What Are You Preparing For?
Disasters don't follow generic scripts. Choose the scenario most likely to impact your region and household for a focused checklist, recommended gear, and official protocols.
Power Outage
12–72 hour electrical loss
Short-term grid interruptions caused by storms, accidents, or equipment failure. Most last under a day. Preparation prevents them from becoming dangerous or costly.
- • Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. A full freezer holds its temperature for up to 48 hours.
- • Unplug sensitive electronics to protect them from surge damage when power returns.
Winter Storm
Blizzards, ice, deep freezes
Heavy snow, ice accumulation, and arctic cold threaten power, mobility, and heat. Pipes burst, roads close, and frostbite risk rises within minutes of outdoor exposure.
- • Stock fireplace or supplemental heat safely. Never use a generator, grill, or gas stove indoors.
- • Let faucets drip slightly to prevent frozen pipes. Open cabinet doors under sinks.
Hurricane
Atlantic storm systems
Tropical cyclones bringing catastrophic wind, storm surge, and rainfall. Advance warning is long enough to prepare, but storm paths shift quickly and intensify rapidly.
- • Follow evacuation orders immediately. Know your zone and route before the season begins.
- • Board windows or install approved storm shutters. Bring in outdoor furniture and projectiles.
Wildfire
Rapid-spread urban interface fires
Wildfires move faster than you think. Embers travel miles ahead of flame fronts, and air quality can become hazardous even when fire is distant. Prepare early, evacuate early.
- • Sign up for local emergency alerts and download the Watch Duty app for real-time intel.
- • Create defensible space: clear combustibles within 30 feet of structures.
Flooding
River, flash, and coastal floods
Floods kill more Americans than any other weather hazard. Never drive through floodwaters — twelve inches can carry away a car. Turn around, don't drown.
- • Move to higher ground immediately. Never wait for instructions if water is rising.
- • Never drive through flooded roads. Two feet of water floats most vehicles.
Earthquake
Sudden tectonic events
Earthquakes strike without warning. Drop, cover, and hold on. Most injuries occur from falling objects and debris, not collapsing buildings.
- • Drop, cover, and hold on under a sturdy desk. Stay away from windows.
- • Stay indoors until shaking stops. Most injuries happen during evacuation.
Tornado
Violent rotating columns
Tornadoes produce the most violent winds on earth. Underground or interior shelter is essential. You may have minutes, not hours, to react.
- • Move to a basement or interior room on the lowest floor. Avoid windows.
- • Cover yourself with a helmet, blankets, or mattress for protection from debris.
Extreme Heat
Extended high temperatures
Heat is the deadliest weather hazard in America. Identify cooling centers, stay hydrated, and check on vulnerable neighbors. Never leave children or pets in cars.
- • Stay indoors during the hottest hours. Use air conditioning or visit a public cooling center.
- • Drink water consistently, even when not thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine.
Disease Outbreak
Communicable disease events
Infectious disease events interrupt supply chains, schools, and workplaces. Stock hygiene supplies and medications ahead of demand spikes.
- • Maintain a 30-day supply of prescription medications and essentials.
- • Keep hand sanitizer, soap, and cleaning supplies stocked.
Emergency Evacuation
Rapid departure from home
When officials order evacuation, minutes matter. A packed go-bag, planned route, and family communication protocol save lives and reduce trauma.
- • Keep a packed go-bag near your most-used exit, refreshed seasonally.
- • Identify two routes out of your area and a meeting point outside the hazard zone.
Civil Unrest
Localized instability
Civil disturbances are unpredictable and can escalate quickly. Stay informed, shelter in place, and avoid drawing attention. Do not engage.
- • Stay informed via trusted local news and emergency alerts. Avoid rumor spread.
- • Shelter in place. Lock doors and windows. Avoid curiosity-driven travel.
Digital Blackout
Internet & communications loss
Internet outages, cellular disruptions, or payment network failures can isolate communities. Keep analog backups for navigation, payment, and communication.
- • Keep cash in small denominations. ATMs and card readers fail when networks do.
- • Maintain paper maps and a written list of emergency contacts.