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During National Preparedness Month, we’re sharing how American Water prepares for extreme weather and how you can stay prepared too.

American Water’s Preparedness
When severe weather strikes, water and wastewater systems can face challenges. That’s why our teams work to help ensure essential services continue with limited interruptions when communities need them most. Across our treatment plants and pump stations, our teams put in the following proactive measures to minimize the impacts of severe weather: 

• Test and fuel generators, vehicles and fuel storage tanks to help ensure uninterrupted power and mobility; 
• Prepare wastewater facilities for increased flows during heavy rainfall or flooding; 
• Monitor water levels near our treatment plants and adjust operations as needed; and 
• Create tailored staffing plans to respond quickly to emergencies. 

How You Can Stay Prepared
Preparing for emergencies can make a big difference for you, your family, home and pets when disasters strike. American Water and the American Red Cross encourage individuals to follow tips like the below to stay prepared:

• Create an emergency plan: Know evacuation routes, shelter locations and what supplies you’ll need. The American Red Cross provides tips on what to include in your emergency survival kit here.
• Keep an emergency water supply: Fill several clean containers of tap water to keep on hand. Label the containers as “drinking water” and include a storage date. The CDC recommends replacing the water every six months and having a three-day supply to meet your family’s needs. 
• Stay in the know: Check FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center and sign up for local emergency alerts. 
• Turn around, don’t drown: See flooding on the road ahead of you? Never walk, swim, or drive through. Just 6 inches of fast-moving floodwater can knock you over.  
• Avoid electrical hazards: Don’t touch wet electrical equipment and turn off the electricity to flooded areas if it is safe to do so. 

American Water customers should also verify and update their emergency contact preferences in their MyWater account to receive water and wastewater-related notifications quickly. 

American Red Cross Partnership 
The American Water Charitable Foundation is a member of the American Red Cross Disaster Responder Program, helping proactively fund disaster relief. The Red Cross offers free apps with tools and guidance for emergency preparedness, first aid and even pet safety. Download them here.