How to Be Prepared for Natural Disasters

Co-authored by Direct Relief and Sophia Latorre

Last Updated: May 6, 2021 References Approved

The thought of a natural disaster can be frightening, but you can prepare yourself and your family with a few simple steps. Though you may not know what kind of disaster will strike or when, if you take the time to prepare for several possible scenarios you’ll be ready in the event of an emergency.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Creating a Plan

1
Fill out an emergency plan. Create an emergency plan for your family in case of a natural disaster. Include household information, out-of-town contacts, and school, workplace, and childcare contact information and emergency contingencies. Add your evacuation routes and shelter plans as well. Several websites have templates for emergency plans, like https://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan.^{[1]
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Trustworthy Source
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Federal agency responsible for coordinating responses to disasters and states of emergency
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2
Discuss how to prepare and respond to most likely disasters. Consider scenarios for the events that are most likely to happen in your area. Make sure everyone in your family knows how to react to different disasters, including tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, fires, winter storms, and power outages. Pinpoint the safest spots in your home for each type of disaster.^{[2]
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Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- For example, make an emergency plan for a flood if you live near a waterway, or an emergency plan for a winter storm if you live in a cold climate.
- The highest level in your home is the safest place during a flood, while the lowest level is safest during a tornado, for instance.
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3
Identify 3 ways to get warnings. Sirens are generally insufficient warnings for natural disasters. However, in case of a power outage, you cannot rely solely on your television or landline phone for warnings, either. Sign up to receive emergency alerts from your local government by text message or email. You should also have a battery-operated AM/FM radio (and extra batteries) on hand as well.^{[3]
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4
Determine the best evacuation routes. Identify all the entries and exits in your home and plan how you will evacuate your home (by car or by foot, for instance). Determine where you will go in the event that you cannot remain in your home or even in your region. Then, map out several routes for getting out of your city and state or region. Be sure to brief all your family members about evacuation strategies and exit plans.^{[4]
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- It’s important to have multiple options in case roadways are damaged during a disaster.
5
Decide how family members will communicate. Come up with a communication plan in case you are separated in the event of a disaster.^{[5]
X
Research source} You may want to provide each member of the family with a prepaid cell phone and charger, for instance. Make a contact card for each member of the family so they have all the phone numbers and addresses they may need.^{[6]
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Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- Text messages are more reliable than phone calls during emergencies. Make sure children know how to operate a cell phone and send a text message.
6
Choose multiple meeting spots. In case all of your family members aren’t able to reach a designated meeting place, you should have several contingencies. Choose one location in your neighborhood or close to your home as well as one that is located out of town. Plan to meet at the closest location in the event of an emergency, and keep the out-of-town location as a backup in case a disaster prevents you from meeting at the primary location.^{[7]
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Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
7
Run practice drills. It’s important to practice what to do in case of a natural disaster, especially if you have children. Each year, you should do a practice drill for each type of disaster that could occur.^{[8]
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Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- For example, conduct a home fire drill if you live in an area prone to drought and wildfire.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Packing an Emergency Kit

