Super storm predicted: Prepare now

Fairfax Water: 703/698-5800 (after hours, call 703/698-5613)

To subscribe to Fairfax
County emergency information email updates: http://fairfaxcountyemergency.wordpress.com

• Water—one
  gallon per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food—at
  least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Communications—a
  battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
  and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight
  and extra batteries
• First
  aid kit
• Whistle
  to signal for help
• Dust
  mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to
  shelter-in-place
• Moist
  towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench
  or pliers to turn off utilities
• Can
  opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
• Local
  maps

• Make sure all your devices are charged.
• Set up an
  online account with Dominion at www.dom.com (search: MYA) so you can easily report an outage and obtain
  outage updates online without having to call in (search: reporting outages)
• Make sure
  the telephone number and other information related to your account are up to
  date and provide a cell phone number. Call 800/222-0401 to update your phone numbers.
• Bring
  in or secure garbage cans, lawn furniture, and other items that could be blown
  by high winds or become dangerous projectiles. Pets should also be brought
  inside for their safety.

• Clear
  leaves, storm drains, and sewer openings to prevent clogging.
• Check
  gutters and downspouts; clear debris from them if necessary.
• Inspect
  sump pumps to ensure they are working properly.
• Move
  furniture and other items from basements to upper floors if located in areas prone
  to flooding.

• Report it and then turn off major appliances such as heat
  pumps, water heaters, and stoves. 
• Unplug other appliances such as TVs, stereos,
  microwaves, and computers. This will help protect the appliances and prevent
  possible overloads to the company’s system when power is restored.
• If using
  portable or camp-type stoves or lanterns for cooking and lighting, ensure that
  the area is adequately ventilated.

• Plan
  places where your family will meet, both within and outside of your immediate
  neighborhood.
• Identify
  several places you could go in an emergency, such as a friend’s home in another
  town, a motel, or public shelter.
• If
  you have a car, keep a half tank of gas in it at all times in case you need to
  evacuate.
• Become
  familiar with alternate routes and other means of transportation out of your
  area.
• Take
  your emergency supply kit.
• Lock
  the door behind you.
• Take
  your pets with you, but understand that only service animals may be permitted
  in public shelters. Plan how you will care for your pets in an emergency.
• If
  you are not able to evacuate, stay indoors away from all windows. Take shelter
  in an interior room with no windows if possible. Be aware that there may be a
  sudden lull in the storm as the eye of the hurricane moves over. Stay in your
  shelter until local authorities say it is safe.
• Stay
  out of flood waters, if possible. The water may be contaminated or electrically
  charged. However, should you find yourself trapped in your vehicle in rising
  water get out immediately and seek higher ground.
• Be
  alert for tornadoes and flooding. If you see a funnel cloud or if local
  authorities issue a tornado warning take shelter underground, if possible, or
  in an interior room away from windows. If waters are rising quickly or local
  authorities issue a floor of flash flood warning, seek higher ground.
• Stay
  away from downed power lines to avoid the risk of electric shock or
  electrocution.
• Do not return to your home until local
  authorities say it is safe. Even after the hurricane and after flood waters
  recede, roads may be weakened and could collapse. Buildings may be unstable,
  and drinking water may be contaminated.

• Stay away
  from fallen wires, flooded areas, and debris. Treat all fallen wires and anything touching
  them as though they are energized.
• Follow safe
  operating procedures for generators. Never operate one inside your home or in
  an enclosed space, such as a garage.
• Do not hook generators
  directly to the electrical system of your home. Electricity could flow
  backwards onto our power lines and endanger repair crews. The correct, safe
  technique is to plug directly into the generator with proper-sized extension
  cords.