Last updated 2 months ago. Our resources are updated regularly but please keep in mind that links, programs, policies, and contact information do change.

The landscape of emergencies in America is changing dramatically. Disasters are becoming more frequent, more intense, and more costly, shifting personal preparedness from a prudent hobby to an essential life skill for every household.

The numbers tell a stark story. Between 1980 and 1989, the nation experienced an average of 3.6 billion-dollar disasters annually. From 2020 to 2023, that average skyrocketed to 21.6 per year. Since 1980, the United States has weathered 395 separate weather and climate disasters costing over $1 billion each, with a cumulative price tag exceeding $2.77 trillion and a human toll of nearly 16,500 lives.

Tropical cyclones like hurricanes have proven to be the most destructive and deadliest category of these events. Yet while the statistics are sobering, they’re not a cause for fear—they’re a call to action.

Federal agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Federal Emergency Management Agency lead a “whole community” approach to readiness. The CDC’s Office of Readiness and Response acts as the nation’s public health defense hub, preparing for threats ranging from natural disasters to pandemics. FEMA coordinates national response but emphasizes that true resilience begins at the individual and household level.

This guide provides a comprehensive, data-driven framework for personal and family preparedness, synthesizing expert advice from the CDC, FEMA, and Ready.gov. It’s built on a simple, powerful, and proven strategy: Be Informed, Make a Plan, and Build a Kit.

Step One: Be Informed

Effective preparedness begins with knowledge. Before you can make a relevant plan or build a useful kit, you must understand the risks you face and how you’ll receive life-saving information when a crisis unfolds.

Being informed is an active process of seeking, verifying, and filtering information from a complex and often chaotic environment.

Know Your Local Risks

A generic plan is an ineffective plan. To prepare properly, you must first identify the specific hazards—natural, technological, or man-made—that are most likely to impact your community.

Engage with Local Experts: Your local emergency management office, often part of your city or county government, is the primary source for community-specific hazard information. They can provide details on local response strategies, designated public shelters, and established evacuation routes. The American Red Cross is another valuable local resource.

Use Federal Tools: The federal government provides powerful online tools to help you assess risk. FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center allows you to enter your address and see your area’s specific flood risk. For a broader view of disaster events, the U.S. Census Bureau maintains an Emergency Management Hub that provides demographic and economic data for affected areas.

Think Beyond Your Backyard: Understand that some threats have wide reach. Hurricanes aren’t exclusively coastal events. Their impacts, including destructive winds, tornadoes, and severe inland flooding from heavy rainfall, can extend hundreds of miles from where they make landfall. Similarly, wildfire smoke can travel across the continent, creating hazardous air quality far from the fire itself.

Emergency Alert Systems: Your Information Lifeline

During a crisis, seconds count. Official alerts provide life-saving instructions, such as orders to evacuate or shelter in place. Because no single system is foolproof, it’s critical to have multiple, redundant ways to receive these warnings.

A fundamental shift in preparedness strategy has occurred with the decentralization of information. Decades ago, emergency information was broadcast through a few, easily identifiable channels like the Emergency Broadcast System. Today, the digital landscape has created a multi-channel environment where information—and misinformation—spreads instantly.

This requires a more proactive approach from the public. Having “multiple ways” to receive alerts reflects the reality that some systems may fail, and a single point of failure could be catastrophic.

System Name	How It Works	How to Access	Key Benefit
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)	Geo-targeted, text-like messages sent by officials to all enabled mobile phones in a specific area. Used for imminent threats, AMBER Alerts, and Presidential alerts.	No sign-up needed. Enabled by default on most modern smartphones. Check your phone’s notification settings to ensure they are on.	Reaches you wherever you are, based on your phone’s location. Does not require you to download an app or subscribe.
Emergency Alert System (EAS)	A national public warning system that interrupts broadcast television and radio programming to deliver emergency messages.	Tune in to local TV and radio stations.	Highly resilient. It often continues to function when cellular networks or the internet are down, making it a vital backup.
NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards	A nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting 24/7 weather and hazard information directly from the National Weather Service.	Requires a special radio receiver that can be purchased online or at electronics stores.	The “voice of the NWS.” It is an “All Hazards” network that provides comprehensive and direct information on natural, environmental, and public safety threats.
FEMA App	A free mobile app providing real-time alerts from the NWS for up to five locations, shelter information, and preparedness tips.	Download for free from the iOS App Store or Google Play. More info at fema.gov/about/news-multimedia/mobile-products.	Allows you to monitor locations of family members, find open shelters during a disaster, and apply for assistance afterward.
Local Community Alerts	“Opt-in” systems run by your city or county that send alerts via text, email, or phone call.	Search online for your town, city, or county name plus the word “alerts” to find the sign-up page.	Provides highly localized information specific to your immediate community, such as local road closures or evacuation orders.

Fighting the “Infodemic”

The modern disaster landscape includes a secondary, invisible threat: the “infodemic.” The rapid, uncontrolled spread of misinformation and disinformation can cause panic, lead to poor decision-making, and undermine official response efforts.

