The sky is turning greenish and the air feels supercharged, making your hair stand on end. The birds have stopped singing — an unnatural, eerie silence follows a long night of screaming wind, foreshadowing the approach of a tornado unlike anything you’ve ever witnessed. Are you ready for it?
30 Ways to Prepare for a Natural Disaster
From long-term preparations to last-minute tasks, here’s how to survive an extreme weather event.
1. Stock up on Nonperishable Goods
If the power goes out, you may not have a fridge or freezer to store your food. Canned and dehydrated food can meet your dietary needs until you get the power up and running again. Stock your pantry with a wide variety of options to keep things interesting and ensure you get a balanced mix of protein, carbohydrates, fat, fiber and vitamins. Some ideas include:
- Canned tuna, chicken or chili
- Canned vegetables and soup
- Honey
- Peanut butter
- Beef jerky
- Individual condiment packets
- Pudding
- Powdered eggs and dairy like milk, butter and cheese
- Oatmeal
Visit an outdoor retailer to stock up on freeze-dried meals — like instant breakfasts and dessert mixes — that only require boiling water to prepare.
A lot of foods, like oatmeal, come in packaging that may fall apart if it gets wet. To avoid spoilage, you can transfer foods into glass or metal containers, especially if you’re anticipating a flood or hurricane.
2. Get Cleaning Supplies
Even during a natural disaster, life goes on — pets have accidents, kids spill their food and bathrooms get dirty. Stock up on several types of cleaning supplies well in advance of an emergency. If you go to the store right before a storm hits, there will be a mad scramble to get supplies, and odds are you won’t find what you need.
3. Tag Your Animals
It’s sad to think about, but pets and livestock often get lost after natural disasters. Fences may break and animals panic during storms.
Microchip your dogs and cats, and ensure the information on their chips and collars is up to date. Ensure all your cattle have unique ear tags. Sheep and goats may wear ear tags or collars. For Adal sheep or LaMancha goats — which may have tiny or absent ears — always use a collar. If you have poultry, band them to make them easier to identify if they escape.
Rabbit and pig owners often use small ear tattoos to identify their animals. Pigs may also wear ear tags. Due to these animals’ thick necks, it’s difficult and even dangerous for them to wear a collar.
4. Buy Extra Animal Supplies
Stock up on feed, medicine, bedding, toys, grooming supplies and anything else your animals need on a regular basis. While you’re at it, write down your vet’s number as well as the contact info for local emergency vets.
5. Get Candles, Batteries and Lighters
You’ll want to have plenty of light sources to use as a backup in case of a power outage. Buy batteries and flashlights for every member of the household. You can even employ old-fashioned oil lamps to light up the house and create an enjoyable ambiance.
If you’re going to use candles, opt for some of them to be unscented. Otherwise, your house will smell like a perfume factory when you illuminate several rooms at once.
[Editor’s note: I’m not a big fan of using candles for light (or heat) during a disaster as they pose an unnecessary fire risk. Use battery-powered lighting instead.]
6. Install Sprinklers and Special Hoses
Do you live in an area prone to wildfires? A series of sprinklers around your house could prevent a fire from reaching your front door. Similarly, a high-pressure water hose allows you to put out small fires before they have a chance to spread.
If you have access to a pond, stream, well, pool or other large water source, you could also purchase a wildfire soaker hose and wrap it around your home’s perimeter. It has a porous surface that allows water to gush out from every part of the hose. In the event of an approaching wildfire, turn it on to form a water barrier around the house and call the fire department.
7. Clear Fuels From Around Buildings
Fuels are anything prone to catching fire. Long grass, dead leaves, tree branches and other debris can create a dangerously high fuel load around your home and outbuildings.
Remove all tree branches within 5 feet of your home and install noncombustible ground cover. Within 30 feet, remove excess vegetation and ensure that tree canopies are at least 10 feet from your house. In the extended zone up to 100 feet from your home, make sure tree canopies are at least 6 feet apart. Plant low-risk ground covers to reduce the chances of a fire spreading.
8. Stock the Medicine Cabinet
You may get sick or injured during a natural disaster. Purchase a variety of over-the-counter medications, including treatments for:
- Allergies
- Rashes
- Stomach ailments
- Pain
- Insomnia
- Coughing
- Throat soreness
You should also buy bandages, gauze, cotton balls, alcohol wipes and other first-aid supplies. Additionally, refill or renew any prescription medications you might need. Take care of current health issues and update your glasses prescription before a natural disaster strikes.
9. Take a First-Aid Class
As crucial as it is to buy plenty of medicine, you should also know how to provide medical attention. Do you know how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the Heimlich maneuver? More importantly, do you know when to perform them? Only 18% of Americans are CPR certified, and fewer than 50% of people who go into cardiac arrest receive CPR from someone nearby.
First-aid classes can teach you these skills as well as how to dress a wound, treat hypothermia or reverse a hypoglycemic episode. This information can save lives even outside of a natural disaster.
10. Build a Storm Shelter
If there isn’t an imminent storm on the horizon, now is the time to build a shelter. Research the types of natural disasters most likely to affect your region of the country.
Then, decide if you need an above-ground or underground shelter. Underground safe rooms are the more expensive option, but they’re also more secure. Stock the shelter with essential supplies like food and water.
11. Get Extra Blankets
Blankets can keep your bed warm during a blizzard or winter power outage. They’re also great for blocking rain, wind and snow from getting in through the cracks under your exterior doors. Cover your windows with blankets to insulate your home and protect yourself from broken glass or debris during a storm.
12. Buy a Generator
During Hurricane Sandy in 2012, over 8 million U.S. homes lost power across 17 states. However, even small storms can cause blackouts. You won’t be able to use your HVAC system, kitchen appliances, electronics, lights or medical supplies like CPAP machines during a power outage. Buy a generator to keep at least part of your home powered during a storm.
