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Are You Ready?

An In-Depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness 

P-2064 | September 2020

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Table of Contents

Prepare for Disasters............................................................................................................................................................................................. 1

Benefits of Planning Ahead............................................................................................................................................................................. 1

How to Prepare for Disasters ........................................................................................................................................................................ 2

Know Your Risks: Actions to Protect Yourself and Others..................................................................................................................... 3

Determine Your Risks....................................................................................................................................................................................... 3

Basic Protective Actions for all Disasters................................................................................................................................................. 4

Key Protective Actions for Specific Hazards ........................................................................................................................................... 5

Active Shooter................................................................................................................................................................................................. 5

Avalanche.......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Cyberattack ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Earthquake....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6

Extreme Heat................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6

Financial Preparedness............................................................................................................................................................................... 6

Flood ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7

Hurricane .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7

Landslide........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 8

Nuclear Explosion.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 8

Pandemics......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9

Power Outage.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 9

Thunderstorm, Lighting, and Hail........................................................................................................................................................... 9

Tornado ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................10

Tsunami...........................................................................................................................................................................................................10

Volcano.............................................................................................................................................................................................................10

Wildfire ............................................................................................................................................................................................................11

Winter Storm................................................................................................................................................................................................. 11

Make a Plan..............................................................................................................................................................................................................12

Create a Family Emergency Communication Plan..............................................................................................................................12

Know Local Plans and Resources...............................................................................................................................................................13

Make an Evacuation and Shelter Plan......................................................................................................................................................13

Gather Emergency Supplies .........................................................................................................................................................................14

Prepare Your Critical Documents ..............................................................................................................................................................15

Take Action: Protect Yourself, Your Property, and Manage Risk......................................................................................................16

Keep Informed: Alerts and Warnings.......................................................................................................................................................16

Know Your Insurance Options and Document Your Property.......................................................................................................17
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What’s Covered? Understand Your Policy..............................................................................................................................................17

Do You Need Flood Insurance? Understand Your Flood Risk........................................................................................................17

Document Your Property..............................................................................................................................................................................18

Protect Your Property ....................................................................................................................................................................................18

Practice Your Disaster Plans........................................................................................................................................................................19

Take Part in Your Community.....................................................................................................................................................................20

Recovering from a Disaster...............................................................................................................................................................................21

Health and Safety Guidelines.......................................................................................................................................................................21

Before You Enter Your Home ......................................................................................................................................................................22

Inside Your Home.............................................................................................................................................................................................22

Natural Gas.....................................................................................................................................................................................................22

Sparks, Broken, Or Frayed Wires..........................................................................................................................................................22

Roof, Foundation, And Chimney Cracks .............................................................................................................................................22

Appliances ......................................................................................................................................................................................................22

Water and Sewage Systems.....................................................................................................................................................................22

Food and Other Supplies...........................................................................................................................................................................22

Basements.......................................................................................................................................................................................................22

Cabinets ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................22

Pests or Vermin............................................................................................................................................................................................22

File an Insurance Claim..................................................................................................................................................................................23

Get in Contact with Your Insurance Company to Start the Claims Process.........................................................................23

Document the Damage and Protect Your Property.......................................................................................................................23

Work with Your Adjuster and Complete A Proof of Loss to Support Your Claim .............................................................23

Coping with Disaster.......................................................................................................................................................................................23

Disaster Assistance..........................................................................................................................................................................................24

Protect Yourself from Disaster-Related Fraud and Scams..............................................................................................................24

Give Support.......................................................................................................................................................................................................24

Are You Ready? An In-Depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness is available for free. Call the FEMA Publication 

Warehouse at 1-800-480-2520 and ask for publication P-2064. It is also available as a free download online 

at Ready.gov. 
1 Ready.gov

Prepare for Disasters

Not if, but when: Every U.S. state and territory is at risk of disasters.

Disasters disrupt thousands of lives every year, leaving behind lasting effects on people and property. After a 

disaster, many others in your community need help as well. For this reason, local first responders and other 

assistance may not be able to reach you right away. You and your family can take simple steps now to prepare for 

emergencies. By doing so, you take back control—even in the uncertainty of disaster.

This comprehensive guide will provide you with detailed information on how best to prepare for disasters within 

your family and in your community. In this document you will learn general disaster preparedness tips for before, 

during, and after disasters, as well as best practices to inform your preparedness decisions about specific 

disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and active shooters. 

Benefits of Planning Ahead

There are many benefits to planning ahead for disasters. The most important benefits are staying safe and helping 

yourself and your community recover.
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People and families that plan for emergencies will:

• Help keep people safe;

• Limit property damage;

• Know what to do during and after a disaster;

• Better manage their savings;

• Support community preparedness; and

• Help their community get back up and running after a disaster.

Taking simple actions to protect against disaster helps you, your family, your community, and your country in 

important ways.

How to Prepare for Disasters

To prepare yourself and your family for a disaster, you should: 1) Know Your Risks; 2) Make a Plan; and 3) Take 

Action. 

1. Know Your Risks

Understand the risks you and your family may face. Most communities face many types 

of hazards. It is important to learn the risks specific to your home and the ways to assess 

your risks if you are away from home. Know how and when to take action before, during, and 

after different hazards. 

2. Make a Plan

Make a communications plan and prepare for both evacuating and sheltering. Prepare 

for your family’s unique needs with customized plans and supplies. In addition, use your 

social networks to help friends and family members prepare and participate in communitywide disaster preparedness activities. Moreover, you should gather emergency supplies and 

secure the information and important documents you will need to start your recovery

3. Take Action

Put your plan into action. Be ready and able to face disasters, no matter where you are and 

when they occur. It is important to get the insurance you need and understand your 

coverage options. Moreover, you should make a list of your personal property and its 

condition and protect your property by considering how to minimize damage. Practice your 

disaster plans, take advantage of existing alert and warning systems, and explore ways to 

serve your community.
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Know Your Risks: Actions to 

Protect Yourself and Others

Individuals and families face many different types of hazards. It is important to learn the risks you face and ways 

to stay up-to-date with current conditions. Taking action now may give you and your family the power to protect 

yourselves and your property. This section will discuss the many simple actions that you can take to prepare for all 

types of disasters, as well as those for specific hazards.

Determine Your Risks

There are many different types of disasters and hazards. Your risk of becoming affected by each type depends on 

the possibility of an event and your vulnerability to it.
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A key first step in disaster preparedness is understanding the types of hazards prevalent in your community. To do 

this, visit your state and local government’s emergency management websites to look for more information about 

the common types of disasters and whether 

disaster plans exist for your area. If available, 

you should also sign up for your community’s 

alert and warning systems which can notify 

community members of impending disasters 

or of actions to take following a disaster. 

Lastly, talk to your friends and neighbors to 

understand the types of emergencies they are

preparing for and what actions they take to 

prepare.

Basic Protective Actions for all Disasters

There are proven measures or “protective actions” that you can take to protect your family and property before, 

during, and after a disaster. The better we as a Nation understand these measures, the more lives we can protect 

and save.

These important actions will help keep you prepared for all disasters:

• Have the skills to assess the situation quickly and to take effective action to protect yourself.

• Get involved with preparedness training and volunteer programs.

• Put together an emergency fund of cash and supplies.

• Decrease the potential impacts of hazards.

• Prepare a family disaster plan and practice the plan.

Remember to be inclusive in your disaster planning and consider the needs of children, the elderly, and those with 

disabilities or access and functional needs. Also, be sure to consider the transportation needs for you and your 

family, recognizing that a disaster may impact normal route and transportation methods. Finally, you should also 

make sure to plan for your pets and service animals, which are frequently overlooked in disaster planning.

