Preparedness content is general public safety information. It is not medical advice, agency procedures, or an emergency reporting channel.

This is not 911, not an emergency report intake, and not a substitute for official local emergency instructions.

VitalDeploy does not originate public warnings or IPAWS alerts. Follow official National Weather Service and local emergency management channels.

Safety guidance

Weather Preparedness

Plain-language preparedness guidance for common weather hazards. This center is educational only and does not issue official warnings.

12 topics · 6 checklists

Use expanded checklists below or open the Learning Center preparedness guides for print-friendly layouts.

Severe Thunderstorms

Know the difference between a watch and a warning, and identify safe shelter indoors.

Quick checklist

Identify an interior room away from windows
Charge phones and check local alerts
Secure loose outdoor items

Guidance aligned with NWS severe thunderstorm safety messaging.

Tornado

Move to the lowest interior room when a tornado warning is issued for your area.

Quick checklist

Know your nearest safe room
Keep shoes and essentials nearby
Monitor trusted local alert sources

Guidance aligned with NWS tornado safety messaging.

Flooding

Avoid driving or walking through flood water. Turn around, don't drown.

Quick checklist

Know higher ground routes
Move valuables above likely flood levels
Never drive through flooded roads

Guidance aligned with NWS flood safety messaging.

Winter Weather

Prepare for ice, snow, and cold exposure with supplies and safe travel plans.

Quick checklist

Stock food, water, and warm layers
Check heating and carbon monoxide safety
Limit travel during active winter storms

Guidance aligned with NWS winter weather safety messaging.

Extreme Heat

Reduce outdoor exertion, stay hydrated, and check on vulnerable neighbors.

Quick checklist

Drink water regularly
Use shade or air-conditioned spaces
Never leave people or pets in parked vehicles

Guidance aligned with NWS heat safety messaging.

Extreme Cold

Dress in layers, limit exposure, and watch for signs of hypothermia and frostbite.

Quick checklist

Cover skin in wind and sub-freezing conditions
Keep emergency supplies in vehicles
Check heating systems before cold snaps

Guidance aligned with NWS cold weather safety messaging.

Wildfire / Red Flag

Reduce ignition risks during dry, windy conditions and follow local burn restrictions.

Quick checklist

Avoid outdoor burning when restricted
Create defensible space where practical
Know evacuation routes before they are needed

Guidance aligned with NWS fire weather and red flag awareness messaging.

Air Quality / Smoke

Limit outdoor activity when air quality is poor and use trusted AQI guidance.

Quick checklist

Check local air quality index
Use N95 masks when recommended outdoors
Keep windows closed during heavy smoke events

Guidance aligned with EPA and NWS smoke awareness messaging.

Tropical Weather

Review hurricane and tropical storm plans before the season begins.

Quick checklist

Build a go-kit with essentials
Know evacuation zones and routes
Secure outdoor property before landfall

Guidance aligned with NWS tropical weather preparedness messaging.

Marine / Beach

Check surf, rip current, and marine forecasts before coastal activities.

Quick checklist

Review surf and rip current forecasts
Swim near lifeguards when available
Check tide and marine hazard statements

General pointer only. Full marine Weather Center runtime is out of scope for WEATHER-08.

Aviation

Use official FAA and NWS aviation products for flight planning and hazard awareness.

Quick checklist

Review TAFs and AIRMETs/SIGMETs
Check convective and icing forecasts
Follow operator and FAA guidance

General pointer only. Aviation Weather Center runtime is out of scope for WEATHER-08.

Multiple Warning Methods

Use more than one trusted channel to receive hazardous weather information.

Quick checklist

Enable wireless emergency alerts on phones
Monitor NOAA Weather Radio where available
Follow local emergency management channels

Guidance aligned with public preparedness best practices.

Expanded preparedness checklists

Detailed checklists aligned with Ready.gov and NWS safety guidance. Track progress locally on this device—nothing is sent to a server.

0 of 48 steps completed

Open family plan builder

Severe Thunderstorm Preparedness

Identify shelter and monitor multiple alert sources before storms arrive.

0/8 done

Identify an interior room away from windows
Charge phones and check local alerts
Secure loose outdoor items
Know how to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts
Review NOAA Weather Radio coverage
Test weather alert apps on each family device
Review community shelter locations near home
Keep a battery-powered or hand-crank radio available

Family plan prompts

Where will each family member shelter?
Who is our out-of-area contact?

Educational checklist only. Not agency procedures, medical advice, or an official warning.

Tornado Preparedness

Practice moving to your lowest interior room when warnings are issued.

