm Tracker