Emergency Planning

How to Plan Ahead for Natural Disasters

By Dean Burgess
November 30, 2022
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Dean Burgess started Excitepreneur to explore the areas of entrepreneurship that are often overlooked and share with current and aspiring entrepreneurs the stories and lessons he has learned. He fully believes entrepreneurs will lead us to a more exciting future.

No matter where you live, there’s a chance of extreme weather or natural disasters. Even in areas with a low probability, having an emergency plan in place is a wise move for your family.

Not only will you be well prepared, but your kids will also recognize what they need to do in the event a natural disaster strikes. Easy Emergency Plan can help you take the guesswork out of planning and help ensure your family’s safety and wellbeing.

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What Constitutes a Natural Disaster?

Any extreme weather resulting in property damage, power outages, or a risk to personal safety can be considered a natural disaster. According to the Red Cross, this includes hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, wildfires, and earthquakes.

In some parts of the country, extreme heat and cold are also considered dangerous weather conditions. Start by identifying potential emergency weather situations in your vicinity and come together as a family to create a response plan that everybody finds comfortable.

Plan Ahead

Advanced planning is key to your disaster preparedness. Store an emergency kit that includes water, ready-to-eat foods you can prepare with or without electricity, toiletries, a first aid kit, and food for pets if you have them.

Store your items in an easy-to-access location or a “go bag” in case the upcoming weather event or natural disaster displaces you from your home. Also, keep phone battery chargers and power sources available, as well as flashlights and a hand-crank portable radio to stay abreast of events.

Financial preparedness is also something to consider, especially if banking systems close due to a disaster.

Rehearse Your Plans

You’ll need to create a specific plan for your family based on the potential for disaster where you live.

For example, if you live in the Midwest, you might see regular tornado activity. You’ll want to educate the family about relocating to a safe shelter like a basement, a storm shelter, or even a bathtub situated far from widows.

If you’re in an area prone to wildfire, you’ll want to have numerous paths for a safe exit in the event one or more routes are blocked. According to the Insurance Information Institute, make sure you have a designated family meeting place if you get separated.

Regardless of the disaster, you’ll want a contact located elsewhere who can serve as a check-in point for all of you.

Plan for Post-Event Needs

When disaster strikes an area, service providers are often overwhelmed. As such, it’s wise to have services identified in advance.

Whether you need professionals to pump water out of your basement, remove tree limbs from your roof, or provide other cleanup and repair services, you’ll be able to reach out quickly.

When exploring these service providers, start your search on Angi.com. Then get at least three written estimates in advance.

While natural disasters and extreme weather events can be frightening, educating your family can create a sense of calm. Children, especially, benefit when you reassure them that you’re trying to empower them and keep them safe.