What EMA officials suggest keeping on hand in case of emergency:

• Two gallons of clean water per person per day.

• Two pair of clean clothes per person.

• Food to last family for three days.

• Supply of medication.

• Full tank of gas.

• A spare telephone that can be hooked directly to wall. Portable phones are of little use if electricity goes out.

• $100 cash (ATM machines can be the first things to go out.)

Pet supplies

What you need to evacuate your pets:

• One pet carrier or cage for each animal. Each should be labeled with the pet’s name, a photograph, the owner’s name and veterinarian information.

• Enough food and water to last each pet for two days.

• A leash and collar for each pet, including cats. Pets that are not leashed and collared cannot be let out of their cages at an emergency shelter.

• Newspaper and plastic bags for cleaning up pet messes and disposing of waste.