Shelter-in-Place Guidelines
Instructions for people who have not evacuated
Shelter in Place Meaning
To shelter in place means to stay where you are. People may shelter in place if they are not located in a mandatory evacuation zone, or if the situation has become too dangerous to evacuate (such as winds being too high for road travel).
Shelter-in-Place Guidelines
Understand that emergency responders are unable to come to your aid when conditions are unsafe. Depending on the extent of the damage, it may be a long time before responders could reach you.
If you experience an emergency while sheltered in place, call 911. Emergency crews will respond as soon as it is safe to do so.
If you are not in a mandated evacuation zone, offer your location as shelter to friends or relatives who live in vulnerable areas, mobile homes or RVs.
Ensure you have appropriate disaster supplies. (Read list of supplies listed here or advise callers to go online to Ready.gov/Kit if they don’t want to write everything down during this call.)
Make sure your windows, doors, and garage doors are protected with plywood or other hard, shatter-resistant materials. Duct tape is not effective against storm-force winds. Keep storm shutters and windows closed until the storm has completely passed.
Food: Have on hand at least seven days’ food supply for each person, of non-perishable foods that do not require cooking. Make sure you have a manual can opener (not electric).
Water: You need to have a supply of water other than your tap (sinks). Use clean containers, including bathtubs, to store water for drinking and other uses. Plan on three gallons per person, per day, for at least seven days.
Keep cellphones and electronic devices charged in case of power loss. Checking in with family through texting or social media can be more reliable than phone service.
During the storm, stay inside and away from windows, skylights, and glass doors. The safest place is an interior room - this could be a closet or bathroom. Bring water into your safe room in case you cannot exit due to storm debris.
If you lose power, turn off major appliances such as the air conditioner and water heater. This could reduce damage from a power surge when electricity is restored. For light, flashlights or chemical sticks are safer to use than candles.
If flooding is a threat, turn off electricity at the main breaker.
Even after storm conditions subside, do not leave your home or travel until officials announce that it is safe.