Prepare for Disaster: What You Need to Know
Hurricanes, wildfires, and floods have recently devastated communities across the United States, displacing families and damaging homes. Natural disasters can strike almost anywhere — and often without warning. The best way to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your home is to prepare before they happen. A little planning today can save lives tomorrow.
1. Make an Emergency Kit
Having an emergency kit ready can make a critical difference during a disaster. Pack enough supplies for at least three days. Include:
- Bottled water and canned food
- Flashlights and batteries
- Prescription medications and a first-aid kit
- Copies of important documents (IDs, insurance papers, deeds)
- Phone chargers and extra cash
- Pet food and supplies for your animals
Keep your kit in a waterproof container and store it in a place that’s easy to grab quickly.
Learn how to make a kit: https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/common-natural-disasters-across-us.html
2. Plan Where to Go
Create a family plan for what to do if you need to leave home in a hurry.
Discuss:
- Safe meeting places in case you get separated
- The best evacuation routes from your home and neighborhood
- Which friends or relatives you could stay with if necessary
- Emergency contact numbers written down and saved in everyone’s phones
Once you’ve made your plan, practice it together so everyone knows what to do when seconds count.
3. Stay Informed
Knowledge is protection. Always pay attention to official weather alerts on your phone, TV, or radio. Local authorities will issue instructions about whether to evacuate or stay put.
Sign up for text or email alerts from your city or state emergency management office. These real-time updates can help you make the safest decisions in fast-changing situations.
4. Practice and Help Others
Emergency preparedness is stronger when communities work together. Practice your emergency plan with family members several times a year, and look for ways to help your neighbors. You can:
- Organize a local supply drive
- Volunteer after a disaster
- Share safety information online or at community centers
5. Why Being Ready Matters
Preparedness is about more than supplies — it’s about peace of mind. Having a plan and the right tools can make frightening moments safer and less confusing.
Being ready means you can protect yourself, help others, and recover more quickly. Even simple steps — like checking your emergency kit once a year or saving your city’s emergency number — can have a big impact.
Click on the URL for an interactive map showing you where there is risk of environmental issues:
