How to Prepare for Natural Disasters in Your State

Natural disasters such as wildfires, hurricanes, and floods are becoming more frequent and severe with climate change. It's no longer a question of if they'll affect us, but when they will strike. So it’s important to know which disasters are most likely to hit your area.

‍

If you're in the U.S., check out FEMA's National Risk Index — it's a super helpful tool. Its natural disasters map shows you the risk level (ranging from very high to very low risk) for over 15 natural hazards in every U.S. county.

‍

At a high level, you can see which state has the most natural disasters. You can also type in your county and how its risk level compares to the national average.

‍

For instance, Portland, Oregon faces high risks of earthquakes and landslides, and moderate risks of heat waves and river flooding, while having low risks of tornadoes and lightning strikes.

‍

The Next Step is Taking Action

‍

After you know your risks, take two quick actions: Set up emergency alerts and plan your evacuation route with your family. You can download the FEMA App. It helps you create emergency plans and sends you real-time alerts about weather and emergencies.

‍

Also, make sure that you have a go bag ready. It’s a grab-and-go bag that you can pick up at the time of emergency and leave immediately.

‍

Check out The Ultimate Go Bag List for Natural Disasters

‍

To prepare for potential insurance claims after a disaster, take photos and videos of your valuable belongings, especially the ones that are inside drawers and closets. Document everything in your home digitally for easy reference.

‍

{{cta-join2}}

‍

Preparing For The Most Common Disasters

‍

Here are some of the most common disasters and how you can prepare yourself if they are likely to occur in your area. Check out the link at the end of each paragraph. It helps you prepare, survive, and be safe after a disaster.

‍

Hurricanes

‍

The hurricane season in the U.S.  lasts from mid-May to the end of November. Hurricanes bring storm surges, wind damage, rip currents, and flooding which can cause major damage. 

‍

If you’re not ordered to evacuate, you may lose power and safe water may be hard to come by, if your water works at all. Have the supplies and equipment you need to live for 3-5 days without power or water.

‍

If you evacuate, bring with you your go bag and clothes for a week, if possible.

‍

If you need to evacuate your home after the storm, find a designated storm shelter and prepare your family to get there. If you are stuck in flood waters, do not try to walk, swim, or drive through them. Instead, turn around and try and go to the highest level you can find.

‍

How to prepare for Hurricanes →

‍

Tornadoes

‍

They’re usually accompanied by thunderstorms and warm weather, but tornadoes can happen anytime and bring in intense winds with them in the form of tunnels. These winds can reach over 200 miles per hour. 

‍

If your county has a higher risk of tornadoes (for those in the Midwest and the Southeast), you should have a shelter-in-place plan for each place you frequent: your home, your work, your car, etc. Make sure your plan accounts for your family and pets, and practice before an emergency arises. If you’re inside, identify a safe room, basement, storm cellar, or a small interior room on the lowest level of a sturdy building. Plan to bring with you a flashlight and battery-powered radio if you can.

‍

If your home isn’t equipped to withstand strong winds, you may consider a safe shelter such as a safe room built using FEMA criteria or a storm shelter built to ICC 500 standards.

‍

How to prepare for Tornadoes →

‍

Wildfires

‍

Wildfires don’t just burn the forests and grasslands, they can spread quickly and engulf entire communities with them. If you are in a wildfire-prone zone, make sure that you are signed up for real-time updates. Keep an eye out for community alerts, Emergency Alert System (EAS), and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA). You can also monitor air quality alerts to keep yourself updated. It’s important for everyone in your family to know the evacuation route from the house, workplace, school, or daycare. If possible, keep a go bag at all of these places.

‍

How to prepare for Wildfires →

‍

Earthquakes

‍

While earthquakes can happen anywhere, they are more likely to happen in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington, and the entire Mississippi River Valley. The additional challenge with earthquakes is that they can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides, or avalanches so you need to prepare for multiple disasters together. As a thumb rule, stay outdoors if you can and if you are trapped inside your house, turn face down and cover your head and neck with a pillow.

‍

After an earthquake, stay alert for hazards like damaged buildings, leaking utilities, and downed power lines. If you are in a damaged building, evacuate immediately. Also be prepared for aftershocks. If you are trapped, signal for help by texting or banging on surfaces while protecting your airways.

‍

How to prepare for Earthquakes →

‍

Tsunami

‍

A tsunami can be caused by earthquakes, underwater landslides, volcanic eruptions, or asteroids resulting in enormous ocean waves. These waves are 10-100 feet high and can travel at 20-30 miles per hour. These can happen anywhere along the U.S. coasts with the ones bordering the Pacific Ocean or Caribbean having the greatest risk. Apart from signing up for the alerts, evacuate and get to higher ground if you see any natural signs of a tsunami such as a sudden rise or draining of ocean waters

‍

How to prepare for Tsunamis →

‍

Check out this resource for other disasters and emergencies.

‍