Developing “disaster media literacy”—the ability to critically evaluate information in a crisis—is now a vital survival skill. It’s become as important as knowing how to build a kit or perform first aid.

Prioritize Official Sources: In a crisis, your primary sources of information should always be official government agencies. Look for websites ending in .gov. Key national resources include the CDC Emergency Preparedness and Response page, FEMA, and Ready.gov. Locally, trust your state and local emergency management agencies, public health departments, and first responders.

Vet Social Media with Extreme Caution: Social media platforms are powerful tools for real-time updates but are also breeding grounds for rumors. Follow the verified, official accounts of the agencies listed above, as well as trusted local news outlets. Be deeply skeptical of screenshots, forwarded messages, and unverified posts, even if they come from people you know.

Spotting Red Flags

Read Beyond the Headline: Headlines are designed to grab attention and often use emotional or sensational language. They’re not the full story. Read the actual content before reacting or sharing.

Check the Source: Is the information coming from a reputable news organization with clear editorial standards, or a blog with no listed author? Scrutinize the URL. Disinformation sites often use addresses that mimic real ones to trick you.

Look for Evidence: Credible reporting cites sources, quotes experts by name, and links to official reports. Claims made without any supporting evidence are a major red flag.

Practice Patience and Cross-Verification: The first reports in a breaking situation are often incomplete or contain errors. Before taking drastic action or sharing information, try to verify it from at least one other credible, official source. Quality journalism and official verification take time.

Step Two: Make a Plan

A plan transforms anxiety about the unknown into a confident series of actions. When a disaster strikes, you may have only moments to react, and your family members may be scattered across your community. A pre-established emergency plan ensures that everyone in your household knows what to do, how to find each other, and how to communicate.

A resilient emergency plan operates like a distributed network rather than a single, centralized document. A plan that exists only in one binder, in one location, has a single point of failure. If that home is inaccessible, the plan is useless.

The consistent guidance from federal agencies points toward creating a decentralized system of knowledge, skills, and resources. This involves having multiple meeting places and evacuation routes, using redundant communication methods, and maintaining kits in different locations.

Creating Your Family Emergency Plan

The core of your plan should address four key questions from Ready.gov:

How will I receive emergency alerts?
What is my shelter plan?
What is my evacuation route?
What is my family/household communication plan?

Hold a Family Meeting

Planning is a team sport. Involve every member of your household, including children, in the discussion. Assigning roles and responsibilities helps everyone feel empowered and ensures they understand the plan.

Develop a Family Communication Plan

Designate an Out-of-Town Contact: In a major disaster, local phone lines and cellular networks can become overloaded. It’s often easier to make a long-distance call to an unaffected area. Choose one friend or relative who lives out of state to be the central point of contact. After an emergency, every family member’s first call should be to this person to report that they’re safe.

Create Contact Cards: Every family member should carry a physical, waterproof contact card in their wallet, purse, or backpack. This card should list the out-of-town contact, other key family numbers, and the addresses of your meeting places. Also, program these numbers into all cell phones under the contact name “ICE” (In Case of Emergency), which helps first responders.

Prioritize Texting: For non-urgent communication during a crisis, text, don’t talk. Text messages use far less network bandwidth than voice calls and are more likely to get through when networks are congested. This simple practice helps keep phone lines open for life-threatening 911 calls.

Establish Meeting Places

Neighborhood Meeting Place: Designate a specific, easily identifiable spot near your home for a sudden emergency like a fire. This could be a neighbor’s mailbox, a specific tree, or the end of your driveway. The purpose is to quickly verify that everyone has gotten out safely.

Out-of-Neighborhood Meeting Place: Choose a second location farther away in case you’re unable to return to your neighborhood due to a wider-scale event. This could be a library, community center, place of worship, or a trusted friend’s home. Ensure everyone knows the address and how to get there.

Plan for Evacuation vs. Shelter-in-Place

Evacuation Plan: Know your community’s designated evacuation zones and routes. You can find this information from your local emergency management agency. Map out at least two different routes to your out-of-neighborhood meeting place. If you don’t own a vehicle, you must make transportation arrangements with friends, family, or your local government before an emergency happens. Keep your car’s gas tank at least half-full at all times, as gas stations may be closed or without power during an emergency.

Shelter-in-Place Plan: This is the primary response for events like a chemical release, where going outside is more dangerous than staying put. Identify the best room in your house to seal off: an interior room on the highest floor possible, with few or no windows, and ideally with access to a bathroom. Prepare a “sealing pack” with pre-cut plastic sheeting, duct tape, and scissors to seal windows, doors, and vents. Know how to shut down your home’s HVAC system to stop outside air from being drawn in.

Practice Your Plan

A plan on paper isn’t enough. You must practice it. Conduct fire escape drills from your home twice a year. Practice your “drop, cover, and hold on” drill for earthquakes. Drive your evacuation routes so you’re familiar with them. The more you practice, the more automatic your response will be in a real emergency, when stress and panic can make it hard to think clearly.

