Before The Storm: Bring lawn furniture, trash cans and toys inside. Cover windows with 5/8-inch plywood that’s cut to fit and ready to install. Fill your gas tank, refill prescriptions and grab extra cash from ATMs. Park your car in a garage or next to a building to protect it from wind and flying debris. Charge your cellphone and other electronics. Fill sinks, tubs and other containers with water for cleaning and washing. If you live in a tall building, find shelter on the 10th floor or lower before the storm strikes. During The Storm: Listen to the radio or TV for information, and turn off utilities if told to do so. Avoid using the phone, except for emergencies. Stay inside, unless you’re told to evacuate. Stay away from windows and exterior doors. Turn off utilities and propane tanks. Keep your emergency kit with you. If you’re told to evacuate, do so immediately. Evacuation Info: If authorities tell you to evacuate, do so immediately. Turn off electricity, gas and water supplies, if you have time. Disconnect electrical appliances. Bring your emergency supply kit and important papers. Bring your pets or make arrangements for them if you're going to a shelter. Follow posted evacuation routes, since other roads may be blocked or closed. Text or use social media to let others know you're okay, or register on the American Red Cross Safe and Well website. After The Storm: Stay indoors until emergency personnel announce that the area is safe. Make sure your home is safe before returning. Text or use social media to let others know you’re okay. List yourself as safe or search for loved ones with Red Cross. Be on alert for extended rainfall, flooding and downed power lines and tree limbs. Take photos of damage to your home, cars or other items. Dry and disinfect all materials in the house to prevent mold and mildew. Hurricane Idalia victims visit Georgia Emergency Management (GEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management (FEMA)for individual and public assistance Contact BlueKey for emergency restoration and insurance claim help.

Tornado Warning Signs: Dark, greenish sky Large hail Low-lying clouds (particularly if rotating) Loud roar similar to a freight train If A Tornado Is Heading Your Way: Turn off utilities. Consider going to an emergency shelter. Stay clear of downed wires and evacuate the area immediately if you smell gas. Park your car in a garage or next to a building to protect it from wind and flying debris. If you are under a tornado warning, seek shelter immediately! Most injuries associated with high winds are from flying debris, so remember to protect your head. Stay inside and take cover, away from doors and windows and ideally in a basement. Place infants and young children in car seats, even when indoors. If you're outside with no shelter, lie flat in a ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands or go to a pre-designated area such as a safe room built to FEMA criteria, or a small interior windowless room on the lowest level, below ground in a basement, or storm cellar, closet, or interior hallway away from corners, windows, doors, and outside walls. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Get under a sturdy table and cover your head and neck with your arms and cover your body as best you can with a heavy coat, blankets or pillows. In a high-rise building, go to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor possible. Do not open windows. Do not get under an overpass or bridge. Never try to outrun a tornado in urban or congested areas in a car or truck. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for protection in a sturdy building. After A Tornado: If you are trapped, do not move about or kick up dust. Tap on a pipe or wall or use a whistle, if you have one, so that rescuers can locate you. Listen to local officials for updates and instructions. Check-in with family and friends by texting or using social media. Watch out for debris and downed power lines. Stay out of damaged buildings and homes until local authorities indicate it is safe. Use extreme caution during post-disaster clean-up of buildings and around debris. Do not attempt to remove heavy debris by yourself. Wear protective clothing (such as long-sleeved shirt, long pants, work gloves, and sturdy, thick-soled shoes) during clean-up. Photograph the damage to your property in order to assist in filing an insurance claim. Do what you can to prevent further damage to your property, like putting a tarp on a damaged roof (insurance may not cover additional damage that occurs after the storm). If your home is without power, use flashlights or battery-powered lanterns rather than candles to prevent accidental fires.

Preventing Roof Damage: Check for curling shingles and small leaks that could lead to larger problems. Trim tree branches so they don’t rub on the roof. Remove debris from your roof, gutters and downspouts. Repair or replace your roof to make it stronger and more weather-resistant. Contact BlueKey for a certified roofing inspection. During A Hail Storm: Park your car in a garage or next to a building. Close windows and drapes to prevent broken glass from flying inside. Stay indoors, away from skylights and doors. If You're Driving During A Hail Storm: Turn on your headlights (low beams) and slow down. Allow extra distance for braking. If possible, pull into a garage or under a shelter to minimize hail damage.