0/8 done

Know your nearest safe room
Keep shoes and essentials nearby
Monitor trusted local alert sources
Practice a family tornado drill twice a year
Store helmets or sturdy shoes in your shelter area
Pack a go-bag with medications and IDs
Confirm children's school shelter procedures
Identify the lowest interior room without windows

Family plan prompts

Where do we meet after the storm passes?
How will we check on neighbors?

Educational checklist only. Not agency procedures, medical advice, or an official warning.

Flood Preparedness

Know higher ground routes and never drive through flooded roads.

0/8 done

Know higher ground routes
Move valuables above likely flood levels
Never drive through flooded roads
Store important documents in waterproof containers
Review flood insurance options
Register for local flood alerts
Photograph valuables for insurance records
Plan evacuation routes that avoid low-water crossings

Educational checklist only. Not agency procedures, medical advice, or an official warning.

Winter Weather Preparedness

Stock supplies and limit travel during active winter storms.

0/8 done

Stock food, water, and warm layers
Check heating and carbon monoxide safety
Limit travel during active winter storms
Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle
Insulate pipes in vulnerable areas
Service your home heating system before winter
Keep sand or kitty litter for traction
Learn signs of hypothermia and frostbite

Educational checklist only. Not agency procedures, medical advice, or an official warning.

Extreme Heat Preparedness

Reduce outdoor exertion and stay hydrated during heat events.

0/8 done

Drink water regularly
Use shade or air-conditioned spaces
Never leave people or pets in parked vehicles
Check on elderly neighbors
Know cooling center locations in your community
Schedule outdoor work for cooler morning hours
Identify shaded rest areas near home
Prepare a power-outage kit with fans and ice packs

Educational checklist only. Not agency procedures, medical advice, or an official warning.

Family Emergency Basics

Build a household plan that covers communication, shelter, and supplies.

0/8 done

Choose an out-of-area emergency contact
Identify meeting places near home and away
Store a three-day supply of water and food
Include pet needs in your kit
Practice your plan twice a year
Document home utility shutoff locations
Store copies of IDs and insurance cards
Assign roles for pets, children, and medical needs

Family plan prompts

How will school or work closures affect our plan?
Who needs extra help receiving alerts?

Educational checklist only. Not agency procedures, medical advice, or an official warning.

Preparedness content is general public safety information. It is not medical advice, agency procedures, or an emergency reporting channel.

This is not 911, not an emergency report intake, and not a substitute for official local emergency instructions.

VitalDeploy does not originate public warnings or IPAWS alerts. Follow official National Weather Service and local emergency management channels.

Safety guidance

Weather Preparedness

Plain-language preparedness guidance for common weather hazards. This center is educational only and does not issue official warnings.

12 topics · 6 checklists

Use expanded checklists below or open the Learning Center preparedness guides for print-friendly layouts.

Severe Thunderstorms

Know the difference between a watch and a warning, and identify safe shelter indoors.

Quick checklist

Identify an interior room away from windows
Charge phones and check local alerts
Secure loose outdoor items

Guidance aligned with NWS severe thunderstorm safety messaging.

Tornado

Move to the lowest interior room when a tornado warning is issued for your area.

Quick checklist

Know your nearest safe room
Keep shoes and essentials nearby
Monitor trusted local alert sources

Guidance aligned with NWS tornado safety messaging.

Flooding

Avoid driving or walking through flood water. Turn around, don't drown.

Quick checklist

Know higher ground routes
Move valuables above likely flood levels
Never drive through flooded roads

Guidance aligned with NWS flood safety messaging.

Winter Weather

Prepare for ice, snow, and cold exposure with supplies and safe travel plans.

Quick checklist

Stock food, water, and warm layers
Check heating and carbon monoxide safety
Limit travel during active winter storms

Guidance aligned with NWS winter weather safety messaging.

Extreme Heat

Reduce outdoor exertion, stay hydrated, and check on vulnerable neighbors.

Quick checklist

Drink water regularly
Use shade or air-conditioned spaces
Never leave people or pets in parked vehicles

Guidance aligned with NWS heat safety messaging.

Extreme Cold

Dress in layers, limit exposure, and watch for signs of hypothermia and frostbite.

Quick checklist

Cover skin in wind and sub-freezing conditions
Keep emergency supplies in vehicles
Check heating systems before cold snaps

Guidance aligned with NWS cold weather safety messaging.

Wildfire / Red Flag

Reduce ignition risks during dry, windy conditions and follow local burn restrictions.