Many disasters happen with little or no warning. You need to be ready with the appropriate skills and knowledge 

to act immediately—often before you have instructions from authorities. After an event, it is important to first 

assess the situation before deciding to stay or change your location. 

1. Assess the Situation

When something happens without warning, it is 

important to take a few seconds to figure out your 

most effective next steps. This includes identifying 

the type of event that occurred and whether there 

is immediate danger, such as damaged buildings or 

downed power lines. The goal is to be safe and stay 

out of harm’s way.

2. Decide to Stay or Change Location

The next step is to decide whether it is safe to stay 

in your current location. In some situations, you 

should stay where you are, while in others the 

safest option is to change locations. For example, if 

you are inside when a tornado occurs, you must 

stay indoors. In contrast, in an active shooter 

situation, you can try to run to another location. 
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Key Protective Actions for Specific Hazards

The protective actions that you should take differ depending on the hazard. Below are some key actions to take to 

protect yourself and your family from specific hazards.

 Active Shooter 

• If you see something or someone who is acting

suspicious, report it to local law enforcement.

• Run, Hide, or Fight. You may need to use more

than one option.

− Run. Getting away from the shooter(s) is the

top priority. If safe to do so, warn others nearby

and call 9-1-1. Describe each shooter, their

locations, and weapons.

− Hide. If you cannot get away safely, find a place

to hide. Get out of the shooter’s view and stay

quiet. Silence your electronic devices, lock and

block doors, close blinds, and turn off the lights.

Do not hide in groups—spread out along walls

or hide separately. Try to communicate with

police silently— such as through text messages

or by putting a sign in an exterior window.

− Fight. As a last resort, defend yourself. Commit

to your actions and act aggressively to stop the

shooter.

• Take a training course to learn first aid skills,

including how to stop bleeding and perform CPR

(cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Learn how to

help others at Ready.gov.

• Make an emergency plan for places you visit often

and practice that plan.

• Identify two nearby exits each time you visit a

building.

• Map out places to hide. Good hiding places

include: rooms without windows, behind solid

doors with locks, under desks, or behind heavy

furniture.

• Keep hands visible and empty.

• Know that law enforcement’s first task is to end

the incident. They may have to pass injured

persons along the way.

• Follow law enforcement’s instructions and

evacuate in the direction they describe.

Avalanche

• Always travel in pairs. Use a guide familiar with

the area.

• Take a training course to learn how to identify

hazardous conditions, places to avoid, and the

right way to use safety and rescue equipment.

• Sign up for alerts on current avalanche danger,

snowpack, and mountain weather conditions.

• Watch for signs of increased danger, including

recent avalanches and shooting cracks along

slopes.

• Avoid areas of increased risk like slopes steeper

than 30 degrees or areas downhill of steep slopes.

• Wear a helmet to help reduce head injuries and an

avalanche beacon to help others locate you.

• Carry a collapsible avalanche probe and a small

shovel to help rescue others.

• If an avalanche buries your partner or others, call

9-1-1 and then begin to search.

• Treat others for suffocation, hypothermia,

traumatic injury, or shock.

Cyberattack

• Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.

• Use strong passwords and two-factor

authentication.

• Watch for suspicious activity. This could be any

message that asks you to complete a task

immediately, offers something that seems too

good to be true, or asks for personal information.

• Use encrypted (secure) internet communications.

• Have antivirus and firewall solutions to block

malware and other threats.

• Regularly back up your files in an encrypted file or

encrypted file storage device.

• Limit the personal information you share online.

Change privacy settings and deactivate location

features.

• Protect your home network by changing the

administrative and Wi-Fi passwords regularly.
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 Earthquake

• Drop, Cover, and Hold On

− Drop to your hands and knees to minimize

injuries from falls, and minimize movement to

avoid debris— walking or running makes you

vulnerable to moving, flying, or falling objects.

− Cover your head and neck with your arms and

other objects. If sturdy furniture is nearby and

you are able to crawl there without going

through debris, cover under sturdy furniture to

protect your body, and cover your head and

neck with your arms and other objects.

− Hold on to stay covered during shaking.

• Secure household and workplace items and

appliances (bookshelves, light fixtures, mirrors,

televisions, computers, refrigerators) to protect

against falling debris.

• Strengthen home and workplace structures based

on a professional review to prevent possible

damage from falling debris and buildings.

• Do not run outside. If indoors, stay there until the

shaking stops. If in bed, stay there and cover your

head and neck with a pillow.

• If in a vehicle, stop in a clear area that is away

from buildings, trees, overpasses, underpasses, or

utility wires. If near slopes, cliffs, or mountains, be

alert for falling rocks and landslides.

• If you are in a high-rise building, expect fire

alarms and sprinklers to go off. Do not use

elevators.

• After the shaking stops, if you are in a damaged

building and there is a safe way out through the

debris, leave and go to an open space outside. Do

not go back inside until an authority figure tells

you it is safe.

• Expect aftershocks to follow the largest shock of

an earthquake sequence.

• If you are trapped, send a text or bang on a pipe or

wall. Cover your mouth for protection and instead

of shouting, use a whistle.

• If you are in an area prone to tsunamis, go inland 

or to higher ground immediately after the shaking 

stops.

Extreme Heat

• Stay indoors in a place with working air

conditioning.

• Know methods for reducing heat impact. Use

shades to block sun, wear light-colored and loosefitting clothing, and stay hydrated to reduce heat

impact.

• If outdoors, seek shaded areas. Wear a widebrimmed hat to protect your face from the sun.

Avoid overexertion and physically demanding

activity, especially during the warmest times of

the day.

• Never leave a child, adult, or animal alone inside a

vehicle on a warm day.

• Check on your family and neighbors.

• Know and watch the signs of heat-related illnesses. 

Watch for cramps, exhaustion, and heat stroke. 

Learn quick treatment options and when to get 

medical help.

• Extremely high body temperature, skin that is hot

and red, dizziness and confusion, and a rapid and

strong pulse are all heat stroke symptoms and may 

be a medical emergency. Call 9-1-1 or get the

victim to a hospital immediately. Do not give the

person anything to drink. Cool the person by

removing their clothing and moving to a cooler

environment. Try a cool bath, sponging, ice packs,

or wrap in cold, wet sheets. Use fans and air

conditioners, if available. Watch for breathing

problems until emergency medical personnel

arrive.

 Financial Preparedness

• Safeguard important documents. Gather financial,

household, and medical documents using the

Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK) as a

guide to assist in securing critical information.

Download a copy of the EFFAK from FEMA.gov.

• Save money for a rainy day. Saving money and

maintaining an emergency fund are smart

practices that put you in a position to help

yourself, your loved ones, and your community

after a disaster. Set aside a certain amount of
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money each month or each pay period to add to 

your emergency reserve. You can use this reserve 

to help pay for rental, home, and/or flood 

insurance, and to purchase life-saving items like 

food, shelter, and water in an emergency.

• Establish a cash-in-hand reserve. During disasters,

you may experience extended power outages, the

closing of banking institutions and limited or no

access to credit cards and ATMs. To be prepared,

you should keep cash on-hand in an easilyaccessible but secure location. Keep a mixture of

bills including ones, fives, and tens, with the

highest bill being a twenty, to eliminate the

challenge of finding change during an emergency.

• Know your insurance coverage. Having insurance

for your home, apartment, or business will help

you repair, rebuild, or replace damage that occurs

during a disaster. Review your insurance policies

periodically and make sure they cover your needs.