When Heavy Rains Are Expected: Clean gutters and downspouts to remove debris. Move as much as you can (including furniture, electronics and area rugs) to a higher floor to prevent water damage. If possible, place major appliances on concrete blocks above the expected flood levels. Disconnect electrical appliances. Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves, especially if the electrical system or outlets may be under water. During A Flood: Don’t touch electrical equipment if you’re wet or standing in water. If you have to leave your home, don’t wade through moving water or drive into flooded areas. Cleanup Tips: Listen to local authorities for warnings and other information. Don’t wade through water. Shovel or scrape mud off floors, furniture and walls before the mud dries. Major appliances, such as refrigerators and stoves, should be washed and dried completely. Let wood furniture dry outdoors, but not in direct sunlight.

Make sure your emergency supply kit is stocked. Charge cellphones and other electronic devices. Stock up on ice and coolers. Fill sinks, tubs and other clean containers with water for drinking and hygiene. Have extra cash on hand, since ATMs may not work during an extended power outage. After The Power Goes Out: Don’t light candles, use flashlights instead. Contact your local utility company, especially if power lines are down in your area. Pack your refrigerator with blocks of ice, set it to maximum cold and keep the door shut. Turn off and unplug appliances and electronics to avoid damage from a power surge when the power comes back on. Leave on one light so you’ll know when the power’s back on. Avoid unnecessary travel. Traffic lights could be out and power lines could be down. Generator Safety: Only use one that’s been properly installed and ventilated. Maintain plenty of airflow space around the unit. Never use one indoors or near windows, vents or air intakes that could allow carbon monoxide to come inside. When using an emergency electric generator, get fresh air immediately if you begin to feel dizzy or lightheaded.

If authorities tell you to evacuate, do so immediately. Follow posted evacuation routes, since other roads may be blocked or closed. (Remember evacuation routes can sometimes be closed up to 20 hours before landfall by gusty winds or flooding.) Fill your vehicle's gas tank as soon as a hurricane watch is posted, as fuel pumps will not work if electricity is out. Bring lawn furniture, trash cans and toys inside. Turn off utilities (electricity, gas and water) if you have time. Disconnect electrical appliances. Fill sinks, tubs and other containers with water for cleaning and washing. Stay tuned to your local radio stations for storm updates.

Text or use social media to let others know you're okay. Check your home and car for any potential hail damage. If you find glass damage in your house or car, carefully remove any glass from the interior and cover the damaged area to prevent further water damage. Stay indoors until emergency personnel announces that the area is safe. Be on alert for extended rainfall, subsequent flooding, downed power lines and tree limbs.(Keep in mind that hail can be a warning sign for tornadoes. If the sky is getting dark and you start to hear a loud roar, take shelter in case a tornado is on its way.) Take photos of damage to your home, property, cars or other items. Dry and disinfect all materials in the house to prevent mold and mildew. Contact BlueKey for a certified inspection of your property damages, restoration and insurance claim help.

Trim branches and clean gutters. Make repairs around the house, like fixing broken window panes or missing shingles. Inspect your roof, siding, foundation and basement to identify areas that need to be repaired or replaced. Reinforce garage doors. Make a family communication and evacuation plan. Prepare an inventory of your belongings with photos and videos of your home and personal property. Compile a list of phone numbers for local police, fire, emergency services, family, friends and neighbors. Create and practice an evacuation plan. Get plywood that’s cut to fit and ready to install on windows. Keep a roadside emergency kit in your car. Protect and store family valuables and important papers – like photographs, medical records and birth and marriage certificates – in waterproof containers. Prepare An Emergency Supply Kit: First-aid kit and extra supplies Clean, air-tight containers to store water Bottled water (One gallon per person, per day for at least three days) Nonperishable, packaged foods which will not require preparation or cooking Battery-operated flashlight, radio and extra batteries (Be sure your radio has fresh batteries.) Cash (ATMs may not work during a power outage.) Charged cellphone Blankets, clothing and toiletries Prescriptions and other medications Necessary items for infants, elderly and disabled family members Pet supplies (food, water and medications)