Safeguarding Critical Documents

In the aftermath of a disaster, your ability to recover is directly tied to your ability to prove who you are and what you own. Essential documents are required to file insurance claims, apply for disaster assistance from FEMA, and re-establish your financial life. Losing them can cause devastating delays and hardship.

Gather Your Vital Records

Personal Identification: Copies of driver’s licenses, birth certificates, Social Security cards, passports, and green cards.

Property Records: Deeds, mortgage documents or rental agreements, and vehicle titles and registrations.

Financial and Legal Documents: Bank account records, insurance policies (homeowners, renters, auto, and especially flood insurance), wills, and powers of attorney. Also, create a household inventory with photos or videos of your belongings for insurance purposes.

Medical Information: Copies of health insurance cards, a list of all medications with dosages, pharmacy information, and key medical records.

The Three-Location Storage Strategy

Location 1: Your Go-Bag. Keep one set of copies in a portable, waterproof, and fireproof container that’s part of your emergency “go-bag.”

Location 2: Secure Off-Site. Store originals or a second set of copies in a secure location away from your home, such as a bank safe deposit box or with a trusted friend or relative who lives out of town.

Location 3: The Cloud. Scan all your important documents and save them to a secure, password-protected cloud storage service or onto a password-protected USB flash drive. Keep the flash drive with your go-bag.

Planning for All Locations

Disasters don’t wait for you to be conveniently at home. Your emergency plan must be flexible enough to account for the various places your family members spend their time.

At Work: You should be prepared to shelter at your workplace for at least 24 hours. Know your employer’s emergency plan, including evacuation routes and designated shelter areas. Keep a small personal emergency kit at your desk containing comfortable walking shoes, water, non-perishable snacks, and any essential medications you might need.

At School or Daycare: Your child’s safety depends on the school’s preparedness. Meet with school officials to learn their emergency plans. Key questions to ask include: How will the school communicate with parents during a crisis? What are the procedures for evacuation versus shelter-in-place? What is the reunification plan for picking up your child? Ensure the school has your current contact information and a list of trusted adults who are authorized to pick up your child in an emergency.

In Your Vehicle: Your car can be a vital evacuation tool or a dangerous trap. Maintain a dedicated emergency kit in your vehicle. Always keep your gas tank at least half full. In the lead-up to a storm or during a widespread power outage, gas stations may be closed or unable to pump fuel, leaving you stranded.

Step Three: Build a Kit

When an emergency strikes, you may need to survive on your own for several days. Basic services like water, electricity, and phone service could be cut off. Being prepared means having your own food, water, and other essential supplies to last until help arrives.

The modern emergency kit has evolved significantly. While the foundational elements of food, water, and first aid remain paramount, the realities of our technologically dependent society have introduced a new core category: backup power.

In the 21st century, survival is inextricably linked to information and communication. A dead cell phone means an inability to receive life-saving alerts, access the FEMA app for shelter locations, or execute a family communication plan. For a growing number of Americans who rely on electricity-dependent medical devices, a power outage is a direct and immediate health crisis.

Therefore, the kit is no longer just a box of physical supplies; it’s a personal resilience hub that must sustain the body, the connection to information networks, and the function of critical medical technology.

The “Go-Bag” vs. The “Stay-at-Home” Kit

Your supplies should be organized to accommodate two primary scenarios: evacuating at a moment’s notice or sheltering in your home for an extended period.

The Go-Bag (Evacuation Kit): This is a lightweight, portable kit that each person in your household can grab instantly. It should be packed in a backpack or duffel bag and contain the absolute essentials to last for at least three days.

The Stay-at-Home Kit (Shelter-in-Place Kit): This is a larger stockpile of supplies to enable your household to survive without outside help for up to two weeks. These supplies can be stored together in large, sealed plastic bins in a designated location like a closet, basement, or garage.

The Ultimate Emergency Kit Checklist

This checklist synthesizes authoritative recommendations from the CDC, FEMA, and the American Red Cross into a single, comprehensive guide.

Water: Your Most Important Supply

Quantity: Plan for a minimum of one gallon of water per person, per day. This provides for drinking and basic sanitation. Your Go-Bag should have a 3-day supply, while your home kit should have a 2-week supply. Remember to include water for pets.

Storage: Commercially bottled water is the safest and most convenient option. Store it in a cool, dark place and observe the expiration date. If you store your own tap water, use clean, food-grade plastic containers, sanitize them properly, and replace the water every six months.

Food

Quantity: Stock at least a 3-day supply for your Go-Bag and a 2-week supply for your home kit.

Type: Choose non-perishable foods that require little or no cooking, water, or refrigeration. Focus on high-energy and high-protein items.

Recommended Items: Canned meats, fish, fruits, and vegetables; dried fruit; peanut butter; nuts; protein or granola bars; crackers; dry cereal. If you have an infant, include ready-to-use formula and baby food.

