Preparedness
Be ready before disaster strikes
Every household's needs, abilities, and circumstances are different — but everyone can take a few steps to be ready. The time you spend preparing now is what keeps your family safer when severe weather, flooding, or another emergency hits Franklin County.
Step 1 — Make a plan
Disasters rarely give notice, and your family may not be together when one strikes. A short conversation now saves confusion later.
- Talk through how a disaster could affect your household — think about everyone's needs, including children, older adults, people with disabilities or medical equipment, and anyone who needs help to evacuate.
- List your must-haves — prescription medications, specialty care items, diapers, formula, and any equipment someone depends on.
- Pick two meeting points — one just outside your home for sudden emergencies like a fire, and one outside your neighborhood in case you can't get back home.
- Choose an out-of-town contact — after a local disaster it's often easier to reach someone in another area. Make sure everyone has the number written down, not just saved in a phone.
- Plan for your pets — most shelters can't take animals, so identify pet-friendly lodging or a friend outside the area ahead of time. Many people delay evacuating because of pets; plan now so you don't have to choose.
- Protect your documents — keep birth certificates, Social Security cards, passports, insurance policies, and healthcare records in a waterproof container, and consider secure digital copies.
Step 2 — Build a kit
Aim for enough to get every member of your household through at least three days without power, water, or a store — and build toward about two weeks of supplies at home if you can. Tip: print this page and check items off as you go.
Water & food
- Water — one gallon per person per day (don't forget pets).
- Non-perishable food — a three-day supply that needs no cooking or refrigeration, plus a manual can opener.
Light, power & information
- Flashlights and extra batteries (candles are a fire risk — skip them).
- NOAA weather radio — battery or hand-crank, so you get warnings even when the power and cell networks are down. Essential in our severe-weather region.
- Phone chargers and a backup battery pack.
Health & safety
- First aid kit and a 7-day supply of prescription medications.
- Personal hygiene items and any specialty care supplies.
- Whistle to signal for help, and dust masks.
Documents & money
- Copies of key documents in your waterproof container — ID, insurance, medical info, and emergency contacts.
- Cash in small bills (ATMs and card readers fail when the power is out).
For specific household members
- Infants & young children — formula, bottles, diapers, wipes, and comfort items.
- Pets — food, water, a leash or carrier, vaccination records, and medications.
- Medical needs — backup batteries or a power plan for any electricity-dependent equipment, and a list of dosages and providers.
Keep a winter kit in your vehicle
- Blankets, gloves, and hat, plus a flashlight and snacks.
- Sand or kitty litter for traction, an ice scraper, and a small shovel.
- Phone charger and a basic first aid kit.
Step 3 — Stay informed
A plan and a kit only help if you know an emergency is coming. Make sure warnings can reach you through more than one channel.
Sign up for emergency alerts
Get free notifications about severe weather, road closures, and local emergencies sent straight to your phone.
- NOAA weather radio — the most reliable warning when the power and cell service go out. Program it for Franklin County.
- Indiana County Travel Status map — check current travel advisories before heading out in a storm: in.gov/dhs/travel-advisory-map.
- National Weather Service — forecasts and active warnings at weather.gov and the Storm Prediction Center at spc.noaa.gov.
- Follow FCEMA on Facebook for real-time local updates during an event: facebook.com/FranklinCoINEMA.
Know your risks in Franklin County
Preparing is easier when you know what you're preparing for. These are the hazards most likely to affect our area.
Flooding
Low-lying areas along the Whitewater River and near Brookville Lake can flood quickly. Know whether your property is in a flood-prone area, never drive through flooded roads, and consider flood insurance — standard homeowners policies don't cover it.
Severe storms & tornadoes
Spring and summer bring damaging winds, hail, and tornadoes. Know the difference between a watch and a warning, identify the safest interior room on your lowest floor, and have a way to get warnings at night.
Winter storms
Ice and heavy snow can knock out power and make roads impassable. Keep your home and vehicle kits stocked, and watch the county travel status before driving.
Power outages
Any of the above can cut power for hours or days. Never run a generator indoors or in a garage, keep freezers closed, and have a plan for anyone who relies on powered medical equipment.
Resources & printable guides
Free guides from trusted sources to help you finish your plan and kit.