Keep your phone charged and consider getting an external battery so your phone can charge without electricity.
Have a battery-operated radio for weather updates.
Unplug appliances and other electrical items. Damage can occur from power surges as a result of nearby lightning strikes.
Prepare an emergency kit and create a family communication plan.
If someone in your home uses a life-sustaining medical device that requires electricity plan to have a battery or emergency generator on hand before an outage occurs.
After The Storm
If you see fallen power lines while driving, turn around - never drive over them.
If a power line falls on your vehicle, stay inside, call 911, and exit only if your life is in immediate danger from a fire or other reason. Then, jump clear of your vehicle is certain to never touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time; then shuffle away keeping your feet together at all times.
While checking for damage outside your home, watch for hazards from exposed nails, broken glass, and broken tree branches dangling on other limbs.
Use flashlights, not candles, to inspect your home during a power outage to prevent fire risks.
Don't touch downed power lines or anything in contact with them. Call 911 to report them, as they could still be energized.