Your coverage may need to include additional

policies for floods, earthquakes, water damage,

tornadoes, or high winds in hurricane-prone

areas. Learn more at FloodSmart.gov.

• For additional resources and information, read the

accompanying Hazard Information Sheets or visit

Ready.gov/be-informed. To find supplementary

information on financial preparedness, visit

Ready.gov/financial-preparedness

 Flood

• When you come across flooded roadways: Turn

Around, Don’t Drown®. Six inches of moving

water may be enough to knock you off your feet.

As little as 12 inches of moving water may lift a

small vehicle. Flood water depth is hard to

determine and may contain hidden, dangerous

debris.

• Find out the type of flood risk(s) likely for your

area. Depending on the specific location and type

of flooding, plan for your evacuation, shelter, or

move to a higher location nearby.

• Take action to make sure your home or business

buildings are prepared for floods. Elevate the

structure of new construction according to local

floodplain management guidelines, so floods are

less likely to damage it. Elevate critical utilities

and waterproof basements. Move furniture,

valuables, and important documents to a safe, 

elevated place.

• Purchase flood insurance. Standard insurance

policies do not cover flooding.

• If told to evacuate, do so immediately. Never drive

around barricades. Local responders use them to

safely direct traffic out of flooded areas.

• Seek high ground right away if you expect

flooding.

• If trapped in a building, go to the highest level of

the building. Avoid basements and lower floors,

but do not climb into a closed attic, as you may

become trapped there if floodwater rises. Go onto

the roof only if necessary. Signal for help.

• After a flood, avoid wading in floodwater, which

can contain dangerous debris and be

contaminated.

• Underground or downed power lines can also

electrically charge the water.

• Do not go into flooded buildings until an authority

figure tells you it is safe to do so.

• Use protective clothing like safety goggles, work

gloves, hard hats, and waterproof boots when

cleaning up after a flood. Be aware that snakes and

other animals may be in your house.

• Use a generator or other gasoline-powered

machinery only outdoors and away from windows.

• Be aware of the risk of electrocution. Do not touch

electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are

standing in water. If it is safe to do so, turn off the

electricity to prevent electric shock.

Hurricane 

Before hurricane season begins, make plans for both 

evacuation and sheltering in place.

• Become familiar with your evacuation zone, the

evacuation route, and shelter locations.

• Practice going to a safe shelter for high winds,

such as a safe room or ICC 500 storm shelter. The

next best protection is a small, interior,

windowless room in a sturdy building on the

lowest level that is not subject to flooding.

• Gather needed supplies for at least three days.

Keep in mind each person’s specific needs,

including medication. Don’t forget the needs of

pets.
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• Keep important documents in a safe place or

create password-protected digital copies.

• Prepare your home for both high winds and

possible flooding. Declutter drains and gutters.

Install check valves in plumbing to prevent

backups. Consider hurricane shutters. Trim or

remove damaged tree limbs on your property.

Review insurance policies.

• Prepare your home for both high winds and

possible flooding. Inspect your roof, windows, and

doors to ensure they work properly. Trim or

remove damaged tree limbs on your property.

• If told to evacuate, do so immediately. Do not drive

around barricades.

• If trapped in a building by flooding, go to the

highest level of the building. Do not climb into a

closed attic. You may become trapped by rising

flood water.

• Purchase flood insurance. Standard insurance

policies do not cover flooding.

Landslide

• Get regular professional reviews of new and

existing construction in landslide risk areas.

• Avoid building in areas at risk for a landslide, such

as steep slopes or property close to cliffs, or near

drainage ways or streams.

• Plant ground cover and build walls to direct the

mudflow around buildings.

• Sign up to get emergency notifications for

information on current conditions, or download

emergency mobile phone applications like the

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

app.

• Recognize landslide warning signs, including new

cracks in the ground or building foundations,

soaked ground, soil moving away from

foundations, changes in stream water levels, tilting

objects indoors (such as doors) or outdoors (such

as fences and poles), and unusual cracking or

rumbling sounds.

• Evacuate an area immediately after authorities tell

you to. Signs of a landslide may not be visible, but

the danger still exists.

• Move away from the path of a landslide or debris

flow. You may not be able to escape from the

mudslide or debris flow once it starts, so stay

away from the outer edges.

• During landslide conditions, avoid rock ledges,

bases of steep slopes, ravines, drainages, or

narrow canyons.

• After a landslide, stay away from the sliding area

because more earth, rock, or debris may come

loose.

• Watch for flooding after a landslide, mud flow, or

debris flow. Floods sometimes follow because they

may be started by the same event.

Nuclear Explosion

• Get inside the nearest building to avoid radiation.

The best locations are underground and in the

middle of larger buildings made of brick or

concrete.

• Stay away from the outer walls and roof. This will

help provide protection from the blast, heat, and

radiation of the detonation.

• Stay inside for 24 hours unless local authorities

provide other instructions.

• Remove contaminated clothing and wipe off or

wash unprotected skin if you were outside after

the fallout arrived.

• Protect yourself then clean any pets that were

outside after the fallout arrived. Gently brush your

pet’s coat to remove any fallout particles and wash

your pet with soap and water.

• Stay tuned to any media available for official

information such as when it is safe to exit and

where you should go.

• Your family should stay where they are inside.

Reunite later to avoid exposure to dangerous

radiation. Keep your pets inside.

• Before an event, identify the best shelter locations

near the places where you spend the most time,

such as your home, work, or school.

• Maintain a 24-hour emergency supply kit in your

home and office.

• Keep a battery-powered or hand crank radio on

hand. These will continue to function after a

nuclear event, while mobile phone, text messaging,

television, and internet services may not.

• Do not consume food or liquids that were left

uncovered outdoors and may be contaminated by

fallout.
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 Pandemics

• Know how the virus spreads. When a disease is

novel, meaning it hasn't been seen in humans

before, there is usually not a vaccine to prevent

its spread. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID19), for example, spreads from person to person.

The best way to prevent getting sick is to avoid

being exposed to the virus.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for

at least 20 seconds, especially after you have

been in a public place and after blowing your

nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are

not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at

least 60 percent alcohol.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick by

keeping a distance of six feet between you and

other people. If possible, stay home and practice

social distancing.

• Wear a cloth face covering that covers your

mouth and nose when going out in public.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces

daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light

switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones,

keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.

Power Outage

• Take an inventory now of the items you need that

rely on electricity. Make backup plans, including

relocation plans, if you have medical equipment or

assistive technology devices that are dependent on

power for life-sustaining purposes.

• Plan for batteries and other alternatives to meet

your needs when the power goes out.

• Install battery-powered smoke detectors and

carbon monoxide detectors in central locations on

every floor of your home and outside of bedrooms.

Electric detectors with battery backup are also

acceptable.

• Keep mobile phones and any battery-powered

devices charged, and make sure you have backup

charging methods such as a car charger.

• Keep your car’s gas tank full. If you use your car to

charge devices, do not leave the car running in a

garage, partly closed space, or near a home to

avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

• During a power outage, only use flashlights for

lighting. Avoid using candles, as they could be a

fire hazard.

• Review your household power outage supplies.

Ensure you have at least one flashlight with extra

batteries per household member and a ready

supply of nonperishable food and water.

• Turn off or disconnect appliances and other

equipment to protect them from quick power

surges. Whenever possible, use surge protectors.

• Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Generators,

camp stoves, or charcoal grills should always be

used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from

windows. Never use a gas stovetop or oven to heat

your home. Follow manufacturer instructions.

• Check on your neighbors. Older adults and young

children are especially vulnerable to extreme

temperatures.

