After our chaotic week last August—when we experienced both an earthquake and a hurricane within days—we received many requests for a post about emergency preparedness. We hesitated because we’re not professionals in this area, but fortunately two knowledgeable readers stepped in to share practical, experience-based advice. They sent us clear, useful recommendations that boil down to three simple principles: make a kit, make a plan, and stay informed. Below is the distilled, user-friendly guidance they provided.
Our contributors include Amanda F., who holds a master’s degree in emergency management and served as an emergency coordinator for a Los Angeles hospital (earthquake experience included). She now lives in Washington, DC, where hurricanes are more common. Michelle O. is the Deputy Coordinator of Emergency Management for our county. Their combined advice is practical, straightforward, and built for real households. Here’s how to get started:
#1. Make a Kit – An emergency kit doesn’t need to be elaborate or costly. Even a small kit that sustains your household for 48–72 hours is far better than nothing. Consider assembling three types of kits:
- Stay-at-Home Kit: Prepare to be without power for at least three days. Include non-perishable food, water (roughly 1 gallon per person per day), a reliable flashlight with spare batteries, a battery-powered radio, a manual can opener, a basic first-aid kit and any prescription medications (plus extras like glasses or contact lenses), cash (ATMs may be down), and copies of essential personal and financial documents stored in a waterproof container.
- Kid/Pet Kit: If you have children or pets, create a kit tailored to their needs: formula, baby food, diapers, comfort items and favorite toys, pet food, blankets, and any medications.
- Go Kit: Have a backpack ready for each household member in case you must evacuate. Include water, high-energy snacks, a change of clothes, sturdy shoes, basic toiletries, and any vital medications or documents.
We previously evaluated our own emergency kit and identified several gaps. It’s worth reviewing and updating your supplies when you change homes or circumstances.
One practical tip is to include durable copies of important documents. This protects you in case your home is damaged or destroyed. Store photocopies or digital backups (on a flash drive or burned to a disc) in a waterproof bag at home and keep another set in a safe-deposit box. Consider copies of:
- Driver’s license and passport
- Social Security card
- Birth certificates
- Health insurance cards
- Insurance policies
- Mortgage and loan documents
- Property deeds
- Car title and registration
- Marriage license
- Will and other legal documents
- The previous year’s tax return
- Bank and brokerage account numbers
- An inventory or photos of your home for insurance claims
If assembling a kit feels overwhelming, here are some practical ways to get started without spending a lot of money or time:
- Not everything has to be purchased—take inventory of what you already have at home, such as canned goods or pantry staples.
- Shop at discount stores for affordable, functional items like flashlights and batteries.
- Spread the cost over time: commit to buying a couple of items each month until the kit is complete.
- Involve your children in building the kit. Let them choose comfort items and teach them why each item matters.
- Kits don’t require much space. Store them in an accessible area indoors—not in an outbuilding—and prioritize what you can reasonably fit.
- Camping and outdoor stores often carry useful items that double for emergency supplies.
- If time is the main barrier, consider purchasing a preassembled kit from a reputable source.
Keep your kit up to date. Check it at least once a year—Daylight Saving Time is a handy reminder—and replace expired food, medicines, and batteries. Also update clothing and any items that no longer fit household members.
#2. Make a Plan – Creating a household emergency plan is quick, inexpensive, and essential. A simple written plan ensures everyone knows what to do and where to meet if disaster strikes. Key elements include:
- Phone numbers for all household members, including home, cell, and work numbers.
- An out-of-town emergency contact that everyone calls to check in—local networks can be congested during a disaster, but long-distance lines may still work.
- Prefer texting when possible: texts often go through when calls won’t, and phones will retry sending until successful.
- A predetermined meeting location outside your immediate area—such as a school, church, or shopping center—if you can’t return home.
If you prefer a template, Ready.gov offers printable plan forms to guide your family through the details.
#3. Stay Informed – Staying informed means knowing how to access reliable, timely information during an emergency. Identify local sources for weather updates, evacuation notices, and shelter locations. Examples include county emergency broadcasts, local AM radio stations, and official emergency management alerts. A battery-operated radio or a NOAA weather radio is valuable if power and cell service are unreliable.
Finally, thank you to Amanda and Michelle for sharing their expertise. Their practical advice is a helpful reminder to assess supplies, create a simple plan, and stay connected to reliable information sources.
P.S. For readers who asked about our neighbors whose house was damaged when a tree fell during Irene: they were able to move back in around Christmas after major repairs, including reconstruction of the roof frame and a remodel that combined two bedrooms into one master suite. It was a long process, but the result looks great and shows how recovery and improvements can follow a disaster.