Crucial Tool: Every kit must contain a manual can opener.

First Aid and Medical Supplies

First Aid Kit: You can buy a pre-packaged kit or build your own. It should include sterile bandages and gauze in various sizes, antiseptic wipes, adhesive tape, antibiotic ointment, pain relievers, scissors, and tweezers.

Prescription Medications: The CDC recommends having at least a two-week supply of all essential prescription medications in your kit. This can be challenging due to insurance limitations. Speak with your doctor and pharmacist about obtaining an extra supply for emergency purposes. Keep a written list of all medications, dosages, prescribing doctor, and pharmacy information.

Non-Prescription Medications: Pain and fever reducers (ibuprofen, acetaminophen), anti-diarrhea medication, antacids, and laxatives.

Other Medical Items: Glasses or contact lenses and solution. Hearing aids with extra batteries. A medical alert bracelet or necklace for anyone with a serious medical condition.

Tools and Safety Items

Lighting: Flashlights are essential. LED flashlights are efficient. Include extra batteries for each one. A hand-crank flashlight is an excellent, reliable backup.

Communication: A NOAA Weather Radio with battery-power or hand-crank option. Many models also include a USB port to charge a cell phone.

Signaling for Help: A whistle is small, loud, and can be crucial for alerting rescuers to your location.

Utilities: A wrench or pliers to turn off water and gas utilities. Important: Only turn off your gas if you smell gas or hear it leaking, and never attempt to turn it back on yourself. Only a qualified professional should restore gas service.

Fire Safety: A small, ABC-type fire extinguisher.

Air Filtration: Dust masks (NIOSH-approved N95 respirators are best) to filter smoke, dust, and other contaminants.

Shelter-in-Place: Plastic sheeting and duct tape to seal windows, doors, and vents.

Personal Care and Sanitation

Moist towelettes, soap, and hand sanitizer
Toilet paper, garbage bags, and plastic ties for personal sanitation
Toothbrush, toothpaste, and other personal hygiene items, including feminine supplies

Backup Power and Electronics

Cell phone with chargers
Portable power bank or external battery
A solar-powered charger is a valuable addition for extended outages

Important Documents and Cash

Include your waterproof, portable container with copies of all the critical documents identified in Section 2
Include cash or traveler’s checks in small denominations. Power outages can render ATMs and credit card readers useless

Clothing and Comfort

One complete change of weather-appropriate clothing for each person, including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and sturdy, comfortable, closed-toe shoes
A sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
For children, include books, games, puzzles, or a favorite stuffed animal or blanket to help reduce stress and pass the time

Maintaining Your Kit: A Living System

A “set it and forget it” approach to your emergency kit is a recipe for failure. Supplies expire, batteries lose their charge, and your family’s needs evolve over time. Regular maintenance is a non-negotiable part of being prepared.

Set a Biannual Reminder: Mark your calendar to check your kits twice a year. A good time to do this is when you change your clocks for daylight saving time.

Rotate Your Supplies: Check the expiration dates on all food, water, medications, and batteries. Place items nearing expiration in your pantry for regular use and replace them with fresh supplies in your kit. This “first-in, first-out” rotation prevents waste and ensures your kit is always ready.

Test Your Equipment: Turn on your flashlights and radio to make sure they work. Check your fire extinguisher’s pressure gauge. Inflate your air mattresses to check for leaks.

Conduct an Annual Review: At least once a year, sit down with your family and review your entire preparedness plan and kit contents. Have your needs changed? Perhaps you have a new baby, a new pet, or a family member has developed a new medical condition. Update your kits and your plan accordingly.

Store Kits Properly: Keep your kits in a cool, dry, and dark place to prolong the life of the supplies. Ensure they’re stored in a location that’s easily accessible in an emergency, such as a hall closet, garage, or under a bed. Every member of the household should know where the kits are located.

Preparedness for Specific Emergencies

While the core principles of being informed, making a plan, and building a kit apply to all emergencies, different hazards require specific actions to stay safe. Different hazards have unique “before, during, and after” phases that require specific responses.

A critical theme that emerges from analyzing hazard-specific guidance is the danger of post-event secondary hazards. The initial disaster—the storm’s passage, the earthquake’s shaking—is often just the first phase of the threat. The period after the primary event is fraught with dangers that can be equally or more lethal.

After a hurricane, the greatest risks may not be from wind but from contaminated floodwater, downed power lines, and carbon monoxide poisoning from generators. After a wildfire, toxic smoke and ash can linger for days, posing severe respiratory threats. After an earthquake, the danger comes from aftershocks, gas-leak fires, and collapse of weakened structures.

Natural Disasters

Hurricanes

Hurricanes are powerful tropical cyclones that bring multiple threats, including storm surge, high winds, heavy rainfall, and tornadoes. They’re not just a coastal problem; their impacts can be felt hundreds of miles inland. Hurricanes have caused over $1.5 trillion in damages since 1980, making them the costliest type of climate-related disaster in U.S. history.

