Are You Prepared for the Storm?

September is National Emergency Preparedness month. This is going to hit home for many
stationed along the east coast, where hurricane season is long and can run from June to
November.

Growing up it was a regular occurrence to have friends and family threatened by oncoming
storms to board up their homes, pack up and head inland to safe ground. Today is no different.
For those of us in the military, our friends quickly become our family and we all face these
threats together.

Don’t forget to check on your military friends as many have settled from PCS season, but are
now preparing for storm season. Just a quick message, phone call, or simply sharing these
preparedness tips, can go a long way in ensuring the safety of military families.

If you are living in an area that is frequently hit by storms, or just moved to an area that is hit
annually with bad weather, are you prepared? Preparation is key for dealing with any natural
disasters.

The best way to prepare for any disaster is to have a plan. The National Hurricane Center offers
up these great tips:

Step 1: Put together a plan by discussing these 4 questions with your family, friends, or
household to start your emergency plan.

1. How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?
2. What is my shelter plan?
3. What is my evacuation route?
4. What is my family/household communication plan?

Step 2: Consider specific needs in your household, like medications and pet needs.

Step 3: Download and fill out a Family Emergency Plan or use it as a guide to create your own.

Step 4: Practice your plan with your family/household.

Ensure you read a full breakdown of each step.

Work on building a Basic Disaster Supplies Kit – You can download a printable version of the kit
and a recommended supplies list. Try to have enough supplies to last your family 72 hours.

Some recommended supplies are:
Water – one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days
Food – at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
Flashlight
First aid kit
Extra batteries
Whistle to signal for help
Cell phone with chargers and a backup batteries

Hurricane season can be a scary time for all, but equipping yourself and your family with
knowledge will help tremendously. Armed Forces Insurance is here for you and wants to make
sure you and your family are completely prepared for every situation!

Check out AFI’s Apps That Can Help During a Storm. Download them to your phone to stay
connected and protect your family.

As a military family, you need insurance that matches your needs and protects what you value
most. You deserve an insurance company that is committed to serving you. MilHousing Network
is proud to partner with Armed Forces Insurance to bring military families reliable homeowner’s
insurance options when buying a home. Contact them today at 800-313-1936 or visit
www.afi.org/milhousing to learn how they can support your unique military lifestyle.