How to Prepare for 8 Types of Disasters

The unpredictable nature of disasters such as hurricanes, fires, explosions, and floods is stressful, if not downright scary. That's why having an action plan in place is so crucial.

“The ability to prepare leads to a greater chance of mitigating the impact of these disasters,” says Brittany Haupt, PhD, an assistant professor in the Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Program at the Virginia Commonwealth University Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs in Richmond. Preparation also increases the likelihood of the best possible response and recovery. “The ultimate goal is to enhance the resilience of our communities,” Dr. Haupt says.

Here's what emergency preparedness experts say you should do in specific types of disasters.

The vast majority of injuries in an earthquake happen when people try to run during the shaking and get hit by debris or fall down, Cotter says.

Cotter suggests practicing this routine — drop, cover, and hold on — with your family so it becomes second nature. Check out Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills for more ideas on how to prepare for an earthquake with your family.

The Earthquake Country Alliance, a partnership of organizations and alliances focused on earthquake preparedness, offers advice on stocking an “under-bed bag” and a “go bag.” For example, the former may include shoes in a closed bag under the bed, to protect them (and your feet) from broken glass, while the latter would ideally contain enough supplies for three days in case of evacuation.

In the case of a hurricane, if you’re going to leave, leave early, Burdiss says. When a hurricane is approaching, the people in its direct path are often all heading the opposite direction, which means the traffic to get out of town can be extreme. Make sure you have enough fuel in your tank, he says, and get as much of a head start as you can.

Cotter stresses that it’s crucial to heed all government warnings during and in advance of a hurricane, especially evacuation guidance.

Responding to an explosion is tricky when you don’t know its cause, Burdiss says. It’s best to assume there will be a secondary threat or hazard in the aftermath. For example, if a meth lab exploded, hazardous materials could be released. But a natural gas leak explosion can create more threats, such as broken glass. First responders will assess these secondary risks, Burdiss says, so follow their guidance.

If you need to evacuate, he advises grabbing your emergency kit, along with important paperwork (like identification documents) and cash, and using your communication plan to inform your friends and family of your destination.

Explosions are relatively uncommon in the United States, Cotter says; when they do happen, they’re often caused by gas leaks. If you detect the smell of gas, leave home immediately and call 911 and your natural gas provider.

Cotter keeps combination gas and carbon monoxide detectors near his gas oven range and gas washer and dryer, which will alert him if there are any leaks he might not smell immediately. Check the batteries regularly, he advises.

People often run to the bathroom when their home is on fire because they think its water supply will be helpful, says Wayne Struble, the director of emergency preparedness for the Florida-based hospital system Health First. But actually, it’s common to get trapped inside there and not make it out. “You’re better off going to a window,” he says, and making sure you close every door as you move throughout the space — it will help the fire take longer to reach you. If your window is aboveground, you need a means to climb down, like a collapsible ladder.

There are some “neat new gadgets” for better fire evacuation, Cotter says. Some detectors include a guiding voice and an audible alarm; that voice can help you and your family take faster action without needing to determine what a plain alarm noise might mean, he says.

Cotter suggests practicing fire drills regularly. Ensure that all family members know to leave the house immediately without pausing to collect belongings, and be sure to have an agreed-upon common meeting point, he says.

Of course, preventing a fire is better than having to respond to one. FEMA offers safety tips for cooking and when using portable space heaters, fireplaces, and wood stoves.

Preparing for a flood is similar to preparing for other emergencies, with one critical difference, Cotter says: flood insurance. Many common home and rental insurance policies do not cover flood damage, so check whether your plan has an exclusion. FEMA maintains flood maps nationwide, so you can see if your home has a high flood risk.

As with a hurricane, follow all evacuation guidance from local officials and have a plan for a safe destination, along with several days of supplies.

