Before your neighborhood becomes a winter wonderland, stay ahead of the weather. Make sure you receive real-time emergency alerts.

Be one of the three out of four people that know how to get real-time alerts! This is  according to the 2015 Federal Emergency Management Agency National Household Survey .

Keep yourself prepared with alerts on your mobile phone or tablet. Stay updated on critical information in your area with these tips:

• Confirm your mobile device can receive Wireless Emergency Alerts .
• Sign up for text and/or email alerts from your local jurisdiction.
• Consider purchasing a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio .
• If you do not have a landline, check to see if your jurisdiction offers additional options to receive messages from systems such as Reverse 911©.
• Sign up for alerts from any organizations for which you will need information during an emergency.
• Download the FEMA App .
• Create a list of all the alert systems available to you. Make sure everyone in the household receives the alerts. 

Know Your Alerts and Warnings with this fact sheet.

What is the difference between a winter storm watch, warning, or advisory?

Knowing the difference means how much time you have to prepare for the storm.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issues outlooks, watches, warnings and advisories for all winter weather hazards. Here's what they mean and what to do. Use the information below to make an informed decision on your risk and what actions to take.

• Winter Weather Advisory: Be Aware.  An advisory informs you that winter weather may produce hazardous conditions.
• Winter Storm Watch: Be Prepared. A watch means that severe winter conditions may affect your area. NWS issues a watch to provide 12 to 36 hours notice.
• Winter Storm Warning: Take Action! NWS issues a warning when it forecasts four or more inches of snow or sleet in the next 12 hours, six or more inches in 24 hours, or 1/4 inch or more of ice accumulation. Travel will become difficult. Delay your travel plans until conditions improve.
• Blizzard Warning  lets you know that snow and strong winds will combine to produce a blinding snow (near zero visibility), deep drifts, and life-threatening wind chill.

Listen to your local officials for the latest information. Watch this video  to learn more about preparing for a winter storm. You can also download the How to Prepare for a Winter Storm Guide and go to Ready.gov for information on snowstorms and extreme cold.

Protect your community from wildfire by applying for a $500 Wildfire Community Preparedness Day  grant through the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Wildfire Community Preparedness Day, Saturday, May 5, 2018,  encourages communities to work together to address their wildfire risk.

From January 8 through March 2, 2018, NFPA welcomes applications for one of 150 funding awards. Develop a plan now to work with partners and identify wildfire risks in your community. NFPA's Firewise USA site has resources you can use to understand your risk. To view past projects, visit the 2017 Success Stories .

For more information on wildfire preparedness, visit the U.S. Fire Administration's Wildfire page and Ready.gov .