• Keep perishable food cold to avoid illness. Keep a

thermometer in your refrigerator and freezer to

monitor the temperature. When in doubt, throw it

out! Throw away any food that has been exposed

to temperatures 40 degrees or higher for two

hours or more, or that has an unusual odor, color,

or texture.

• If the power is out for more than a day, discard

any medication that should be refrigerated, unless

the drug’s label says otherwise.

Thunderstorm, 

Lighting, and Hail

• When thunder roars, go indoors. When you hear

thunder or see lightning, immediately get inside a

sturdy building or enclosed vehicle with a metal

roof.

• Do not take shelter in small sheds, gazebos,

dugouts, bleachers, or in a convertible car. If

necessary, take shelter in a car with a metal top

and sides. Do not touch anything metal.

• If boating or swimming, get to land and find a

sturdy, grounded shelter or vehicle immediately.

• When you expect thunderstorms, plan to be near

sturdy shelter. Find a safe location nearby to

immediately go to at the first sound of thunder.

• Cut down or trim trees that may be in danger of

falling on your home.
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• Secure outdoor objects that could blow away or 

cause damage.

• Charge your mobile phone before the storm 

arrives. 

• Unplug all chargers when the storm arrives.

• During thunderstorms, avoid running water or 

using landline phones. Electricity can travel 

through plumbing and phone lines.

• During thunderstorms, pay attention to alerts 

from public officials. Watch for fallen power lines 

and trees.

• Consider buying surge protectors, lightning rods, 

or a lightning protection system to protect your 

home, appliances, and electronic devices.

 Tornado

• In the case of a tornado watch, stay close to a safe 

room, shelter, or sturdy building.

• Know the signs of a tornado, including a rotating 

funnel-shaped cloud, an approaching cloud of 

debris, or a loud roar—similar to a freight train.

• Know where to go in your community should a 

tornado form. Consider building or installing your 

own safe room in your home or business. Every 

safe room that complies with FEMA guidelines will 

have a sign showing the entrance location.

• The best shelter from a tornado is in a safe room 

built to FEMA P-361 standards, or a storm shelter 

built to ICC 500 standards. If you cannot get to a 

storm shelter or safe room, the next best 

protections are: an identified Best Available 

Refuge Area (BARA); or a small, interior, 

windowless room on the lowest level of a sturdy 

building that is not at risk of flooding. For more 

information, please visit FEMA.gov for guidance 

about community and residential safe rooms. 

• During a tornado warning, seek shelter. The 

National Weather Service defines “Watch” and 

“Warning” differently for specific hazards, as 

explained at Weather.gov. Generally, a watch 

means conditions are possible, while a warning 

means an event is expected, imminent, or already 

happening. Follow both watches and warnings 

carefully to know the next actions to take.

• Do not stay inside mobile homes or modular 

structures when tornadoes threaten. They are not 

safe.

• Wear thick-soled shoes, long pants, and work 

gloves during cleanup. 

• After a tornado, take safety measures to avoid 

injury from debris, contaminated water, carbon 

monoxide poisoning, and electrocution.

 Tsunami

• If you live near or visit a coastal area, learn about 

the tsunami risk. Some communities 

disproportionately affected by tsunamis have 

maps with evacuation zones and routes.

• Sign up for local tsunami alerts and follow the 

guidance provided.

• Learn the signs of a potential tsunami, such as an

earthquake, a loud roar from the ocean, or unusual 

ocean behavior, such as a sudden rise or wall of 

water or sudden draining showing the ocean floor.

• Know and practice community evacuation plans 

and map out your routes from home and work. 

Pick shelters 100 feet or more above sea level or at 

least one mile inland.

• Get as elevated or as far inland as possible in the 

event of an official or natural tsunami warning.

• Stay tuned for alerts and warnings once you are in 

a safe, elevated place.

• After a tsunami, only return home or enter flood 

damaged buildings when authorities tell you it is

safe to do so.

 Volcano

• Learn about community warning systems, and 

evacuation and shelter plans. The U.S. Geological 

Survey (USGS) Volcano Notification Service (VNS) 

also gives notifications.

• Follow evacuation orders. If authorities give an 

evacuation order, evacuate immediately from the 

volcano area to avoid flying debris, hot gases, 

lateral blast, and lava flow.

• Avoid areas downwind and river valleys 

downstream of the volcano. Wind and gravity will 

carry rubble and ash. 

• Take temporary shelter from volcanic ash where 

you are if you have enough supplies. Cover 

ventilation openings, and seal doors and windows.
11 Ready.gov

• Avoid driving in heavy ash fall. Volcanic ash may 

clog engines and stall vehicles. Moving parts—

including bearings, brakes, and transmissions—

may become damaged from abrasion.

• If outside, protect yourself from falling ash that 

can irritate skin and injure breathing passages, 

eyes, and open wounds. Wear goggles and 

eyeglasses (instead of contact lenses) and longsleeved shirts and pants to reduce exposure to 

ash. 

• Keep several N95 respirators in your emergency 

kit to avoid breathing dangerous particles during 

and after an event. Fit test each mask to ensure a 

tight seal on the face. For more information about 

N95 respirators, visit CDC.gov. 

 Wildfire

• Set up defense zones around your home and 

property.

• Remove gas, oil, propane, and other sources of fuel

from within 30 feet of your property, as well as 

items likely to catch on fire, such as garbage and 

yard waste.

• Reduce vegetation from 30 to 100 feet of your 

property. Trim trees, remove stray branches, and 

clear driveways. Work with your neighbors to 

remove underbrush and thin trees.

• Remove tree and shrub canopies that patch 

together within 200 feet from any structure in the 

neighborhood. 

• Use fire-resistant construction materials when 

renovating or building new homes. Always check 

and comply with local building codes and 

regulations before building.

• Find an outdoor water source with a hose that can 

reach any area of your property.

• Stay informed of weather conditions and other 

emergencies that may cause a wildfire.

• Evacuate immediately once a notice has been 

issued to avoid your evacuation route being 

blocked by the wildfire.

• Keep several N95 respirators in your emergency 

kit to avoid breathing dangerous particles during 

and after an event. Fit test each mask to ensure a 

tight seal on the face. For more information about 

N95 respirators, visit CDC.gov.

• Listen to authorities to find out if it is safe to 

return home and whether water is safe to drink.

• Avoid hot ash, charred trees, smoldering debris, 

and live embers. The ground may contain heat 

pockets that can burn you or spark another fire. 

Consider the danger to pets and livestock walking 

the ground.

 Winter Storm

• Prepare your home to keep out the cold with 

insulation, caulking, and weather stripping.

• Include warm clothing and blankets in your 

emergency supply kits.

• Create an emergency supply kit for your car. 

Include jumper cables, sand, a flashlight, bottled 

water, and non-perishable snacks. Keep the gas 

tank full.

• Install battery-powered smoke detectors and 

carbon monoxide detectors in central locations on 

every floor of your home and outside of bedrooms. 

Electric detectors with battery backup are also 

acceptable.

• Limit your time outside. If you need to go outside, 

wear layers of warm clothing. Watch for signs of 

frostbite and hypothermia.

• Avoid driving. If you are trapped, stay in your 

vehicle. 

• Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Only use 

generators and grills outdoors and away from 

windows. Never heat your home with a gas 

stovetop or oven.

• Take refuge with family or friends if your home 

loses power or heat for more than a few hours, or 

if you do not have supplies to stay warm in your 

home overnight.

• Use designated public shelters if no other safe 

refuge is available.