Before a Hurricane:

Plan and Prepare: Finalize your family emergency plan and check your supply kits. Know your evacuation zone by visiting your local emergency management website or Ready.gov’s hurricane page. If you’re in an evacuation zone, decide where you’ll go—a friend’s house inland, a hotel, or a public shelter.

Wildfires

Wildfires are unplanned, fast-spreading fires that are becoming more frequent and intense in many parts of the country. Their primary threats are the fire itself and the widespread smoke, which can pose serious health risks hundreds of miles away.

Before a Wildfire:

Create Defensible Space: This is the most important step to protect your home. Create a 30-foot zone around your house that’s free of leaves, dead vegetation, and other flammable materials. Trim trees and shrubs regularly.

Harden Your Home: Use fire-resistant materials for roofing and siding. Cover vents with metal mesh to keep embers out.

Prepare to Breathe Safely: Have NIOSH-approved N95 respirators in your emergency kit for every family member. Plan for a “clean room” in your home by using a portable air cleaner with a HEPA filter.

During a Wildfire:

Evacuate Immediately: If local authorities issue an evacuation order, don’t wait. Leave immediately. Have your Go-Bag ready and know multiple escape routes from your neighborhood.

If Sheltering from Smoke: Stay indoors. Close all windows and doors. Turn off air conditioners that draw in outside air. Run your HEPA filter in your designated clean room.

Protect Your Lungs: If you must go outside in smoky conditions, wear a properly fitted N95 respirator. Paper dust masks, scarves, or bandanas won’t protect you from the fine particles in smoke.

After a Wildfire:

Return Home Safely: Don’t return until officials declare it’s safe.

Protect Yourself from Ash: When cleaning up, wear gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, sturdy shoes, and goggles. Always wear an N95 respirator to avoid inhaling ash, which can contain toxic materials. Children shouldn’t participate in cleanup activities.

Check Water Safety: Be aware that private wells and other water sources can be contaminated by fire retardants or other chemicals after a fire. Wait for guidance from your local health department before using the water.

Floods

Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States, and they can occur in any state. They can develop slowly or happen with no warning, as in a flash flood.

Before a Flood:

Know Your Risk and Get Insured: Use FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center to understand your risk. Crucially, purchase flood insurance. Standard homeowners and renters insurance policies don’t cover flood damage. There’s typically a 30-day waiting period for a new policy to take effect, so you must plan ahead.

Protect Your Home: Move important documents and valuables to the highest possible floor. Clear debris from gutters and drains. Consider installing a sump pump with a battery backup.

During a Flood:

Turn Around, Don’t Drown! This is the most important rule. Never attempt to walk, swim, or drive through floodwaters. The water may be deeper and faster-moving than it appears, and the road beneath could be washed out. Just six inches of moving water can knock an adult off their feet, and one foot can sweep a vehicle away.

Evacuate or Move to High Ground: Follow evacuation orders immediately. If you’re trapped in your home by rising water, move to the highest level. Don’t climb into a closed attic, where you could become trapped.

After a Flood:

Stay Out of Floodwater: Post-flood water is a dangerous, toxic mixture of sewage, chemicals, animal waste, and hidden debris. It can also be electrically charged by downed power lines.

Re-enter with Caution: Don’t return to your home until officials say it’s safe. Check for any structural damage before entering.

Prevent Mold: After a flood, you must clean and dry your house and everything in it within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth. Discard any items that can’t be washed and disinfected.

Food and Water Safety: Throw away any food, including canned goods, that came into contact with floodwater.

Tornadoes

Tornadoes are violently rotating columns of air with winds that can exceed 200 miles per hour. They can happen anywhere, often with little to no warning.

Before a Tornado:

Know the Signs: Be alert for a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud; a dark, greenish sky; large hail; or a loud roar that sounds like a freight train.

Identify Your Safe Shelter: The safest place is a basement, storm cellar, or a FEMA-approved safe room. If you don’t have one, the next best shelter is a small, interior, windowless room on the lowest level of a sturdy building, such as a bathroom or closet.

Practice Drills: Regularly practice your tornado drill with your family so everyone knows where to go and what to do instantly.

During a Tornado:

Go to Your Shelter Immediately: When a tornado warning is issued, don’t wait. Go to your safe place.

Get Low and Cover Your Head: Get under something sturdy like a heavy table or workbench. Cover your head and neck with your arms, a blanket, or even a mattress. The CDC notes that wearing a helmet can offer additional protection from head injuries, but it should be kept in your shelter and not delay you from getting there.

Avoid Unsafe Locations: Never stay in a mobile home or a vehicle. Both can be easily tossed by tornado winds. Don’t seek shelter under a bridge or overpass, as this offers little protection from flying debris and can create a dangerous traffic bottleneck.

After a Tornado:

Be Careful: Stay out of damaged buildings. Watch out for fallen power lines and broken glass.

