Your Questions Answered
How should I prepare for a natural disaster?
The best way to prepare for a natural disaster is to plan ahead and follow guidance from local emergency officials.
Your first responsibility is to keep yourself and your household safe. Before an emergency, please make sure you:
• Stay informed: Follow alerts and guidance from local city, county, state, and emergency agencies.
• Create a communication plan: Make sure your household knows how to contact one another and where to go if you are separated.
• Prepare an emergency kit: Keep enough bottled water, food, medications, hygiene items, and basic supplies for at least three days.
• Plan for power outages: Have a way to charge your phone, and prepare an alternate power source if you rely on electricity for medical equipment.
• Know your home’s shutoffs: Know where and how to turn off the main gas line, water supply, and electricity if needed.
• Secure important documents: Keep identification, renter’s insurance, flood insurance, and other important documents in a safe location.
What is my responsibility during a natural disaster?
Your first responsibility is to keep yourself and your household safe. Depending on the type of natural disaster, you may need to leave the home and move to a safe location.
When it is safe to do so, residents are also responsible for taking reasonable steps to help protect the home and personal belongings.
This may include:
• Knowing your emergency shutoffs: Know where and how to turn off the home’s main gas line, water supply, and electricity if needed.
• Securing outdoor items: Bring inside or tie down exterior personal property that could cause damage or injury if it becomes unsecured.
• Preparing for freezing weather: Insulate external water pipes to help prevent freezing when extreme cold is expected.
• Conserving heat during winter storms: Lower the thermostat, close off unused rooms, cover windows at night, and block drafts under doors where possible.
• Planning for power outages: Keep a phone charging option available and consider backup heat sources, extra blankets, sleeping bags, and warm clothing.
• Protecting food when possible: Fill containers with water and place them in the freezer to help keep food cold during a power outage.
• Staying informed: Follow local city, state, and county emergency alerts, and watch for Tricon communications with any home- or community-specific instructions.
Depending on the type of natural disaster, Tricon may provide additional information to help support your safety and protect the home.