• Check on neighbors. Older adults and young 

children are more at risk in extreme cold.
12 Ready.gov

Make a Plan

An emergency plan can help you reach loved ones when normal communication methods are not working or are 

inaccessible. Most importantly, it may help you stay safe in a disaster and give you peace of mind. Consider making 

plans for evacuation, communication, and to protect critical documents and your property. 

Create a Family Emergency Communication Plan

Know how to contact and meet family members before, during, or after a disaster by making a Family Emergency 

Communication Plan. The first step is to collect all contact information from your family and add it to the 

communication plan. Include contact information for other important people or organizations as well, such as 

medical facilities, doctors, schools, or service providers. You should also set an out-of-state point of contact, which 

enables everyone in your family to share updates through that person if local communication is unavailable. Be 

sure to have at least two forms of contact for that person. 

You may also use social media as an important method of communication with your family. Encourage your entire 

family to sign up for social media applications such as Facebook Safety Check or American Red Cross Safe and Well. 

Make sure everyone understands the Family Emergency Communication Plan and carries a digital or wallet card 

copy at all times. You should also post a copy in a central location in your home, such as on your refrigerator or 

family bulletin board. You can find premade templates to build wallet cards and large print plans at Ready.gov. It is 

vital that your family practice your plan once you have developed it—just like you would a fire drill. Have regular 

household meetings to go over your communication plan and meeting place after a disaster.
13 Ready.gov

Know Local Plans and 

Resources

Knowing what plans already exist can help you 

understand what you need to plan for and what 

resources are available. Ask local officials about your 

community’s emergency preparedness plans and 

learn about opportunities for education and training. 

Parents and guardians should make sure that schools 

and daycare centers have emergency response plans. 

Ask how schools will communicate with parents and 

guardians during a crisis, and whether they keep 

enough food, water, and other basic supplies on hand. 

In addition, find out if schools are prepared to shelter 

in place, whether they have designated evacuation 

locations, and whether they have plans to reunite 

families. Knowing your loved ones are safe when 

away from home will give you peace of mind in 

emergencies.

Make an Evacuation and 

Shelter Plan

You must find protection for you and your family 

when disaster strikes. Deciding whether to evacuate

or to shelter in place depends on many factors, 

including the hazard you are facing and whether your 

shelter will keep you safe.

Evacuation: Local officials declare when a 

mandatory evacuation will occur. Local officials may 

also advise, but not require, evacuations. 

Sheltering: The best protection in high winds, 

tornadoes, and many other events is to find shelter in 

an interior room away from windows, doors, and 

flood waters. The next section—Take Action: Protect 

Yourself, Your Property, and Manage Risk—describes

other things you may do to help strengthen your 

home against possible hazards, keeping you and your 

family safe.

While this section gives guidance on evacuation and 

shelter, you should always follow the orders and 

advice of local government authorities and first 

responders.

When you and your family evacuate, follow these 

guidelines:

• Pick safe meeting places in several different 

directions so you will always have somewhere to 

go in an emergency. One should be within your 

immediate neighborhood and another should be 

further away, such as in a nearby town.

• Make sure that everyone in your household knows 

where to go during different types of disasters. 

Consider the locations that everyone goes to often.

• Make sure these locations are accessible for 

household members and create a plan on how 

they will get there in the event of an emergency. 

• If you have a vehicle, keep a full tank of gas in it if 

an evacuation seems likely, and remember to 

never allow your gas tank to drop below half full. 

Plan to take only one car per family to reduce 

traffic and help others evacuate safely.

• Become familiar with alternate routes and backup 

modes of transportation to get out of your area.

• Leave early enough to avoid being trapped by 

severe weather. Follow the recommended 

evacuation routes and do not take shortcuts 

because they may be blocked.

• Be alert for road hazards such as washed-out 

roads or bridges and downed power lines. Do not 

drive into flooded areas.

• If you do not have a car, plan your transportation 

in case of an evacuation. Make plans with family, 

friends, or your local government.

• Take your emergency supply kit with you during 

an evacuation.

• Pay attention to your radio or smartphone/tablet 

and follow local evacuation instructions.

• Take your pets with you but understand that only 

service animals may be allowed in public shelters. 

Research pet friendly shelters or places to board 

your pets before a disaster strikes.
14 Ready.gov

If you have enough time before evacuating:

• Call, text message, or email the out-of-state contact 

in your Family Emergency Communication Plan to 

inform them of where you are going.

• Keep your home safe by closing and locking doors 

and windows.

• Unplug electrical equipment such as radios, 

televisions, and small appliances. Leave freezers 

and refrigerators plugged in, unless there is a risk 

of flooding.

• If there is damage to your home and you are told 

to do so, shut off water, gas, and electricity before 

leaving. Learn how to do this before a disaster 

from a professional plumber or electrician, your 

local utility provider, or at Ready.gov. 

• Leave a note telling others when you left and 

where you are going.

• Wear sturdy shoes and clothing that give 

protection such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts, 

and a hat.

• Check with neighbors who may need a ride.

Gather Emergency 

Supplies

Gathering emergency supplies for an emergency 

supply kit is an essential component to disaster 

preparedness. You should store emergency supplies 

in different places, such as your home, office, and

vehicle. Your basic emergency supply kit should 

include the following: 

• Water. Keep one gallon of drinking water, per 

person, per day in your kit. Depending on where 

you live, you may wish to keep 3, 7, or even 14 

days of water on hand.

• Food. Keep as much non-perishable food, like cans 

and dry goods, as your family will need to survive 

a major disaster.

• Cash. Keep enough cash on hand to buy food, fuel, 

and a few nights in a hotel in case you need to 

evacuate.

• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

(NOAA) All Hazards-Weather Radio with tone 

alert—keep extra batteries for both.

• Flashlight and extra batteries.

• First aid kit.

• Whistle.

• N95 respirator masks. Keep several in your kit and 

fit test each mask to ensure a tight seal on the face. 

They are light and small, but may keep you safe 

from smoke and chemicals.

• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities.

• Can opener and other food preparation tools.

• Local maps.

Other items you may want to add to your 

emergency supply kit:

• Prescription medications and glasses.

• Infant formula and diapers.

• Pet food and extra water for your pet.

• Important family documents.

• Cash and change.

• Emergency reference material (e.g., a first aid 

book or information from Ready.gov).

• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person; you 

may need extra bedding if you live in a cold 

climate.

• Complete change of clothing, including a longsleeved shirt, long pants, and sturdy shoes.

• Water purification system.

• Fire extinguisher.

• Personal feminine hygiene products.

• Camping mess kits for cooking, paper cups, plastic 

plates and utensils, and paper towels.

• Paper and pencil.

• Books, games, puzzles, or other activities for 

children and adults.
15 Ready.gov

• Cleaning supplies, soap, and hand sanitizer that

has at least 60 percent alcohol.

This list serves only as a guide. Consider additional 

factors such as ages, diets, health, mobility, and the 

local climate. For additional resources, please visit 

Ready.gov. 

Since you do not know where you will be when an 

emergency happens, prepare supplies for home, 

work, and vehicles. Have separate, smaller sets of 

emergency supplies for your vehicle and workplace 

to last at least 24 hours in case you need to stay 

where you are. Include any essential medications in 

all supply kits.

Home: Keep this kit in a designated 

place and have it ready in case you have 

to leave your home quickly. Make sure 

all family members know where the kit 

is kept.

Office: Be prepared to shelter at work 

for at least 24 hours. Your work kit 

should include food, water, comfortable 

walking shoes, and other necessities 

like medicines.

Vehicle: In case you become stranded, 

keep a kit of emergency supplies in 

your car.

After putting together your emergency supply kits, 

check your needs every six months. Update your kit 

regularly, especially as your family’s needs change, to 

ensure it is ready and safe when disaster strikes.