Communicate Safely: Use text messages or social media to contact family, as phone systems will be overloaded. Save 911 calls for life-threatening emergencies.

Earthquakes

Earthquakes are the sudden shaking of the ground caused by the movement of underground rock. They strike without warning.

Before an Earthquake:

Secure Your Space: The greatest danger in an earthquake is from falling objects. Secure heavy furniture like bookcases and appliances like water heaters to wall studs. Move heavy pictures and mirrors away from beds and couches.

Practice: The correct response to an earthquake isn’t intuitive. You must practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On with your family and coworkers so it becomes an automatic reaction.

During an Earthquake:

Drop, Cover, and Hold On:

DROP to your hands and knees
COVER your head and neck with your arms and crawl under a sturdy table or desk for shelter. If no shelter is nearby, crawl to an interior wall away from windows
HOLD ON to your shelter until the shaking stops

Stay Put: If you’re inside, stay inside. If you’re outside, stay outside and move to an open area. Don’t run outside during the shaking, as this is where you’re most likely to be hit by falling debris from the building. Don’t use elevators.

After an Earthquake:

Expect Aftershocks: Be prepared to Drop, Cover, and Hold On again when aftershocks occur.

Check for Hazards: Once the shaking stops, check yourself and others for injuries. If you’re in a damaged building, get outside and away from the structure. Check for gas leaks, electrical damage, and water line damage.

Tsunami Risk: If you’re in a coastal area, move to higher ground as soon as the shaking stops, as an earthquake can trigger a tsunami.

Extreme Heat

Extreme heat is a period of dangerously hot and humid weather. It’s responsible for the highest number of weather-related deaths in the U.S. each year.

Before Extreme Heat:

Prepare Your Home: Install window air conditioners, insulate around them, and use drapes or shades to block the sun. Weather-strip doors and windows.

Identify Cooling Centers: Locate places in your community where you can go to get cool, such as libraries, shopping malls, or official public cooling centers.

Plan for Power Outages: Extreme heat often strains the electrical grid, leading to outages. Have a plan for how you’ll stay cool if the power goes out.

During Extreme Heat:

Stay in Air Conditioning: This is the most effective way to stay safe. If you don’t have A/C at home, go to a cooling center. Don’t rely on a fan as your primary cooling device when temperatures are above 90°F; fans create air flow but don’t lower your body temperature.

Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids (preferably water) throughout the day, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and sugary drinks.

Limit Outdoor Activity: If you must be outside, stay in the shade and limit activity to the cooler morning and evening hours. Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.

Never Leave People or Pets in a Parked Car: Temperatures inside a car can become lethal in a matter of minutes.

After (Recognizing Heat Illness):

Know the Signs: Learn to recognize the symptoms of heat exhaustion (heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, headache) and heat stroke (extremely high body temperature, red hot dry skin, confusion, loss of consciousness).

Act Fast: Heat stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency. Call 911 immediately and try to cool the person down with cool cloths or a cool bath until help arrives.

Public Health Emergencies

Pandemics

A pandemic is a global outbreak of a new disease that can spread easily from person to person. Planning and response are complex and require coordinated efforts from public health officials worldwide.

Before a Pandemic:

Prepare for Disruptions: Your planning should include the possibility of school and workplace closures, supply chain disruptions, and the need to stay home for several weeks. Your emergency kit should include a multi-week supply of food, water, prescription medications, and cleaning supplies.

Stock Health Supplies: Keep a supply of face masks, hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, and household disinfectants.

During a Pandemic:

Follow Public Health Guidance: The most important action is to follow the guidance of the CDC and your state and local health departments. Recommendations will change as the situation evolves.

Practice Core Prevention Strategies: These are actions that help reduce the spread of respiratory viruses:

Stay Up-to-Date on Vaccinations: Vaccines are a primary tool for preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death
Practice Good Hygiene: Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Cover coughs and sneezes
Improve Air Quality: Take steps for cleaner air, such as opening windows or using high-efficiency filters
Stay Home When Sick: If you have respiratory symptoms, stay home and away from others to prevent spreading the virus

After a Pandemic:

Evaluate and Update: Review your family’s emergency plan and discuss what worked and what didn’t. Use the lessons learned to improve your preparedness for future public health emergencies.

Technological and Other Hazards

Power Outages

Power outages can be caused by severe weather, equipment failure, or other events. They can disrupt communications, water, and transportation and last for hours or even days.

Before a Power Outage:

Plan for Medical Needs: If you or a family member relies on medical equipment that requires electricity or medications that need refrigeration, you must have a backup power plan. Talk to your doctor and utility company about your needs.

Build Your Kit: Your kit should include flashlights (not candles), extra batteries, a power bank for charging your phone, and a battery-powered radio.

Prepare Your Fridge/Freezer: Keep appliance thermometers in your refrigerator and freezer so you can know if food is safe to eat. A full freezer will keep food frozen for about 48 hours; a half-full freezer for about 24 hours.

