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The 2021 hurricane season runs June 1 through Nov. 30. Don’t wait for a dangerous storm to threaten before preparing. Here are four points you can follow to protect your family and home.

Stay informed

Pay attention to weather reports and information from state and local news agencies, keeping up with television, radio and online weather reports to stay aware of hurricane warnings.

Look for emergency organization phone numbers, websites, social media sites, smartphone apps and other information with hurricane-related reports. Pay close attention to advisories from your local and state authorities.

Download the FEMA app: Get alerts from the National Weather Service plus safety reminders, emergency checklists and information about shelters. Get the app at www.fema.gov/mobile-app .

Make a plan

Talk with your family members to make sure each one knows what to do in case of an emergency.

Should governmental authorities order an evacuation, make sure everyone in your family knows where you are going and how to get there if you’re traveling separately.

Determine safe places where you could stay if asked to evacuate. Establish multiple meeting points in different directions, so you’re prepared for any emergency. Figure out where you’ll take shelter from the hurricane if you don’t have time to evacuate.

Prepare an emergency supply kit now

• Include water, food and medications for at least three days as well as some cash (include small bills), a first aid kit, a flashlight and extra batteries.
• Many people also need items not found in a basic kit such as medicines. Be sure you have enough of prescribed medications on hand; pharmacies may not be open. Remember specialty items for infants and pets.

For more information on building a basic emergency kit, visit ready.gov/build-a-kit.

Gather your documents

Having important documents ready to go will help get your recovery process started quickly and efficiently. Keep important papers in a fireproof, waterproof box or safe in your home next to the emergency kit. Store copies in an alternate location such as a safe deposit box, work place or trusted friend or family member’s home. Make electronic copies and keep them on a flash drive or CD in your emergency kit, or email copies to yourself. Electronic copies may also be uploaded to a secure digital storage website for retrieval when needed.

Important documents to include:

• Birth certificates, passports, Social Security cards and other personal documents
• Insurance policies
• Deed, mortgage, lease and loan papers
• List of medications, allergies and medical equipment
• Photos of valuable belongings you may want to include in an insurance claim
• Contact information for doctors, relatives, creditors and utilities

For additional information on preparing for hurricanes, visit ready.gov/hurricanes.