Maintain your kit by taking the following actions:

• Keep canned foods in a dry, cool place.

• Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal

containers to protect from pests and to extend

shelf life. Be sure to write the storage date on all

containers.

• Throw out any canned good that is expired or has

become swollen, dented, or corroded.

• Use foods before they go bad and replace them

with fresh supplies.

• Place new items at the back of the storage area

and older ones in the front.

• Keep items in airtight plastic bags and put your

entire disaster supply kit in one or two easy-tocarry containers, such as an unused trashcan,

camping backpack, or duffel bag.

Store commercially bottled water with your kit, not 

tap water. For more information about clean drinking 

water and how to sanitize water if no clean water is 

available, visit Ready.gov. 

Prepare Your Critical 

Documents

It is important to find and gather your valuables and 

information that will help you recover quickly and 

effectively after a disaster. Collect these documents

and make a list of your household belongings and 

valuables. This is a critical step because you may 

need this inventory list for insurance records. 

An overview of the items you should keep track of 

is below:

• Household identification documents such as

property deeds or leasing agreements.

• Financial and legal documents like bank

statements and paystubs.

• Medical information and proof of insurance,

including medical records and your doctor’s

contact information.

• Emergency or hotline contact information.

For a more detailed checklist and tips to help you 

prepare financially, read the Emergency Financial 

First Aid Kit. 

Once you have put together your financial, legal, and 

contact information, it is important to protect it. Keep 

paper copies of these documents at home in a fireand waterproof box or safe, in a bank safe deposit 

box, or with a person you trust. Keep electronic 

copies of these documents in a password protected, 

encrypted format on a removable flash or external 

hard drive in your fire- and waterproof box or safe, or 

use a secure cloud-based service.
16 Ready.gov

Take Action: Protect Yourself, 

Your Property, and Manage Risk 

There are many simple actions that you can take now to prepare yourself and your property for a disaster. For 

example, you should regularly practice your disaster plan with your family and review and understand your 

insurance coverage. This section will describe other preparedness actions you and your family can take. 

Keep Informed: Alerts and Warnings

There are many alert and warning systems to keep you and your family up-to-date while at work, home, school, or 

away. Learn which are available in areas you spend a lot of time and subscribe to them. Once you have signed up, 

officials in your area can send you text or email messages about local emergencies. Some may have mobile apps to 

ensure that you can receive the information when disasters happen. Workplaces, schools, and community-based or 

faith-based groups may have their own similar opt-in notification systems. 

You can also use mobile apps with local alert functions to stay informed of hazards in your area. For example, the 

FEMA app offers notifications with information on local threats. Double check that your mobile devices can get 

Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs). Make a list of all the alert systems available to you, and make sure everyone in 

your household gets the alerts as part of your household communication plan. 

With all notification systems, make sure you can find and understand the messages that are sent. Assistive 

communication devices can help people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs get forecasts, 

warnings, and emergency messages.
17 Ready.gov

Know Your Insurance 

Options and Document 

Your Property Understanding your insurance needs is an important 

step to prepare yourself and your family for a 

disaster. Getting the right type and amount of 

insurance may mean the difference between a quick 

recovery from disaster and years of financial 

challenges. Take the following actions now to find 

and secure the appropriate insurance policies to

protect your family’s financial health.

Different lines of insurance are available to cover the 

many types of potential damage caused by a disaster. 

Homeowners’ and renters’ insurance policies usually 

give you the following areas of coverage:

• Dwelling – coverage for your house. 

• Other structures – coverage for structures such 

as garages, decks, and fences. 

• Personal property – coverage for items such as 

furniture, clothing, and appliances. 

• Loss-of-use – payments if you need to move 

temporarily due to covered damage. 

• Personal liability – coverage for accidents 

happening on your property. 

• Medical protection – payments for someone who 

is injured on your property. 

• Property damage to others – coverage if you 

accidentally break or damage someone else’s 

property. 

Many landlords and property management 

companies will want to see proof of a renter’s 

insurance when you sign a lease. If you own a 

business, you will need to purchase business (or 

commercial) insurance to protect your property and 

employees.

Manufactured homes, condominiums, and farms have 

special insurance policies. Your bank or mortgage 

lender may also have minimum insurance 

requirements as a condition of your loan. Always 

make sure you have enough coverage to rebuild or 

replace what you lose if disaster strikes.

What’s Covered? 

Understand Your Policy.

The insurance industry identifies a cause of loss, such 

as fire or theft, as a “peril.” Insurance only applies 

when your policy covers the peril that caused the 

loss. Be sure to check your policy to see which perils 

it covers, and in what situations. A homeowner’s 

policy may cover different perils for the house and 

for personal property. The policy may also have 

different deductibles based on the peril.

Always check your individual policy for specific 

details. For example, basic property insurance 

policies may not cover losses caused by flooding, 

wind, earthquakes, terrorism, or pollution. You can 

purchase flood insurance coverage through the 

National Flood Insurance Program. In addition, you 

can purchase earthquake, terrorism, and pollution 

coverage separately or as an add-on to an existing 

policy by visiting FloodSmart.gov. 

Do You Need Flood 

Insurance? Understand 

Your Flood Risk.

Flooding is the most common and costly disaster 

in the U.S. Talk with your insurance agent if your 

property is at risk for flooding or mudflows, including 

flooding caused by hurricanes or earthquakes. You 

can purchase flood insurance coverage through the 

National Flood Insurance Program. Other flooding 

impacts, such as mold or mildew damage, can also be 
18 Ready.gov

covered with basic property insurance, but may have 

a limited amount of loss payable.

If you live in a high-risk flood area, your Federallybacked mortgage lender will require you to purchase 

flood insurance. Even if you are not in a high-risk 

area, it is a good idea to purchase coverage in the 

event of a flood. Nearly 25 percent of all flood 

insurance claims come from outside of the highrisk flood area.

The cost of flood insurance is a fraction of the cost of 

the damage that even minor flooding can cause. 

There is usually a 30-day waiting period between the 

time when you purchase flood protection to the date 

when coverage begins, so do not delay your 

insurance purchase. The insurance agent who helped 

you purchase your auto, homeowners, or life 

insurance can help you purchase flood insurance. If 

you are unable to find an insurance company offering 

a policy that meets your needs, contact your state 

insurance department.

Document Your Property

Keep a detailed record of your valuable belongings to 

help you recover and file a claim more quickly. 

Remember that you may be able to get tax credits or 

deductions for your losses, but documentation is 

important.

For your home inventory, take photos or videos to 

record your belongings and write down descriptions, 

including year, make, and model numbers. Take 

photos or videos of the inside and outside of your 

home as well, including spaces like closets and 

cabinet interiors. Also, consider getting an appraisal 

for high value items. Then, keep your inventory on a 

portable computer drive like a CD or flash drive, in 

online remote storage like a cloud storage system, in 

an electronic file, or written down on paper. 

Keep your inventory somewhere away from your 

home where it can be accessed after a disaster. For 

more information and links to insurance resources, 

visit FEMA.gov. 

Protect Your Property

There are actions that you can take right now that 

can mitigate (i.e., to make less severe) the impact 

that a potential disaster might have on your home or 

property. Trimming trees away from your home, 

installing working shutters, anchoring your 

manufactured home, or creating a tornado safe room 

to protect your family are all examples of mitigation.

Mitigation techniques that strengthen your home are 

often beneficial for more than one type of disaster. 

While a professional must complete most structural 

mitigation, there are many do-it-yourself mitigation 

techniques as well. For details, visit Ready.gov and 

FEMA.gov. 

