09/09/2025
Cherokee County EMA Kicks Off National Preparedness Month: “Preparedness Starts at Home”
Cherokee County EMA is joining the nationwide observance of National Preparedness Month (NPM) throughout September. This year’s theme—Preparedness Starts at Home—asks families to take four simple actions: know your risks, make a plan, build a kit, and get involved.
Know Your Risks| In Cherokee County, our most common hazards include severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, flash flooding, winter weather, extreme heat, and hurricane remnants.
Have multiple ways to get warnings: Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on your phone, a NOAA Weather Radio, and trusted apps. Outdoor warning sirens are designed for people outdoors and should never be your only alert.
Make a Family Emergency Plan| Choose two meeting places (near home and out-of-neighborhood). Identify shelter locations: an interior room/lowest level for tornadoes; higher ground for floods. List important contacts & medications; plan for pets and older adults/people with disabilities. Practice your plan this month.
Build or Refresh a 72-Hour Emergency Kit| Include: water (1 gallon/person/day), non-perishable food, manual can opener, flashlight & extra batteries, first aid kit, medications, copies of vital documents, phone chargers & power bank, whistle, dust masks, work gloves, hygiene items, cash in small bills, infant/elder supplies, pet food & leashes.
Get Involved| Download the Cherokee County EMA app to receive local alerts, view shelters, report damage, and more (iOS & Android links below).
Sign up for CodeRED, Cherokee County’s mass notification system, and encourage neighbors to do the same.
www.cherokeecounty-al.gov/ema
www.ready.gov/september