With emergencies such as floods, severe weather and winter storms occurring at a moment’s notice in Michigan, state officials are urging families to prepare emergency plans for their households and pets.
The Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division highlights four essential steps for safety: make a plan, build a kit, stay informed and get involved.
Creating a household plan involves sitting down together to establish contact methods, evacuation destinations and meeting locations. Families should designate out-of-town contacts, neighborhood meeting places and regional destinations.
Because workplaces, daycare centers and schools maintain site-specific emergency plans, residents should review those guidelines. Important details, including medical contacts, insurance policy numbers and emergency service numbers, should be recorded and kept in an emergency kit. Two kits should be prepared: a larger supply kit for sheltering in place and a lightweight version for evacuations.
Planning must extend to pets and livestock. State officials advise that if local officials ask residents to evacuate, pets should evacuate too. Preparedness steps include microchipping animals with up-to-date contact details, developing a buddy system with neighbors and identifying safe destinations, as many public shelters do not allow animals. Owners should bring pets indoors at the first sign of a storm.
Pet emergency kits should contain a several-day supply of food and water, extra medication, backup leashes, registration documents and a photograph of owners with their pets to document ownership. For large animals such as horses, goats or pigs, owners should arrange transportation, map primary and secondary routes and secure experienced handlers in advance.
To stay informed during disasters, residents can monitor wireless emergency alerts, download the FEMA app for National Weather Service warnings and follow local public safety instructions.
For emergency assistance, dial 911. For non-emergency assistance, dial 211. Additional planning resources are available online at michigan.gov/miready
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