Survival plan builder

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Household communication plan

• Text instead of calling — short messages get through congested networks more reliably.
• Enable Wireless Emergency Alerts on every phone in the household.
• Keep a battery or hand-crank radio, and a NOAA Weather Radio if possible.
• Agree on two daily check-in times so silence between them is not treated as an emergency.
• Choose an out-of-area contact this week — local circuits often fail first. Everyone reports to that one person.

Emergency contact checklist

• Printed contact card in every wallet, backpack and vehicle.
• 911 for life-threatening emergencies; 2-1-1 Virginia for non-emergency assistance and referrals.
• Your municipal emergency management office and alert signup.
• Utility outage reporting number for electricity, gas and water.
• Insurance policy numbers and claim line.

Two meeting places

• Pick a near-home meeting place (end of the block, a neighbor's driveway) for sudden events like a house fire.
• Pick an out-of-neighborhood meeting place outside the flood and evacuation area, in case you cannot return home.
• Walk or drive to both with the whole household at least once so everyone recognizes them.

Evacuation checklist

• Look up your official evacuation zone at VDEM Know Your Zone today; do not guess from flood memory.
• Plan two routes out and assume a bridge-tunnel may be closed.
• Leave early when officials order evacuation. Late departures are the ones that get stranded.
• Take medications, documents, chargers, cash and go-bags.
• Turn around, don't drown — never drive through standing water or around barricades.
• Keep the tank at least half full during hurricane season; charge EVs early.
• Carry a paper map of the region and printed directions to your destination.
• Check FEMA's Flood Map Service Center and your locality's flood information to resolve your risk.

Shelter-in-place checklist

• Choose an interior room away from windows on the appropriate level for the hazard.
• Close and lock all doors and windows; locking seals them more tightly.
• Turn off HVAC, fans and outside-air intake when officials direct it, and close the fireplace damper.
• Stage water, medications, radio, flashlight and phone chargers in that room.
• Stay in place until officials announce it is safe — do not go outside to check.
• For high winds use the lowest interior level; for chemical hazards use an upper interior room as directed.

Power and heating safety

• No backup power: charge phones and battery banks ahead of forecast storms and plan for the outage to outlast them.
• Install carbon-monoxide alarms with battery backup on every level of the home.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer closed; discard refrigerated food above 40°F for more than four hours.

Medication plan

• Even without daily prescriptions, keep basic over-the-counter medicines and a stocked first aid kit.

Pet plan

• No pets recorded. If that changes, add carriers, records, food and a pet-friendly destination to the plan.

Accessibility and care considerations

• No specific access or care needs recorded — revisit if your household changes.

Document backup checklist

• Waterproof container with copies of IDs, insurance, deeds or lease, and medical records.
• Encrypted digital backup on a drive or trusted account.
• Photos of your home and belongings for insurance claims.
• Cash in small bills — card readers and ATMs fail with power and network.

7-day supply recommendations

• Water: about 14 gallons for 2 people at one gallon per person per day for 7 days.
• Food: roughly 42 shelf-stable meals, plus a manual can opener.
• You report 3 days on hand — build toward 7 days first, a few items per grocery trip.
• Sanitation: trash bags, hygiene supplies, wipes and a sanitation plan for lost water pressure.
• Lighting: battery flashlights or headlamps for each person; avoid candles.