How to Make a Family Storm Communication Plan
Write down how your household will share updates when everyone is in different places.
Reviewed October 10, 2026 · Hurricane Prep Guide
A family group chat is useful, but a complete plan also works when someone loses a phone, the battery runs out, or a message arrives late. Set aside a calm evening to agree on contacts, check-ins, and reunification. Include everyone who needs the plan: children, caregivers, roommates, and relatives who live elsewhere.
Download the free family storm communication worksheet (PDF). Fill it in together, then keep the completed copies private.
1. Choose contacts everyone can reach
List household phone numbers and one agreed contact outside your area. Ask that person to relay updates, and choose a backup if they are unavailable. Include school, childcare, work, and caregiver contacts. Confirm each organization's pickup or emergency procedure rather than assuming your household plan overrides it.
Keep a paper copy in each person's bag or wallet and a saved copy on phones. Use large print or another accessible format where helpful. Ready.gov's Are You Ready? preparedness guide (PDF) explains why written contacts, shared copies, and practice matter.
2. Name two meeting points
Choose a familiar point near home and a second location outside the neighborhood, such as a relative's home that has agreed to host you. Record full addresses, accessibility needs, and how you would get there. The second point should fit your local evacuation plan; being outside the neighborhood does not automatically make a place safe.
These are options for safe reunification, not instructions to travel during hazardous weather. Follow official evacuation and shelter directions first. Do not cross floodwater, ignore road closures, or leave safe shelter just to meet. If the agreed destination becomes unavailable, tell the outside contact where you are staying when communication permits.
3. Agree on a short check-in message
For routine updates, try a text before a call. Ready.gov's family communication card for children (PDF) notes that texts may get through when calls cannot. Delivery is never guaranteed. Agree on when to check in and who will pass the update along, so everyone does not repeatedly contact the same person.
“Alex and Sam are safe at Aunt Jo's. Staying here tonight. Next check-in at 8 p.m. Please tell the family.”
Include your names, current location, status, and next update time. Tell trusted contacts what help you need without posting your address publicly. Decide on an accessible alternative for anyone who cannot use text. A missed message may reflect an outage; it is not proof of an emergency.
4. Practice and review the plan
- Send a clearly labeled practice message and confirm everyone receives it.
- Check contacts, meeting addresses, school procedures, and paper copies.
- Charge phones and identify how you will receive warnings during an outage.
- Review at least yearly and whenever contacts or household needs change.
Use Ready.gov's family emergency communication planning document (PDF) for a fuller practice routine. Official warnings take priority over a planned check-in. Do not silence emergency alerts to save battery power.
Continue with the free hurricane checklist and NOAA weather radio guide, or browse all preparedness articles.
This independent planning article is not an emergency alert service. Follow local authorities and the National Weather Service hurricane planning guidance for current protective actions.