What To Do In An Emergency

At home: Go to the lowest level of the building. If there is no basement, go to an inner hallway or small interior room with no windows, such as a bathroom or closet. Get away from windows. Go to the center of the room; corners attract debris. 

In a large building: Go to the basement or an inside hallway on the lowest level. Stay away from auditoriums, cafeterias, large hallways, and other places with wide-span roofs. Get under a piece of sturdy furniture—a desk, table, workbench—and hold on to it. Put your arms over your head and neck. If you are in a mobile home, find shelter elsewhere.

Outdoors: Try to get inside. If that isn't possible, lie in a ditch or a low-lying area, or crouch near a large building. Protect your head and neck. Never try to out-drive a tornado. Get out of the car immediately. Take shelter in a nearby building. If you can't get to a building, get out of the car and lie in a ditch or low-lying area.

For a Flash Flood:

Move quickly, you may have only SECONDS to save yourself after you receive a flash flood WARNING.

Indoors: If you are told to evacuate, leave immediately. Go to higher ground. Climb to safety.

Outdoors: Climb to higher ground. Be especially cautious at night. Avoid walking through floodwater. Swiftly moving water even 6 inches deep can sweep you off your feet. Don't drive into floodwater. If you come to a flooded Area, turn around and go another way. The roadbed may not be intact. If your car stalls, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground. Many people have died while trying to move stalled cars.

For an Earthquake:

Indoors: Take cover under a piece of heavy furniture, under a sturdy door frame, or against an inside wall and hold on. Stay inside. Do not try to leave while the building is shaking, because objects can fall on you. 

Outdoors: Move into the open, away from buildings, street lights, and utility wires. Stay in the open until the shaking stops. Stop driving and stay inside your vehicle. If possible, drive to a clear area away from buildings, trees, overpasses, or utility wires. When the shaking has stopped, drive only with caution. Avoid bridges or ramps that might have been damaged.

For a Tsunami:

Listen to the radio or TV to get the latest information. Be ready to evacuate. If you hear an official tsunami warning, evacuate immediately. Climb to higher ground. Stay away from the beach. Never go to the beach to watch a tsunami come in. If you can see the wave, you are too close. Don't assume one wave means the danger is over. The next wave may be larger than the first. Do not return home until authorities say it is safe.

For more information, see Internet sites in the appendix.