If you are constructing a new home or building, use 

mitigation techniques to help you avoid damage in 

the future. First, find out if your site is subject to 

flooding or storm surge, exposed to possible 

significant ground shaking from earthquakes, built on 

a steep slope, or close to hazardous facilities. Once 

you select a suitable site, construction should meet 

and/or exceed relevant building codes. These 

include requirements for fire protection and life 

safety, as well as other measures like strengthening 

structures against high winds.

People who live in existing homes can take actions to 

mitigate their structures for disasters, too. Examples 

include actions such as upgrading windows, doors, 

and garage doors to meet high-wind or windborne 

debris impact standards. Additionally, you can 

retrofit protective measures like tornado safe rooms 

into an existing home with professional help. Do not 

forget to let your insurance agent know about any 

mitigation measures you take—they may qualify you 

for more discounts or savings. See Ready.gov for 

more risk mitigation resources.
19 Ready.gov

Practice Your Disaster Plans

Make a schedule to practice, update, and tailor your plans. Take the following actions regularly:

• Test your evacuation and shelter plan.

• Test your communication plan.

• Refresh your emergency supplies (at least 

every six months).

• Hold an emergency response drill.

• Keep your critical documents safe and 

updated. 

• Review your inventory (update as your 

belongings change).

• Have an insurance checkup.

The following is a proposed one-year timeline for implementing your 

disaster plan:

MONTH 1: Sign up for CPR and first aid training, as 

well as other hazard-specific training offered in your 

area or online.

MONTH 2: Make and document a customized plan 

for your family. Consider the impact to your plan if 

multiple hazards occur at the same time, such as a 

pandemic and hurricane or an earthquake and 

tsunami.

MONTH 3: Build your financial savings, and keep a 

small amount of cash at home in a safe place.

MONTH 4: Test your evacuation and shelter plan. 

Participate in a preparedness drill.

MONTH 5: Test your Family Emergency 

Communication Plan.

MONTH 6: Safeguard your important documents.

MONTH 7: Plan with your neighbors and 

community leaders.

MONTH 8: Find ways to make your home safer.

MONTH 9: Make sure that everyone in your 

household knows where to go during different types 

of disasters.

MONTH 10: Assemble or update supplies.

MONTH 11: Get involved in your community.

MONTH 12: Document and insure property. 

Purchase flood insurance or other relevant coverage.
20 Ready.gov

Take Part in Your 

Community

You can help support your community before, during, 

and after a disaster. Contact your local emergency 

manager to learn about opportunities near you. 

Nonprofits, faith-based organizations, schools, and 

civic groups are all great places to begin your search.

Volunteer

There are many ways to volunteer 

your time to help your community, 

including delivering food to older 

adults or organizing your own 

community project. Consider any 

special skills you can offer.

Train

Take training in CPR and basic first 

aid, as well as other hazard-specific 

training, such as active shooter 

safety.

Donate

Donating cash to a recognized 

disaster relief organization is the 

most effective way to contribute. 

Even small donations can make a big 

impact.

Below are some options to get you started in 

supporting community disaster resilience:

• Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) 

Program (Ready.gov/CERT). CERT programs 

teach you basic disaster response skills, such as 

fire safety and emergency medical operations.

• Participate in Community Emergency 

Preparedness Planning. (FEMA.gov). Many 

communities have local emergency preparedness 

councils that provide preparedness resources and 

plan for emergencies. To learn more, contact your 

local emergency manager.

• Medical Reserve Corps (mrc.hhs.gov). The 

Medical Reserve Corps is committed to improving 

the health, safety, and resiliency of local 

communities.

• Neighborhood Watch (nnw.org) and Volunteers 

in Police Service (theiacp.org/VIPS). Both

programs empower the public to protect their 

community through volunteer crime prevention.

• Fire Corps (firecorps.org). Fire Corps lets 

community members volunteer their time and 

skills to local fire departments for nonemergencies.

• American Red Cross (redcross.org). Local 

American Red Cross chapters can help train you in 

CPR and first aid and volunteer to help mass care 

and sheltering operations.

• Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster

(VOAD) (nvoad.org). VOAD is a group of 

organizations that have made disaster-related 

work a priority and volunteer to help communities 

post-disaster.

• Meals on Wheels America

(mealsonwheelsamerica.org). Meals on Wheels 

America gives meals and important disaster 

preparedness information to older adults through 

community nutrition programs.

• Civil Air Patrol (gocivilairpatrol.com). The Civil 

Air Patrol finds lost persons; gives comfort in 

times of disaster; and promotes science, 

technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) 

education.

• American Radio Relay League (arrl.org). The 

American Radio Relay League trains people 

interested in learning how to use ham radios.

• You Are the Help Until Help Arrives

(community.fema.gov/until-help-arrives). Until 

Help Arrives is a program that teaches simple life 

saving skills to use until emergency services come 

to help.

• Youth Preparedness (Ready.gov/kids). FEMA 

Youth Preparedness programs offers steps for 

young people to get involved in their community’s

preparedness. 

• Join or Start a Preparedness Project

(nationalservice.gov/serve). Learn how to find a 

need in your community, build a team to help, and 

complete your project.

• Teach Others to Be Prepared (Ready.gov). Once 

you have prepared yourself and your family, 

become a leader in preparedness.

• Make a Financial Donation

(FEMA.gov/volunteer-donate-responsibly). 

Support major disasters by donating cash or goods 

that may help meet the needs of your community 

in times of disaster.
21 Ready.gov

Recovering from a Disaster

Recovering from a disaster can be a slow process. Returning home, cleaning up, and repairing damage can be 

challenging and stressful. Personal safety and mental and physical well-being are primary concerns, and loss of 

property and money are also important. You should file insurance claims as soon as possible and know what to 

expect to reduce uncertainty. If help is available, knowing how to find it makes the process faster and less stressful.

Health and Safety Guidelines

Be sure to follow safety guidelines after a disaster and pay 

attention to your health. During disaster cleanup, beware of 

exhaustion. Do not try to do too much at once: set priorities, pace 

yourself, and take breaks for rest. Drink plenty of clean water and 

eat well. Wear sturdy work boots and gloves and wash your hands 

thoroughly with soap and clean water often when working in 

debris. 

Be aware of new safety issues created by the disaster. Look for 

washed-out roads, contaminated buildings, contaminated water, 

gas leaks, broken glass, damaged electrical wiring, and slippery 

surfaces. Let local authorities know about health and safety issues, 

including chemical spills, downed power lines, washed-out roads, 

smoldering insulation, and dead animals.

Returning Home

Be careful and plan ahead when returning 

home after a disaster. To stay safe, wait 

until local authorities say it is OK to 

return. 

The first thing that you should do after 

returning home is contact your insurance 

company. Take pictures and videos of 

damage and keep accurate records of 

repair and cleaning costs. For more 

information about coming back home, visit

Ready.gov/returning-home.
22 Ready.gov

Before You Enter Your 

Home

Use a flashlight to inspect your home. If you do not 

see much damage, carefully walk around the outside 

and check for loose or downed power lines, gas leaks, 

and/or structural damage. 

If your house has been damaged, a qualified inspector 

should check to be sure it is safe to enter and occupy. 

Not only will you learn if the building is safe, but you 

will also learn what repairs you need to make. Never 

enter if you smell gas, notice floodwaters around the 

building, or if your home has fire damage that a 

qualified official has not yet inspected. If you have 

any doubts about safety, leave the area immediately 

and ask for an inspection by a qualified building 

inspector or structural engineer.

