Do not worry about planning in advance. Spend as if the public funds were unlimited and take all the credit yourself. Disasters are a political goldmine. Declare as many disaster areas as possible. When caught in violation of law, remain calm.
Voters hate a coward who shows weakness.
Even when voters know you are lying, if you are well liked, they will prefer to believe you over your accuser. There will be some eruptions and bad press, but any crisis can be ridden out. Gary Hart lost his chance for the presidency, not because he was an adulterer, but because he quit under pressure. Clinton won both terms because he continued to deny under pressure. Only the very stupid were unaware that he was dissembling, but bluster is greater than integrity, greater than honesty, greater than virtue, greater than morality.