You’ve created a well-stocked emergency kit. Your home and the surrounding area are safe. Here’s what to do when the heavy rains and fierce winds begin.
 
Protect your Power

According to FEMA, a backup generator is an essential part of a home emergency kit. Consider investing in one to ensure you have electric power during an extended outage.

• Portable generators: take them out of storage, fuel them up and make sure they run in advance of a storm. Ensure you have enough fuel to get you through a few days. Fuel should be stored safely in the proper containers.
• Home standby generators: ensure they are up to date on their maintenance kits 

Stay indoors, preferably in an interior room. Even if doors and windows are boarded up, stay away from them. High winds can fling otherwise ordinary objects through windows and doors.  

After the storm as passed, avoid walking in or driving through floodwaters. The National Weather service has said that only 6 in. of moving water can knock you over. A foot of moving water can move a car. And, the water could be contaminated.
 

• Assess the damage to your home.
• Take pictures of everything that was damaged.
• Wear protective clothing and boots as you assess the damage and avoid injury as you move through debris.
• Contact your insurance company as soon as possible.

If you believe your home is unsafe, organizations like the American Red Cross provide information on safe locations. You can stay at these locations until cleanup efforts are underway or until your insurance company can move forward.