The Smithsonian Institution collects, maintains and preserves this Nation's material and intellectual history while conducting scientific research for the enhancement of people everywhere. It is imperative that SI has a current and viable disaster management program in place to protect our staff, visitors, collections and research when disaster or emergencies occur.

This web site is part of that commitment. Our primary objective is to inform you when an event has occurred that may affect the status of our museums and whether or not our staff should report to work.

On this main page, when applicable, you will find an "ALERT" -- this is where opening and closing information for our museums can be found and where SI will communicate the latest available information.

In addition, this web site offers you a variety of information, advice, and useful links to other sites to help prepare your family for an emergency.