Your natural disaster action plan
You can’t stop floods, fires or hurricanes. But you can prepare for them. Learn simple steps to keep your family safe during emergencies.
Disasters like storms and fires can happen without warning. But having a plan can help keep your family safe.
Preparation is even more important if you’re managing a health issue. Do you have all the medicines you need? What happens if you can’t see a doctor for your regular care?
Read on to learn steps you can take now to prepare for a disaster. Plus, what to do during and after a disaster.
How to prepare for a disaster
1. Know your threats
Start by learning which disasters are common in your area. Common natural disasters include:
- Blizzards or snow storms
- Earthquakes
- Heat waves
- Hurricanes
- Tornadoes
- Wildfires
Find out if you live in an evacuation zone or flood prone area. Check your city or county website for maps. You can also call your local government office and ask.
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2. Make a plan
Talk with your family about what you'd do during different disasters. Think about where you’d go if you had to evacuate. Do you have family or friends you could stay with? Does your neighborhood have emergency shelters? If you have pets, keep in mind: Some shelters and hotels don’t accept pets.
Choose a meeting spot in case your family gets separated. It could be a friend’s house, a church, a park or a landmark.
3. Keep valuables safe
Gather important documents, such as:
- Copies of photo IDs (such as driver’s license or passport)
- Bank account info or copies of debit/credit cards
- Insurance cards
- Proof of address (such as utility bills or lease agreement)
- Copies of birth certificates or other important documents
- List of health conditions, prescription meds and allergies for each family member
- Doctor and pharmacy phone numbers
- Emergency contacts
Store papers in a waterproof container. Keep everything in one place and have back-ups. Save copies on your phone if possible.
And don’t forget to keep this info up to date. Set a reminder to review and update it at least once a year.
4. Build an emergency kit
During a disaster, stores and pharmacies may close. Power may go out. Roads may be unsafe. Having supplies ready can help your family stay safe.
Your emergency kit may include:
- Water (one gallon per person daily)
- Food that won’t go bad, like canned and packaged foods
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- A battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Phone chargers or backup power sources (get solar-powered chargers if you can)
- A first aid kit
- Hand sanitizer and personal hygiene items
- Sturdy shoes, rain gear and a change of clothes
- Food, medicines and a leash or carrier for pets
Be sure to include any prescription meds. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist. They may give you an extra supply of your meds. Make sure to store your meds safely. For example, insulin needs to stay cool.
What to do during a disaster
Focus on safety first. If you have time, review your emergency plan with your family. Gather up all your supplies. Be prepared to evacuate if needed. Check in with friends, family and neighbors.
For storms, like hurricanes, prepare your home:
- Bring outdoor items inside, such as patio furniture, grills and trash cans.
- Cover windows and doors with shutters if you have them.
- Move valuables to a higher floor or shelf. Store important paperwork in a waterproof container.
- Freeze water bottles. Have a cooler ready in case the power goes out.
- If you use a generator, keep it outside and at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents. Never run a generator in your home or garage.
Follow local alerts and instructions. If you’re told to evacuate, do so as quickly and safely as you can.
Different disasters can bring different health risks. Hurricanes and floods may lead to unsafe water or mold. Wildfire smoke and poor air quality can worsen breathing problems. Extreme heat can raise the risk of dehydration.
Seek medical care right away for:
- Serious injuries
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Confusion
What to do after a disaster
Start with small steps to return to your normal routine. Keep in mind that recovery may take time.
Your first few tasks should be:
- Return home only when local officials say it’s safe. Watch for downed power lines, gas leaks and damaged buildings.
- Stay out of floodwater. Keep children and pets away from damaged areas until cleanup is done.
- Refill your prescriptions. Contact your doctor or health plan if you need help getting care.
- When in doubt, throw it out. Toss food, drinks and medicine that may have touched floodwater.
- Check water safety. Boil water or use bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth if needed.
- Clean up safely. Wear gloves and sturdy boots. If you see mold, consider wearing a mask and opening windows for fresh air.
- Take photos of damage and keep receipts. This can help if you need to replace items or file claims.
Don’t be afraid ask for help. Many communities offer recovery support after major storms.
See our sources:
Preparing for and responding to natural disasters: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Creating an emergency plan: Ready.gov
Building an emergency kit: Ready.gov
Hurricane safety: American Red Cross
Extreme heat safety: American Red Cross
Thunderstorm safety: American Red Cross