Struble adds that, during a flood, it’s best to seek refuge on a high floor, ideally near a window. Try to bring some water and food in case you need it, he says. If you live in a one-story home, he suggests stacking mattresses on top of a dining room table, which offers extra elevation in the event of water rushing inside. But be careful about going inside an attic, says Struble: You may find that you don’t have a way back out.

Stay at home and shelter in place, Struble says. Keep your windows and doors closed, and “don’t be nosy, trying to go outside and see what’s going on.” Doing so could endanger you, he notes. Turn on the news and listen for guidance from officials on what’s safe to do and when.

Burdiss says that in the event of a terrorist attack, it’s particularly important to avoid crowds. That’s his “stock advice to family and friends.”

The Red Cross has compiled a terrorism safety checklist you can download, with details on preparing for the unexpected and how to shelter in place.

Tornado alerts come in two forms: watches and warnings. Know the difference between the two, Cotter says. “A tornado watch means that conditions are favorable for severe weather like tornadoes, while a warning means that a tornado formation is likely or has already formed.”

During a watch alert, review your shelter plan. If it's a warning, take shelter immediately. Always head for the lowest floor of your house — never go upstairs, Struble says. Many homes in Florida, where he lives, don’t have basements, so opt for an interior room with no windows. Bathrooms are a good choice, because if the house collapses, the sinks, shower, and toilet might create space for you to hide in, Struble says. And always keep a battery-powered radio with you to stay informed on official guidance. FEMA suggests tuning in to NOAA Weather Radio.

Here’s what you can do to prepare for any type of disaster.

Hold a Family Meeting

First, identify the hazards specific to where you live, Haupt says. Then, hold a family meeting to discuss specific needs. Some factors to consider:

• What responsibilities will each family member have?
• Does anyone in the family have specific dietary or medical needs?
• Does anyone in the family have any access or functional needs, like wheelchairs or hearing aids?
• Do you have any pets to include in the plan?
• What property-specific aspects are important to keep in mind? For example, are there utilities to turn off or windows to board up?
• Who do you need to contact when a disaster strikes? For instance, are there loved ones who will want to know how you are? Do you need to contact any doctors or nonprofits that assist during disasters?

Make a Family Emergency Plan

“Having a plan is absolutely essential,” says Tom Cotter, MPH, the director of emergency preparedness and response with Project HOPE, a global health and humanitarian relief organization. “No amount of gadgetry, supplies, or equipment can take the place of a solid, well-thought-out plan.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Ready program provides free templates to help your family create a plan.

Cotter says good plans include steps for:

• What to do if communication is down (for example, establish a meeting point)
• Electrical backups
• Location information for reliable hospitals
• Contact information for trusted family, friends, and hospitals
• Evacuation routes and destinations

Cotter points out that plans are only useful if they’re followed, so it’s important to ensure that all family members “know the plan inside and out.”

Assemble an Emergency Kit

Put together a kit of emergency supplies and keep it in an easy-to-access location, Haupt says. She suggests including the following basic supplies.

• Clothing
• Nonperishable foods (canned, jarred, and boxed) and water
• Medical supplies, such as sufficient medication
• Pet supplies
• Battery-powered radio and extra batteries
• Flashlights
• Important family documents
• First-aid kit
• Tool kit
• Activities like playing cards or board games to occupy children

Marc Burdiss, the president of Preparedness Solutions, suggests making sure you always have:

• Extra medicine in case there’s a shortage or the pharmacy closes
• Cash, in case ATMs are unavailable because of power failure or network outage
• A tank of gasoline at home in a shed
• A generator (if possible)

“Those things can make all the difference between suffering and just being inconvenienced,” he says.

• Advance preparation for potential disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods, makes it more likely you will stay safe in these emergencies.
• Experts suggest sitting down with the members of your household and making a plan that includes a meeting point and a list of important contacts.
• Assemble emergency supplies, such as a first-aid kit, nonperishable foods, and extra gas for your car.
• Contact local authorities to stay aware of up-to-date warnings and evacuation orders.