During a Power Outage:

Generator Safety: If you use a portable generator, it must be operated outdoors and at least 20 feet away from any window, door, or vent to prevent deadly carbon monoxide poisoning. Never run a generator in a garage or basement.

Keep Doors Closed: Keep refrigerator and freezer doors shut as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature.

Use Lights Safely: Use battery-powered flashlights or lanterns instead of candles to minimize the risk of fire.

After a Power Outage:

Food Safety is Key: When in doubt, throw it out. Discard any refrigerated food that was at a temperature of 40°F or higher for more than 4 hours. Throw out any thawed food from your freezer that has an unusual odor, color, or texture.

Prevent Power Surges: Unplug appliances and electronics during the outage to protect them from damage when the power is restored.

Chemical Emergencies

A chemical emergency involves the intentional or unintentional release of a hazardous chemical that can harm people’s health.

Before a Chemical Emergency:

Know Your Response: The two primary responses are evacuation and shelter-in-place. Your plan should cover both.

Prepare to Shelter-in-Place: This is often the recommended action for a chemical release. Your kit should include plastic sheeting, scissors, and duct tape to seal a designated room.

During a Chemical Emergency:

Listen to Authorities: Immediately tune in to local news or alerts for instructions on whether to evacuate or shelter-in-place.

If Exposed, Follow Three Steps: Get Away, Get Clean, Get Help.

Get Away: Quickly move away from the area of the release, preferably upwind
Get Clean (Decontaminate): This is critical. Remove all of your clothing (this can remove up to 90% of the chemical). Wash yourself thoroughly with soap and water. If you can’t shower, wipe off as much of the chemical as you can. Put contaminated clothing in a plastic bag, seal it, and then place that bag inside another bag
Get Help: Call 911 or the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 and seek immediate medical attention

After a Chemical Emergency:

Don’t leave your shelter or return to an evacuated area until authorities declare it’s safe. Follow official instructions for the proper disposal of contaminated items.

Bioterrorism

Bioterrorism is the deliberate release of viruses, bacteria, or other germs to cause illness or death. An agent like Bacillus anthracis, which causes anthrax, is considered a likely agent because its spores are hardy and can be released quietly and without detection.

Before a Bioterrorism Event:

Understand the Response Plan: In a large-scale biological event, the federal government’s Strategic National Stockpile would provide medication and supplies to the public through local Points of Dispensing (PODs). These are temporary sites set up in places like schools or community centers.

Prepare Your Family’s Information: To receive the correct medication quickly at a POD, you’ll need to provide basic medical information for each family member. Prepare a card for your kit that includes each person’s known allergies (especially to antibiotics), chronic health conditions, current medications, and for children, their approximate weight.

During a Bioterrorism Event:

Stay Informed: The first sign of a covert attack may be an unusual pattern of illness reported by hospitals. Public health officials will provide information through news and alerts about the specific disease, symptoms to watch for, and who is at risk.

Follow Public Health Orders: You may be advised to quarantine (staying away from others if you were exposed) or isolate (staying away from others if you’re sick). Follow all instructions from doctors and health officials.

After Exposure/Treatment:

If you’re prescribed antibiotics or other medications, it’s critical that you take the full course as directed, even if you start to feel better. This is essential for your health and for preventing the spread of disease.

Special Considerations for Your Household

True preparedness is inclusive. A one-size-fits-all plan isn’t sufficient to protect a diverse community. Modern emergency management guidance reflects a crucial shift toward an equity-focused framework, acknowledging that a community is only as resilient as its most vulnerable members.

Disasters disproportionately affect older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income households. Federal agencies have developed extensive, detailed guidance for these populations, moving beyond generic advice to address specific barriers related to medical needs, mobility, communication, and economic stability.

Preparedness for Older Adults

Older adults may face greater risks during emergencies due to chronic health conditions, reliance on medications, mobility limitations, and potential social isolation.

Build a Support Network: This is one of the most important steps. Create a network of family, friends, neighbors, and caregivers who agree to check on you during an emergency. Give at least one trusted person in your network a key to your home and make sure they know where your emergency supplies are located and how to use any necessary medical equipment.

Plan for Medical Needs: Your emergency kit must contain at least a two-week supply of all prescription and over-the-counter medications. Keep a current list of all medications, dosages, and allergies. If you use medications that require refrigeration (like insulin) or medical equipment that needs power, you must have a backup plan. Discuss this with your doctor and power company.

Plan for Evacuation: If you no longer drive or have mobility challenges, arrange for transportation in advance. Your support network or local emergency services may be able to help. Find out which local shelters are accessible and can meet your specific needs.

Secure Your Finances: Disasters can disrupt mail service for weeks. If you depend on regular benefit checks, such as Social Security, protect yourself by switching to electronic payments. You can sign up for direct deposit at ssa.gov/deposit or by calling 800-333-1795.

Key Resources: The national Eldercare Locator service can connect you to local assistance programs by calling 1-800-677-1116. Ready.gov offers a dedicated guide for older adults.

