Residents can be notified of emergencies for multiple locations

If disaster strikes, are you ready? That’s the question that Wake County leaders want all residents to ask themselves this month.

September is National Preparedness Month, and the Wake County Board of Commissioners yesterday approved a proclamation recognizing it as Preparedness Month in Wake County as well.

“The right time to prepare for an emergency is before one happens,” said Commissioner Maria Cervania. “This month serves as a great reminder for families to take time to update their emergency plans and kits – and to make sure they’re signed up for ReadyWake Alerts.”

New Severe Weather Alert System

As part of Preparedness Month, Wake County Emergency Management is launching a new feature on its ReadyWake Alerts system – severe weather alerts.

Residents can now sign up to receive alerts about severe weather warnings or watches via phone call, text or email. We’ll send the alerts based on the locations you care about – register your home, workplace, child’s school or other important place. There’s no limit, but locations must be in Wake County.

In addition to weather alerts, people can choose other notifications to receive:

• Emergency: evacuations, missing people.
• Community: boil water, rabies.
• Public service: road closures, parades.

Sign up and customize alerts at readywake.com.

Make a Plan. Get a Kit. Stay Informed.

By taking a few simple steps, residents can ensure their families are as prepared as possible for an emergency.

Have a plan for when you must leave your home. Select a safe place to meet outside. Practice your home evacuation plan and how you would get there if something happened.

Make a communication plan. Your family may not be together when an emergency happens, so decide how you will contact each other in different situations. Pick a friend or relative outside the Wake County area whom family members can call, text message or email in an emergency.

Pick a meeting place away from home. Choose a place where your family can meet if you are separated from each other and your home. Make plans for anyone who has special needs, such as medicines or medical equipment.

Prepare a home emergency kit. Include enough food, water, medical supplies and other important items for each family member for three days. Remember to check your kit every six months to make sure you have what you need and that your medications have not expired.

Get more helpful tips at readywake.com.