Quick checklist

Avoid outdoor burning when restricted
Create defensible space where practical
Know evacuation routes before they are needed

Guidance aligned with NWS fire weather and red flag awareness messaging.

Air Quality / Smoke

Limit outdoor activity when air quality is poor and use trusted AQI guidance.

Quick checklist

Check local air quality index
Use N95 masks when recommended outdoors
Keep windows closed during heavy smoke events

Guidance aligned with EPA and NWS smoke awareness messaging.

Tropical Weather

Review hurricane and tropical storm plans before the season begins.

Quick checklist

Build a go-kit with essentials
Know evacuation zones and routes
Secure outdoor property before landfall

Guidance aligned with NWS tropical weather preparedness messaging.

Marine / Beach

Check surf, rip current, and marine forecasts before coastal activities.

Quick checklist

Review surf and rip current forecasts
Swim near lifeguards when available
Check tide and marine hazard statements

General pointer only. Full marine Weather Center runtime is out of scope for WEATHER-08.

Aviation

Use official FAA and NWS aviation products for flight planning and hazard awareness.

Quick checklist

Review TAFs and AIRMETs/SIGMETs
Check convective and icing forecasts
Follow operator and FAA guidance

General pointer only. Aviation Weather Center runtime is out of scope for WEATHER-08.

Multiple Warning Methods

Use more than one trusted channel to receive hazardous weather information.

Quick checklist

Enable wireless emergency alerts on phones
Monitor NOAA Weather Radio where available
Follow local emergency management channels

Guidance aligned with public preparedness best practices.

Expanded preparedness checklists

Detailed checklists aligned with Ready.gov and NWS safety guidance. Track progress locally on this device—nothing is sent to a server.

0 of 48 steps completed

Open family plan builder

Severe Thunderstorm Preparedness

Identify shelter and monitor multiple alert sources before storms arrive.

0/8 done

Identify an interior room away from windows
Charge phones and check local alerts
Secure loose outdoor items
Know how to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts
Review NOAA Weather Radio coverage
Test weather alert apps on each family device
Review community shelter locations near home
Keep a battery-powered or hand-crank radio available

Family plan prompts

Where will each family member shelter?
Who is our out-of-area contact?

Educational checklist only. Not agency procedures, medical advice, or an official warning.

Tornado Preparedness

Practice moving to your lowest interior room when warnings are issued.

0/8 done

Know your nearest safe room
Keep shoes and essentials nearby
Monitor trusted local alert sources
Practice a family tornado drill twice a year
Store helmets or sturdy shoes in your shelter area
Pack a go-bag with medications and IDs
Confirm children's school shelter procedures
Identify the lowest interior room without windows

Family plan prompts

Where do we meet after the storm passes?
How will we check on neighbors?

Educational checklist only. Not agency procedures, medical advice, or an official warning.

Flood Preparedness

Know higher ground routes and never drive through flooded roads.

0/8 done

Know higher ground routes
Move valuables above likely flood levels
Never drive through flooded roads
Store important documents in waterproof containers
Review flood insurance options
Register for local flood alerts
Photograph valuables for insurance records
Plan evacuation routes that avoid low-water crossings

Educational checklist only. Not agency procedures, medical advice, or an official warning.

Winter Weather Preparedness

Stock supplies and limit travel during active winter storms.

0/8 done

Stock food, water, and warm layers
Check heating and carbon monoxide safety
Limit travel during active winter storms
Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle
Insulate pipes in vulnerable areas
Service your home heating system before winter
Keep sand or kitty litter for traction
Learn signs of hypothermia and frostbite

Educational checklist only. Not agency procedures, medical advice, or an official warning.

Extreme Heat Preparedness

Reduce outdoor exertion and stay hydrated during heat events.

0/8 done

Drink water regularly
Use shade or air-conditioned spaces
Never leave people or pets in parked vehicles
Check on elderly neighbors
Know cooling center locations in your community
Schedule outdoor work for cooler morning hours
Identify shaded rest areas near home
Prepare a power-outage kit with fans and ice packs

Educational checklist only. Not agency procedures, medical advice, or an official warning.

Family Emergency Basics

Build a household plan that covers communication, shelter, and supplies.

0/8 done

Choose an out-of-area emergency contact
Identify meeting places near home and away
Store a three-day supply of water and food
Include pet needs in your kit
Practice your plan twice a year
Document home utility shutoff locations
Store copies of IDs and insurance cards
Assign roles for pets, children, and medical needs

Family plan prompts

How will school or work closures affect our plan?
Who needs extra help receiving alerts?

Educational checklist only. Not agency procedures, medical advice, or an official warning.