Inside Your Home

Be careful when going inside your home after a 

disaster and keep the following things in mind:

Natural Gas

If you smell gas or hear a hissing or blowing sound, 

open a window and leave immediately. Only 

professionals should turn on your home’s gas supply.

Do not smoke or use oil, gas lanterns, candles, or 

torches for lighting until you are sure there is no 

leaking gas or other flammable materials there.

Sparks, Broken, Or Frayed Wires

Do not check the electrical system if you are wet, 

standing in water, or unsure of your safety. If 

possible, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box 

or circuit breaker. Do not turn on the lights until you 

are sure they are safe to use. You may want to have 

an electrician inspect your wiring.

Roof, Foundation, And Chimney Cracks

Do not enter a building that shows any sign of 

structural damage like cracks in the walls, windows 

and doors out of square, or shifts in the foundation.

Appliances

If appliances are wet, turn off the electricity at the 

main fuse box or circuit breaker. Next, unplug 

appliances and allow them to dry. Have appliances 

checked by a professional before using them again. 

Have the electrical system checked by an electrician 

before turning the power back on.

Water and Sewage Systems

Check with your local water authority that your 

water is safe to drink. You may have a Boil Water 

Notice in affect for your area.

Food and Other Supplies

Food in the refrigerator should be safe during a 

power outage if the power is out for no more than 

four hours, and if you kept the door closed. Throw 

away any perishable food (such as meat, poultry, fish, 

eggs, and leftovers) that have been above 40 degrees 

Fahrenheit for over two hours. Throw away all food 

and other supplies that may have been contaminated 

or have come into contact with floodwater or fire.

Basements

If your basement has flooded, pump it out slowly

(about one third of the water per day) to avoid 

damage. The walls may collapse, and the floor may 

buckle, if you pump out the basement while the 

surrounding ground is still saturated.

Cabinets

Be careful as you open cabinets; objects may fall.

Pests or Vermin

Be aware of potential pest problems, such as mice, 

rats, insects, or snakes that may have come with the 

storm. Remember that disasters and life-threatening 

situations will increase the unpredictable nature of 

wild animals. Contact your local animal control office, 

wildlife resource office, emergency management 

office, or health department for more help. 
23 Ready.gov

File an Insurance Claim

If a covered peril damages your home, you should act quickly to make the claims process go smoothly. Below are 

the steps to file a homeowner’s claim after the event.

Get in Contact with Your Insurance Company to Start the Claims Process

After experiencing a flood, contact your agent or insurance company to file a claim. Make sure you 

have the necessary information handy, including your policy number and a telephone and/or email 

address where you can be reached at all times. An adjuster should contact you within several days of filing your 

claim. If you do not hear from an adjuster, you can contact your insurance agent or company again.

Document the Damage and Protect Your Property

Separate your damaged property from undamaged property. Your adjuster will need evidence of the 

damage to your home and possessions to prepare your repair estimate. Take photographs of all the 

damaged property, including discarded objects, structural damage, and standing floodwater levels. In addition, 

make a list of damaged or lost items and include their date of purchase, value, and receipts, if you have that 

information. 

If your home is severely damaged and you need to find somewhere else to stay while repairs are made, keep 

records and receipts of all extra expenses you incur (e.g., hotel and restaurant expenses). Most homeowner 

insurance policies cover the “loss of use” of their home. Be aware that many policies do not cover these extra 

expenses if your home was subject to a mandatory evacuation order and there is no loss to your home.

Work with Your Adjuster and Complete A Proof of Loss to Support Your Claim

Working with your adjuster can save time and help you get your settlement on time. Your adjuster will 

assist you in preparing a Proof of Loss, which is your sworn statement of the amount you are claiming

including necessary supporting documentation. A Proof of Loss can contain many things, but must include the 

specific details set forth in your insurance policy.

You’ll receive your claim payment after you and the insurer agree on the amount of damages and the insurer has 

your complete, accurate, and signed Proof of Loss. If a major claim event occurs, it may take longer than normal to 

process claims and make payments because of the number of claims submitted. If you have any questions about the 

laws of filing a claim in your state, call your insurance agent or your state insurance department.

Coping with Disaster

Disasters can have a significant impact on your mental health and that of 

your family, especially if your home, business, or personal property is 

destroyed. Seek crisis counseling if you or someone in your family is having 

issues with disaster-related stress. People may also be worried about 

infectious disease outbreaks like COVID-19. This can lead to discrimination 

against people, places, or nations. You can stop discrimination and stigma 

by knowing the facts and sharing them with your community. 

Make sure you understand the individual effects of a disaster, recognize 

signs of disaster-related stress, and always handle and receive help for that 

stress. The emotional toll that disaster brings can sometimes be even more 

devastating than the financial strains of damage and loss of home, business, 

or personal property. For more information, visit Ready.gov/coping-withdisaster.
24 Ready.gov

Disaster Assistance

After a disaster, it’s important to check local radio or 

television reports and other media sources for 

information about where to get emergency housing, 

food, first aid, clothing, and financial help. Postdisaster economic assistance programs may be 

available for some people. Direct help with food, 

shelter, supplies, and cleanup efforts can come from 

many organizations, including the American Red 

Cross, the Salvation Army, and local volunteer 

organizations. Following major disasters, the Federal 

Government can also provide support to people 

through temporary housing, counseling (for postdisaster trauma), low-interest loans and grants, and 

in other ways. The Federal Government also has 

programs that help small businesses and farmers.

Most Federal aid becomes available when the 

President of the United States declares a “Major 

Disaster” for the affected area. FEMA will give 

information through the media and community 

outreach about Federal aid and how to apply. 

Federal Disaster Assistance

For more information about Federal grants and 

assistance programs, visit Disasterassistance.gov

where you will be able to:

Find Assistance

Apply Online

Check Your Status

Protect Yourself from 

Disaster-Related Fraud 

and Scams

If you have any doubt about why you need to give 

personal information, do not do it, and report people 

claiming to be government workers to local 

authorities. 

To protect against disaster-related fraud, FEMA 

officials suggest the following precautions:

• Ask for official laminated photo ID. A FEMA 

shirt or U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 

jacket is not absolute proof of identity.

• Protect your personal information. Do not give 

out your personal information, such as Social 

Security or bank account numbers, unless you are 

sure it is safe. FEMA inspectors never need this 

information to begin services. During follow-up 

calls, a FEMA representative may ask for the last 

four digits of an applicant’s Social Security number 

to confirm identity or claim number.

• Beware of people going door-to-door. People 

going door-to-door to damaged homes, or calling 

homeowners claiming to be building contractors 

could be attempting to scam you, especially if they 

ask for financial information.

• FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams give out 

fliers with guidance about what you should have 

on hand when you call or go online to apply for 

help. You might need to have your personal 

information such as Social Security and bank 

account numbers ready to apply for help.

• Federal workers do not ask for or accept 

money. FEMA and SBA staff never charge 

applicants for disaster help, inspections, or help in 

filling out applications. FEMA inspectors check 

damage, but do not hire or support specific 

contractors to fix homes or recommend repairs.

You should report suspicious activity to local 

authorities and the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 

1-866-720-5721. Your state may have more 

resources to report or protect against disasterrelated fraud.

Give Support

There are many ways you and your family can offer 

support to those in need after a disaster. If you can, 

help your neighbors to restore your community. If 

possible, donate cash to disaster relief organizations, 

and be sure to check with local officials before 

volunteering or donating goods. Children, elderly 

people, non-native English speakers, people with 

disabilities, and others with access and functional 

needs are significantly affected after a disaster may 

need special care.
25 Ready.gov

FEMA P-2064

Catalog No.17219-1