Preparedness for People with Disabilities

People with disabilities may face significant barriers during an emergency related to transportation, communication, and access to medical care and equipment. Planning must be highly individualized to address specific needs.

Create an Individualized Plan: Your needs are unique. Don’t rely on voluntary registries alone, as first responders may be overwhelmed and unable to reach you. Your personal plan is your primary tool for safety.

Plan for Medical Equipment and Assistive Technology:

Power Dependency: If you use a power wheelchair, ventilator, or other device that requires electricity, plan for power outages. Know how long your backup batteries will last and have a plan for recharging them. Talk to your utility company about being placed on a “life-sustaining equipment” list for priority power restoration
Backup Devices: If possible, have a backup, such as a lightweight manual wheelchair if you use a power chair. Keep extra batteries for hearing aids, communication devices, and other essential equipment

Plan for Communication: If you’re deaf, hard of hearing, blind, have low vision, or have a speech disability, your plan must include how you’ll receive emergency alerts and communicate with responders. This could involve having a battery-powered TTY, carrying pre-printed communication cards that explain your needs, or ensuring your support network knows how to assist you.

Plan for Evacuation: Identify accessible transportation in advance. Discuss your needs with your personal support network and local transit authorities. When planning where to go, confirm that shelters or hotels can accommodate your needs, including a service animal.

Service Animals: Your plan must include your service animal. Pack a kit for them with food, water, medications, and vaccination records. By law, public emergency shelters must allow service animals.

Key Resources: The Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) provides help finding local resources at 888-677-1199. The CDC and Ready.gov offer extensive resources and checklists.

Preparedness for Children

Emergencies can be terrifying for children, but involving them in preparedness in an age-appropriate way can reduce their anxiety and empower them with life-saving skills.

Involve Them in Planning: Talk to your children about why you’re preparing in a calm and reassuring manner. Let them help build the emergency kit by finding items on a checklist. Practice your fire escape and shelter drills together. This involvement gives them a sense of control and familiarity.

Customize Their Kit: In addition to their basic needs, include a few small, comforting items in their Go-Bag. This could be a favorite stuffed animal, a blanket, books, or quiet games. These items can be invaluable for reducing stress in a shelter or during a long evacuation.

Plan for Infants and Toddlers: Your kit must be tailored to their specific needs. Include ready-to-use infant formula (don’t assume you’ll have safe water for mixing), bottles, diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream, and any necessary medications.

Address Emotional Needs After a Disaster: Pay close attention to changes in behavior, such as clinginess, nightmares, or withdrawal. Reassure them that they’re safe and that you’re there to protect them. Try to re-establish routines as quickly as possible. Limit their exposure to frightening images on television and social media, as young children may not understand that the footage is being repeated.

Key Resources: The CDC provides child-friendly materials like the Ready Wrigley activity books to teach preparedness concepts in an engaging way.

Preparedness for Pets

Pets are members of the family, and they depend on you for their safety. If a situation isn’t safe for you, it’s not safe for your pets. Leaving them behind not only puts them in grave danger but also puts first responders at risk who may try to rescue them.

Plan to Take Them With You: Your emergency plan must include your pets. The most critical step is to identify where you’ll go if you need to evacuate. Most public shelters don’t accept pets (service animals are the legal exception). Before an emergency, research pet-friendly hotels or motels, contact boarding facilities, or arrange to stay with friends or relatives outside the evacuation zone.

Build a Pet Emergency Kit: Your pet needs their own Go-Bag. It should include:

Food and Water: At least a three-day supply of food in an airtight, waterproof container and a three-day supply of water, specifically for your pet
Medications and Records: A supply of any necessary medications and copies of their medical and vaccination records stored in a waterproof bag
Essential Supplies: A collar or harness with an ID tag, a sturdy leash, a pet carrier large enough for them to stand, turn around, and lie down in, and waste bags or a small litter box and litter for cats
Comfort and Safety: A favorite toy or blanket to reduce stress, and a recent photo of you with your pet. This photo can help you identify your pet and prove ownership if you become separated

Ensure Proper Identification: Make sure your pet is wearing a collar with up-to-date identification tags at all times. Consider getting your pet microchipped, and ensure the registration information is current.

The changing nature of disasters in America demands that we all become more prepared. The statistics are clear: emergencies are becoming more frequent and severe. But with the right knowledge, plan, and supplies, you can protect yourself and your loved ones.

Remember the three fundamental steps: Be Informed, Make a Plan, and Build a Kit. These aren’t one-time activities—they’re ongoing responsibilities that require regular attention and updates.

Your preparedness doesn’t just protect your household; it strengthens your entire community. When individuals and families are ready, they place less strain on emergency services, allowing first responders to help those who need it most.

Our articles make government information more accessible. Please consult a qualified professional for financial, legal, or health advice specific to your circumstances.

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Author: GovFacts

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Your Emergency Preparedness Guide: Expert Tips to Help Save Your Life