[Editor’s note: a simple inverter, connected to your vehicle’s battery, would suffice to keep most smaller appliances running, like a refrigerator. I used to recommend an 800-watt inverter, but these days it would be better to go for a 1500-watt inverter at minimum; they make even larger options if interested.]
13. Install Solar or Wind Power
Another way to keep the power on during a disaster is to install your own energy source. With solar panels or wind turbines, you can disconnect from the grid and even save up electricity if you buy a storage battery. Wind turbines and solar panels aren’t immune to storm damage, but at least they aren’t connected to the main electric grid, which may shut down to prevent power surges.
14. Create an Emergency Escape Plan
You might want to shelter in place during a natural disaster. However, in the event of a severe wildfire, hurricane or other extreme weather event, everyone should be on the same page regarding the evacuation plan. Have a family meeting to discuss what to do during an emergency and how you’ll get out if necessary.
15. Buy a Water Filter and Chemical Tablets
Natural disasters often damage sewer systems and wells. Since you may not be able to boil water without electricity, it’s wise to buy portable water filters and chemical treatments to purify your drinking water. You can get them online or at outdoor recreation stores.
16. Build a Rain Catchment System
In the event of plumbing damage, you may not have water at your house at all. A rain catchment system that funnels water off the roof could make or break your survival in this situation. Get it set up long before you may need it.
17. Fill Up Your Gas Tanks
Fuel up your car, tractor and any other equipment that relies on gasoline before a natural disaster hits. Fill up gas canisters with extra fuel in case you can’t get to a gas station during the storm.
[Editors note: It’s wise to keep your vehicle’s gas tanks at least half full at all times for bug outs or even getting stranded in traffic. Who knows what might happen, but running out of fuel at an inopportune time is no good.]
18. Charge All Electronics
Does the weather forecast predict an impending disaster? If it’s not due for another few days, charge up your phones, tablets and earbuds while you still have a chance. You may not have power during the emergency.
19. Do Your Laundry
Similarly, your plumbing might be compromised during a severe weather event. Wash all the clothes and bedding in your home in preparation. Doing laundry also gives you a chance to take inventory — do you have enough blankets, hats, winter gloves and coats?
20. Inform People of Your Plans
If you’re anticipating a natural disaster, keep friends and family updated about the status of the incoming storm. Let them know if you plan to evacuate or shelter in place. If you think you may need to leave your home, tell people where you’re going. Give everyone your contact info and tell them how best to get in touch with you.
21. Learn How to Shut Off Water, Gas and Breakers
Storms can damage plumbing, gas and electric lines, creating a secondary emergency. Learn how to shut these systems off in case they break.
You might need a water key, a specialized plumbing tool, to turn off your water main. Shutting off the gas usually requires a wrench. To turn off the power to your house, find your breaker box — which could be indoors or outside — and flip the main switch.
22. Check Your Insurance Coverage
Certain insurance covers damage from storms, floods and other emergencies. If you live in an area prone to a particular type of natural disaster, consider getting insurance in preparation.
23. Take Pictures of Your Home
Some insurance policies require you to catalog what your house looked like before it was damaged. Snap photos of your home’s interior and exterior, then write a detailed inventory of all the valuable items you own.
[Editor’s note: This is a good idea to do at least once a year. It takes minimal effort if you video your belongings and narrate as necessary.]
24. Tie Down Heavy Furniture and Appliances
Are you expecting an earthquake or tornado? Tie or stack your furniture together, then move it close to the walls. Bring outdoor chairs and tables inside so they don’t blow away or damage your house. If you have large outdoor furniture that’s impractical to bring inside, weigh it down with sandbags or secure it with ropes.
25. Put Supplies in Your Car
You might get stranded in the car or need to leave your home quickly during an emergency. Stock your vehicle with food, water, blankets, a first-aid kit and emergency flares.
If you have a two-way communication GPS or satellite phone that works without cell service, put it in your car as well. It’s worth noting that many of these devices need a subscription or phone plan to work, so make sure you have that set up beforehand. Or, buy a personal locator beacon (PLB) to simply press a button that calls emergency services. PLBs don’t require a subscription.
26. Upload and Download Important Documents
Your computers could be damaged in a fire or flood. Download your important documents and photos to a hard drive or upload them to the cloud. Then, place any hard drives in plastic bags or other protective containers.
27. Unplug Your Electronics
The storm is getting closer. Pull the plug on your computers, lamps and other electronic devices to protect them against lightning strikes. Set your phone to airplane mode to preserve the battery.
28. Secure Your Animals
If you live in a rural area, make sure all your livestock fencing is in good shape. Fix any loose wire and use a fence post driver to install new posts.
Make any necessary repairs to outdoor barns and put heaters inside if you anticipate cold weather. Bring dogs, cats and any other pets into the house before the storm hits. You can even bring chickens and other small livestock inside for a few hours if need be. They might make a mess, but at least they’ll be safer.
29. Fill Your Bathtubs
You’ll still want to be able to flush the toilets and wash your hands if your plumbing is compromised. Fill the bathtubs with water and set a bucket nearby to refill your toilet tanks. Top off as many pots, bowls, jars and buckets with filtered water as you can before the storm hits.
30. Remain Calm
Keeping a level head will help you prepare for and survive a natural disaster. Watch the news and keep the radio on to stay informed, but take steps to calm yourself and your family down as well.
Weathering the Storm
Natural disasters may be inevitable, but you can give yourself the best chance of survival by taking steps to secure your food, water, power supply and animals beforehand. Research your local climate to find out which types of emergencies to expect. And, as always, hope for the best and prepare for the worst.
[Note: This was a guest post.]
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