09/06/2026
🚨 SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH! 🚨
Preparedness Starts With You!
September is National Preparedness Month, and the Cape May Office of Emergency Management encourages residents, visitors, and businesses to take a few simple steps now to prepare for emergencies before they happen.
Living in a coastal community means we need to be prepared for a variety of hazards—including hurricanes, coastal flooding, severe storms, power outages, and other emergencies. A little preparation today can make a big difference when an emergency occurs.
🏠 4 STEPS TO GET PREPARED
1️⃣ KNOW YOUR RISK
Understand the hazards that could affect you and your family. Know your evacuation routes and where you would go if you needed to leave your home.
2️⃣ MAKE A PLAN
Talk with your household about how you will communicate during an emergency. Identify an emergency meeting place, an out-of-area contact, and make sure everyone—including children, older adults, people with disabilities, and pets—is included in the plan.
3️⃣ BUILD AN EMERGENCY KIT
Have enough food, water, medications, and essential supplies to get through an emergency. Remember that power outages and other disruptions can affect stores, ATMs, communications, and transportation.
4️⃣ STAY INFORMED
Sign up for emergency alerts and monitor official information from the City of Cape May, Cape May County, and other trusted emergency management agencies.
🎒 BUILD A “GO BAG”
If you are told to evacuate, you may not have much time to gather your belongings. Keep a Go Bag ready and easy to grab.
Consider including:
🔹 Essentials
Drinking water: One gallon per person, per day.
Nonperishable food: Enough for at least 72 hours.
Baby food/formula
Medications: Include any prescription or essential medications your household members need.
Spare eyeglasses, if available.
Basic first-aid supplies.
A flashlight and extra batteries.
Phone chargers and a portable power bank.
A battery-powered AM/FM radio capable of receiving weather alerts.
🔹 Important Documents (in a waterproof bag if available)
Insurance- Home, Auto & Personal.
Mortgages, leases, rental agreements etc.
Birth certificates, wills, medical power of attorney.
Lists of financial accounts with institution name and account numbers.
List of medications including medication name, dosage, frequency & prescribing Dr.
Emergency Contacts with a list of phone numbers.
Addresses of importance such as safe location to evacuate to, local hospitals etc.
Cash or traveler’s checks. Passports or other government issued ID.
🔹 Optional Items
Pet food, crates, leashes
Maps. (apps and communication systems can fail)
Personal hygiene supplies.
A change of clothing appropriate for the season.
Dust masks or N95’s.
A whistle.
Plastic sheeting & tape.
A manual can opener.
Basic hand tools for emergency use, pliers to secure utilities.
Fire extinguisher.
Sleeping bags.
Waterproof matches.
A notebook and pen or pencil to document information from local officials.
Bible or other meaningful materials that may provide comfort during difficult times.
Don’t forget to customize your Go Bag for your household’s specific needs.
🌊 PREPARE TODAY—DON’T WAIT FOR THE STORM
Take a few minutes this month to review your emergency plan, check your supplies, and talk with your family about what you will do if an emergency occurs.
📍 Visit the City of Cape May website:
Go to CapeMayCity.com → Departments → Office of Emergency Management (OEM) for local emergency preparedness information, resources, and updates. (Cape May New Jersey)
👉 Ready.gov – Stand Ready:
https://www.ready.gov/stand-ready
Preparedness is a shared responsibility. Take action today so you, your family, and your community are ready tomorrow.
— Cape May Office of Emergency Management
Official Website of Cape May New Jersey
