Useful Resources

Start with the question you need answered. These national resources help you find information for your own state, community, utility, or destination. Choose your location on the linked service and check the date, affected area, and instructions.

Links reviewed October 19, 2026. This page is a directory, not a live incident feed. For an immediate emergency, call 911.

What is happening near me?

National Weather Service — local forecasts and warnings ↗

Enter a city or ZIP code, or select an area on the map. Read the warning text for the affected location, timing, and protective action.

USAGov — find your state emergency management agency ↗

Select your state, then follow its links to local emergency management and alert enrollment. Local evacuation, shelter, and public safety instructions may come from your city or county.

AirNow — air quality for your location ↗

Look up local air quality and health guidance. Use the Fire and Smoke Map for additional smoke context; a smoke map is not an evacuation order or a precise fire-perimeter map.

Is the road open?

Federal Highway Administration — road information by state ↗

Select a state to find traveler information and road-condition resources. Check the states along your route and your destination. Verify the road segment, direction, and update time; a blank map does not guarantee a clear route.

How widespread is the power outage?

PowerOutage.us — browse outages by state and utility ↗

Use this independent aggregator for the broader reported picture. Coverage and update times vary. For your address, restoration estimates, and outage reporting, use your power company’s official website, app, or the number on your bill. The national map does not take the place of reporting your outage.

CDC — carbon monoxide and generator precautions ↗

Review safe generator placement and carbon monoxide prevention before using fuel-powered backup equipment. Keep the instructions for your exact equipment with your household plan.

Are our food and water safe?

FoodSafety.gov — food safety during a power outage ↗

Use the refrigerator and freezer charts to decide what to keep or discard. Check time and temperature; never taste food to determine whether it is safe.

CDC — making water safe in an emergency ↗

Find guidance on emergency drinking-water treatment. Follow your water provider’s or health authority’s specific advisory: boiling does not remove every type of contamination.

What should our household prepare?

Ready.gov — household plans and supplies ↗

Start with household planning, supply kits, evacuation, and individual needs. Use the guidance to build a plan that fits your circumstances and budget.

Ready.gov — emergency alerts and warnings ↗

Learn how different warning channels work. Sign up separately for your local jurisdiction’s alerts and include more than one way to receive important instructions.

How can we keep receiving information and stay connected?

Radio-Locator — find local AM and FM stations ↗

Search by location to find nearby broadcast stations and frequencies. Identify which stations actually carry local news, weather, and emergency information, then test them on your battery-powered radio. Write down a primary and an alternate station. An internet stream still needs a working connection and is not a substitute for testing over-the-air reception.

NOAA Weather Radio — find coverage and stations ↗

Find stations, coverage information, receiver guidance, and reported transmitter outages. Test reception where you will use the radio and keep a backup information source.

FCC — personal radio services ↗

Understand services used for local radio communication, including FRS and GMRS. Check the applicable equipment and authorization requirements before transmitting.

For practical household arrangements, read our communications guide and backup communications article.

Where can we get help?

American Red Cross — find an open shelter ↗

Search current Red Cross shelter information. Check local emergency management too; not every shelter is operated or listed by the Red Cross. Confirm access and arrangements for your household before travel when possible.

DisasterAssistance.gov — federal disaster assistance ↗

Explore assistance and application information after a disaster. Eligibility depends on the program and applicable declarations; assistance is not automatic after every interruption.

Where can we learn useful skills?

American Red Cross — find first-aid and CPR training ↗

Search courses and locations. Check whether a course includes the hands-on practice and certification you need.

Your state emergency management agency can also help you locate local preparedness programs and volunteer opportunities. Ask what training and commitments a role requires before enrolling.

If you want to transmit: radio licensing

Start by choosing the radio service. A GMRS license and an amateur (ham) radio license are different authorizations; one does not give you the privileges of the other. You do not need either license to listen to ordinary AM/FM broadcasts or NOAA Weather Radio.

FCC — GMRS information and licensing ↗

Read the official requirements for General Mobile Radio Service. GMRS licensing requires an application and the applicable fee, without an examination. Review eligibility, family use, callsign identification, and equipment rules before transmitting.

FCC CORES — registration and your FCC Registration Number ↗

Use the FCC’s registration system to create or manage your account and FCC Registration Number (FRN). Keep these details somewhere you can find them when applying for or renewing a license.

FCC ULS License Manager — applications and renewals ↗

For a new GMRS license, sign in with your FRN, choose a new-license application, and select GMRS. Follow the FCC’s current application and payment instructions, then verify that your license has been granted before transmitting. Registration alone is not a license.

ARRL — getting an amateur radio license ↗

The national association for amateur radio explains license classes, study resources, and how to find an exam. Most beginners start with Technician. Amateur licensing includes an examination; follow the exam team’s instructions for registration and the FCC application process.

ARRL — find a nearby amateur radio club ↗

Search for clubs in your area and ask about beginner classes, mentors, operating practice, and public-service opportunities. A helpful local mentor can make your first radio much easier to understand.

If you use two-way radio: setup and repeaters

RepeaterBook — amateur radio repeater directory ↗

Choose the amateur directory and search your area or travel destination. Check the listed frequency, mode, access settings, and use restrictions. A directory entry does not guarantee current operation or coverage at your location; confirm with the repeater owner or a local club.

RepeaterBook — U.S. GMRS repeaters ↗

Use the separate GMRS directory to browse by state and find potential local systems. Confirm whether permission is required and obtain the owner’s current access instructions. Save the details before an outage and practice while everything is working.

CHIRP — radio programming software and supported models ↗

CHIRP is a free programming tool for many radios, including some GMRS models. Check the exact model in its supported-radio list first. Start with your manufacturer’s manual and recommended software; CHIRP support is not universal.

CHIRP — beginner’s programming guide ↗

Follow the basic workflow: use the correct cable, read the radio, save an untouched backup, make the needed changes, and test. For a GMRS repeater, confirm the receive/transmit channel pair and any required access tone with the owner. Use a radio certified for GMRS; loading GMRS frequencies into another radio does not make it approved for that service. So-called “privacy tones” do not make a conversation private.