Disaster preparedness begins with knowing your risks, making a communications plan and having an emergency supply kit with essentials such as water, food, flashlights and medications. FEMA offers assistance with digital disaster prep in a recent release.

Useful apps include: 

• FEMA app. Access disaster safety tips, an emergency kit list, emergency meeting location information, and a map with open shelters. Text ANDROID or APPLE to 43362 (4FEMA) and receive a link for download (standard data/message rates apply), or go to the mobile site http://m.fema.gov and click STAY CONNECTED — then click ANDROID or APPLE.

• Red Cross app. Access information on first aid, disaster risks and shelters. Visit www.redcross.org and click MOBILE APPS (available in English and Spanish).

Below is a list of disaster specific keywords to sign-up for bi-monthly safety tips via text message:

• Hurricanes: text HURRICANE to 43362 (4FEMA)

• Home fires: text FIRE to 43362 (4FEMA)

• Wildfires: text WILDFIRE to 43362 (4FEMA)

• Tornadoes: text TORNADO to 43362 (4FEMA)

• Earthquakes: text EARTHQUAKE to 43362 (4FEMA)

• Winter storms and extreme cold: text WINTER to 43362 (4FEMA)

• Power outages: text BLACKOUT to 43362 (4FEMA)

• Floods: text FLOOD to 43362 (4FEMA)

• General monthly safety tips: text PREPARE to 43362 (4FEMA)

Go to the National Preparedness Month page.