Emergency and Disaster Preparedness
Visit Ready.gov to learn the steps to prepare for and deal with natural disasters and national emergencies. This includes important advice for:
Preparing for hurricanes. Also, see Preparing for Hurricanes During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Evacuating from a wildfire, and more
Create an Emergency Plan
Before a disaster strikes, learn how to make a plan, including building an emergency kit with basic survival items.
Making a family emergency plan - Learn how to find shelter, plan an evacuation route, and maintain contact with family members.
Making your own emergency kit - Find out which supplies and important items you should pack when building your own emergency survival kit. Include cloth face masks, soap, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes to protect against COVID-19.
Going to a shelter during the coronavirus pandemic - Learn how to stay safe in an emergency shelter during the coronavirus pandemic.
Preparing medications and medical supplies - Get information about preparing medications in the event of a disaster.
Preparing for a disaster if you have a disability - Get information about staying safe during an emergency if you have a disability. Find out about managing benefits electronically and how to build an emergency kit that meets your individual needs.
Getting financially prepared for a disaster - Gather important financial information and keep an emergency savings account. Be sure to keep your medical records safe and also make sure your insurance needs are covered.
Making a pet emergency plan - Learn how to get your pet ready, build a kit with basic survival items, and more.
Creating a business emergency plan - Get tips for preparing your organization for hazards. Learn about identifying risks to your business and how to stay safe from various types of disasters.
Get Weather and Emergency Alerts
Find tools and information to help get your home, family, and business ready to deal with disasters and emergencies.
Get emergency information from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s FEMA mobile app. You can get weather warnings for up to five locations plus disaster, aid, and shelter information.
Sign up for National Weather Service alerts to receive SMS text and email alerts. You can also see their suggested weather apps to stay informed.
Receive automatic emergency alerts on your smartphone. These alerts from the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) public safety system are for severe weather and disasters. They also include alerts for national emergencies.
- Find government information and services to help you or a family member deal with a disaster or crisis while traveling or living outside the U.S.