1
Pack a 3-day supply of nonperishable food and water. Choose food items with a long shelf life, such as canned goods and packaged pantry items. Opt for items that don’t require refrigeration, but also those that require little cooking in case you don’t have power due to a disaster. Store 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water per person (and per pet) per day. Don’t forget formula and bottles if you have an infant, as well as pet food for any pets.^{[9]
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Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- Tap water may be unsafe to drink in the event of a disaster, so be sure to include plenty of purified water in bottles or jugs.
- Canned soup, tuna, nuts, dried fruit, beef jerky, nut butter, protein bars, cereal, powdered milk, dry pasta, and packaged crackers are good options.
- Don’t forget to pack a can opener, utensils, dishes, waterproof matches, and a camp stove, if possible.
- At the minimum you should have a 3 day supply of food and water ready, but it’s best to store enough for 2 weeks.
2
Include clothing, shoes, and toiletries. Pack a 3-day supply of clothing (including multiple layers), socks, and an extra pair of shoes for each member of the family. Toiletries, like soap, shampoo, feminine products, toilet paper, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and deodorant should also be included. Add diapers and wipes if you have small children.^{[10]
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Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
3
Add shelter and safety supplies. Pack emergency blankets, sleeping bags, and a tent or two in case you can’t stay in your home. A multipurpose tool (like a knife/file/pliers/screwdriver combo), and a whistle would also be handy to have in your kit.^{[11]
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Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
4
Pack electronics and batteries. Include several flashlights, an AM/FM radio, and extra batteries. You may also want to include a prepaid cell phone with a charger in case your landline or cell phone doesn’t work during a natural disaster.^{[12]
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Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
5
Include medicine and a first aid kit. Prescription and over-the-counter medicines should be included in your kit. Add a basic first aid kit containing instant ice packs, bandages, antiseptic ointment, scissors, tape, a suture kit, and so on. Pack extra glasses or contact lenses and solution, and any other medical supplies that may be needed, like a cane or hearing aids with extra batteries.^{[13]
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Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- You may want to include a field medicine handbook as well as a veterinary medicine handbook if you have pets.^{[14]
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  Research source}
6
Add cash, maps, and spare keys. It’s a good idea to store some cash in your emergency kit. Add a mix of small and large bills in case the banks or ATMs are closed. You should also include maps of the area as well as a spare house and car key.^{[15]
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Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
7
Store the kit in a cool, dry place. To make sure your food and water last as long as possible, don’t store your kit near direct sunlight, excess moisture, or fluctuating temperatures. The ideal temperature range is from 40° to 70° F (4° to 21° C). While bathrooms and kitchens aren’t great options, basements and closets will do just fine.^{[16]
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Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- You may choose to prepare a second kit and store it in your car, if desired.
8
Put important papers in a fireproof and waterproof lockbox. Important papers could be lost in a natural disaster, so fill the box with copies of each family member’s ID as well as birth certificates, passports, deeds, and titles. You could also include insurance paperwork, immunization records, and a copy of your family emergency plan. Add a list of phone numbers and addresses for family members and other important contacts, too.^{[17]
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Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}
- Keep both the box and key in your emergency kit.
- Alternatively, you can scan important documents and store them on memory stick inside of a waterproof container in your kit.
9
Rotate the items regularly. To ensure the clothes and shoes fit and the food and medicine aren’t expired, you should rotate out the items every year or two. Purchase new supplies for your packs and use the existing supplies for your day to day needs.^{[18]
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Trustworthy Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Monitoring Potential Disasters

1
Recognize potentially threatening situations. Watch news and weather reports in your region so that you can be aware of potential disasters in the area. You can also download apps for your smartphone, like Natural Disaster Monitor or Weather Underground, that will alert you of potential disasters near your location.^{[19]
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2
Prepare family members for what may happen. If your family is at risk for exposure to a natural disaster, explain to them what is happening. Review your emergency preparedness plan so that everyone knows what to do in the event of a disaster. Make sure you are prepared to either shelter in place or evacuate, if necessary.
3
Track the progress of imminent disasters. Check back with your news station frequently so that you will be aware of changes in weather or conditions that could alter the course of a disaster. Sign up to receive alerts or updates from your local government or weather service so that you will be well informed of what’s happening.
4
Evacuate before disaster strikes, if possible. If danger is imminent in your area, evacuate before it strikes. Your local government or authority may order evacuations if a natural disaster is looming, so be sure to follow their instructions. If you aren’t able to evacuate, shelter in place until it is safe to leave the area.^{[20]
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Warnings

Candles, lanterns, and flame lamps are for outdoor use only. They should not be used indoors, especially if you have a gas stove or a gas heater.

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If you are plugging your generator into your power supply, make sure you turn off the main breaker and keep the generator outside.

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