Excerpted from ready.gov Before:

• Build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.
• Know where to shelter (ie: basement, interior room/hall, bathroom, closet, etc) if conditions warrant and where shelters in your area are located.
• Ensure your home is ready - Elevate items in the basement which could be flooded. Bring in outdoors items such as children's toys, patio furniture, garbage cans, etc which could be blown around and damaged. Remove dead or rotting trees and branches that could fall and cause injury or damage.
• More about:
• What to do before severe weather.