Washington County Sheriff's Office

Build an Emergency Kit

The most common hazards to affect the region are winter storms, tornadoes, thunderstorms and hail, power outages, flooding, extreme heat, and novel pandemics. Keep these in mind when thinking about emergency situations you may experience. Your response to each hazard may be different, but you can prepare for each by creating an emergency kit, having extra food and water in your home – including extra food and water for pets, and having an emergency plan. Consider these tips to get started:

1. Download an emergency kit checklist: Build A Kit | Ready.gov
   • Tailor the kit to fit your needs.
   • Create a list of current medications and prescriptions, make copies of insurance cards, personal identification, and important documents, and store them all in your emergency bag.
   • Assess your needs:
     • Do some of your medications need refrigeration?
     • Do you have any medical devices that require power?
     • Do you rely on mobility or assistive devices?
     • Would you need to arrange transportation if you had to leave your house?
     • Do you have pets to plan for?
2. Engage your support network:
   • Reach out to family, friends, and neighbors to talk about emergency plans.
   • Share your emergency plans with a family member or friend in another region who would not be impacted by the same disaster and who would be able to help you.
   • Make sure a family member or friend has an extra key to your home and knows where you keep your emergency kit.
3. Sign up for emergency alerts with Code Red.

Critical and Vital Documents

When planning for an emergency, you should consider safety first. However, it is also important to think about vital documents in case you need to evacuate your home. Make copies and keep them in your emergency kit. Make sure a family member or friend has a key to your home and knows where you keep your emergency kit.

Some documents to think about are:

• Family documents
  • Vital records
  • Personal identification
  • Living will, medical power of attorney
• Financial documents
  • House and vehicle documents, including insurance policies
  • Financial obligation documents
  • Financial account information
  • Estate planning documents 
• Medical information
  • Medical, dental, and other health insurance or benefits
  • List of medications, allergies, prescriptions, medical equipment, and medical devices
• Personal items
  • Irreplaceable personal documents, photos, and keepsakes

For a full list of items to consider, visit: Safeguard Critical Documents and Valuables (PDF).

When severe weather is in the forecast, it is important to understand the difference between watches and warnings issued by the National Weather Service.

"Watch"

A watch means that severe weather is possible, that the conditions are favorable for severe weather to develop. It does not mean severe weather will occur, but conditions make it possible. 

"Warning"

A warning means that severe weather is occurring or imminent in the area, and you should be prepared.

Pay attention to weather information to know when to be cautious and when to take action. You can stay informed about severe weather by checking the National Weather Service, signing up for CodeRED alerts, and listening for warning sirens in your area. It's important to know when they test your local emergency warning sirens and remember that there's no such thing as an "all-clear" siren. 

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

Be prepared! There is a possibility of severe thunderstorms. A severe thunderstorm typically lasts 4 - 8 hours.

If you get this alert at home:

• When thunder roars, go indoors. Find a place to shelter.
• Secure outside furniture and property.
• Unplug appliances.
• Prepare for a power outage.

If you get this alert in your car:

• Stay in your car if you cannot go indoors.
• Turn Around Don’t Drown® Do not drive through flood waters.
• Avoid touching metal surfaces in the car.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Take action! Severe weather is happening. There may be considerable or destructive damage. A severe thunderstorm warning typically lasts 1 hour.

If you get this alert at home:

• When thunder roars, go indoors. Find a place to shelter.
• Avoid using running water or landline phones.
• Unplug appliances.
• Avoid isolated trees, concrete, and metal that lightning could hit.

If you get this alert in your car:

• Stay in your car.
• Turn Around Don’t Drown® Do not drive through flood waters.
• Avoid touching metal surfaces in the car.