The Best Ways to be Informed Are as Follows

• Identify how local authorities will notify you during a disaster and how you will get important information, whether through local radio, TV, or NOAA weather radio stations or channels.
• Find out in advance which radio stations in your area are equipped with generators. These are the stations that will still be on the air with the current local news in case of a disaster.
• Store at least three sets of alkaline batteries. Inexpensive transistor radios are available from local stores throughout the country and over the Internet. The best radio is one that has rechargeable NiC ads built in, and may be charged with the built-in solar cell, or by cranking on a built-in generator handle.

What You Cannot Depend on in Time of Disaster

• Power and Water

  It is likely there will be the loss of utilities after a disaster. Power outages are a given, but depending on the disaster, water may be hard to come by for at least three days and nights.

• Telephone and Internet

  Your phone system, even your cell phone and Internet capabilities may be down.

• Radio

  Your only source of news may be a transistor or the car radio, assuming your local radio station has a generator.

• Medical Attention

  There might not be medical help for minor cuts or broken bones for several days.

• Transportation

  If you are at work, you may have to stay there for several days because mass transit may not be available or, depending on the disaster, you may not be allowed to have your car on the streets or highways.

• Access to Money

  Without power you can't go to the bank. The money that will be available to you will be what is in your home or car until power is restored.

• Credit/ATM Cards

  Remember, even if you can get to a store and they have supplies you need, you will NOT be able to use a credit card or an ATM card because the store will not have power.