Family Disaster Planning

A Quick Starter Guide for Every Household

Emergencies have warning signs but can catch anyone off guard. A snowstorm knocks out power, a wildfire prompts evacuation orders, or a flash flood cuts off roads. Suddenly you’re in “what now?” mode. Having a family disaster plan is a smart and essential way to keep your loved ones safe and calm when the unexpected happens.

Here’s your simple, practical guide to getting started today.

1. Know the Risks and Talk About Them

Every community has its own ‘most-likely’ emergencies. Winter storms and heat waves around the country, tornadoes in the midwest, earthquakes on the West coast, and hurricanes that rip through the South and the Eastern regions., Start by identifying what could affect your area so your plan fits your reality. Anticipating and planning helps everyone stay calm and act quickly when events unfold.

Family conversation starters:

• What disasters are most common here?

  • Check your local emergency management agency for your city or county.

• Where would we go if we had to leave fast?

  • Options might include having an emergency fund for a hotel or staying with relatives.

• Who outside our area can we call if phone lines are busy? (Ready.gov)

2. Build Your Family Emergency Plan

Every day each family member has different responsibilities. Disaster can strike when everyone is together or while attending to various responsibilities like school, work, sports, and hobbies. Making a plan ensures you’ll stay connected, safe, and organized if disaster strikes when you’re apart. (Ready.gov)

Start with these key pieces:

✔️ Communication
Decide how you’ll reach one another (phone, text, messaging apps). Choose an out-of-town contact each person can call if local service is overloaded.

✔️ Meet-up locations
Pick places you’ll go if you can’t stay home — one nearby and one outside your neighborhood.

✔️ Evacuation routes
Know more than one way out of your home and town in case roads are blocked. (Ready.gov)

✔️ Practice drills
Run through your plan regularly like a fire drill so everyone remembers what to do. (GovDelivery)

3. Build an Emergency Supply Kit

When services like electricity, water, and cell services are disrupted, you’ll want a dependable stash of essentials. Plan for at least 72 hours (or, ideally up to a week or more) of self-sufficiency.

Essentials to pack:

• Water (1 gallon per person per day) and non-perishable food like canned goods

• Flashlights, batteries, and a battery-powered or hand-crank radio

• First aid kit and personal/prescribed medications (heart medication)

• Phone chargers (portable batteries/solar options)

• Copies of important documents (IDs, insurance info)

• Cash (ATMs may not work during power outages)

• Items for pets, infants, and elders (extra formula, pet food, medications)

Keep your kit in a known spot and refresh it regularly.

4. Special Considerations for Common Emergencies

Power Outages:
These can happen during storms, heat waves, or equipment failures and may last hours to days. Prep with backup lights, phone chargers, and safe heating methods; never run generators inside. (AP News)

Wildfires:
Know evacuation zones, have masks for smoke, and keep an eye on air quality alerts. Plan routes early — fire conditions can change quickly. (HeadStart.gov)

Winter Storms:
Stock up on food and water before storms hit. Close curtains to conserve heat, insulate pipes, and use layered clothing to stay warm. (The Sun)

Every Emergency:
Children, pets, and family members with medical needs need extra attention including comfort items to medical supplies. (Government of India)

5. Stay Informed and Connected

Sign up for wireless emergency alerts (texts from weather services), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) Weather Radio, and local notification systems. Know local warning signals and what to do when you hear them. (National Weather Service)

Being informed early gives everyone a precious head start.

Plan Now to Feel Confident Later

Disaster planning is it’s about confidence and planning, not fear. A clear plan, a well-stocked kit, practiced communication, and good plan for all family members can turn chaos into direction during the stress of a disaster. Start small, and build over time. Your future self will thank you.

For additional templates and step-by-step plans, visit Ready.gov’s Make a Plan resources. (Ready.gov)

Stay safe out there ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