Emergency preparedness: What to do before, during, and after a disaster
When disaster strikes, time is limited and conditions can change rapidly. Roads may close, supplies may vanish from store shelves, and your home may become unsafe—or even uninhabitable. Preparing in advance is critical. This guide covers what to expect, how to prepare, and what to do before, during, and after an emergency to protect yourself and your loved ones.
What to Expect During a Disaster
Evacuations May Happen Quickly
If authorities order an evacuation, you may have only minutes to secure your property and leave. Having a go-bag and a plan in place ensures a smoother, safer departure.
Stores Will Be Overwhelmed or Closed
During disasters, panic-buying or looting can leave supermarket shelves empty. Don’t rely on last-minute shopping. Your emergency supplies should already be stocked.
Roads May Become Impassable
Floods, fires, and debris can block escape routes. If you can’t leave, you need to be prepared to shelter in place with enough food, water, and medical supplies.
Your Home May Be Destroyed or Unsafe
Floods, fires, and earthquakes can render your home uninhabitable. Keep emergency supplies in an accessible and portable location in case you need to relocate.
You Could Be Trapped Inside
Earthquakes and other events can cause rapid structural collapses. Keep essentials—like a charged phone—within reach at all times.
Looting and Security Threats May Arise
If a disaster lasts more than a few days, property crime may increase. Consider security measures to protect your home, and always have a secondary escape route planned.
How to Prepare: Risk Assessment First
Start by assessing the risks most relevant to your location:
Urban dwellers may be affected by water shortages, looting, and infrastructure collapse.
Remote or rural areas may face isolation, road closures, or lack of access to emergency services.
Mountainous or flood-prone regions face unique risks, even if your home itself is not in a flood zone.
Identify the most likely disasters you could face and prioritize preparation accordingly.
Your Emergency Kit: What to Include
A well-stocked emergency kit is essential for survival. Focus on four core areas:
1. Medical Care
Disasters often result in injuries. Your first aid kit should include:
Assorted bandages and sterile gauze
Triangular and rolled bandages
Disposable gloves, tweezers, scissors, safety pins
Rubbing alcohol, cleansing wipes, antiseptic creams
Painkillers (acetaminophen, ibuprofen), cough medicine, antihistamines
Eye wash, thermometer, distilled water
First aid manual
Regularly check and rotate medications to keep them within expiry.
2. Water
Store at least 3 days’ worth of drinking water per person (more during hot weather).
Also keep:
A rainwater collection system (e.g. tank or buckets)
A method for boiling and filtering water (boiling kills bacteria; filters remove heavy metals and toxins)
3. Food
Aim for 2,500 calories per person per day. Stock shelf-stable, nutritious, and familiar foods.
Recommended items:
A variety of canned meats and vegetables
Beans, rice, oatmeal, crackers, granola
Peanut butter, nuts, dried fruit
Powdered or UHT milk
Sports drinks (low sugar) and 100% fruit juice
Shelf-stable condiments
Disposable utensils and manual can opener
Meal tips:
Eat perishables first (fresh, refrigerated, then frozen)
Save emergency food for last
Store food your family actually likes to avoid food fatigue
Rotate food quarterly and check expiration dates
4. Cooking, Power & Sanitation
Alternative cooking methods:
Portable gas stove, BBQ (with safe fuel storage)
Charcoal or wood-burning options (with fire starters)
Power backups:
3500W generator (to run essentials for a few hours a day)
Car power block for mobile charging
Hygiene & dishwashing:
Disposable plates and cutlery reduce water usage
Plan for safe garbage disposal to avoid vermin
Water filtration:
Use a Brita or Berkey-style filter after boiling water
During the Emergency
Conserve food and water—eat high-calorie meals at night when the body can recover best
Use perishables first and minimize waste
Keep devices charged, especially communication tools
Stay informed via radio or emergency alerts
After the Emergency
Reassess your stockpile: what worked, what didn’t?
Replace anything used, expired, or disliked
Add items you wished you had
Review and update your emergency plan
Final Thoughts
Preparedness isn't about fear—it's about peace of mind. When you take the time to understand your risks and build a thoughtful emergency kit, you're investing in your family's safety and resilience.
Visit our other ReadyPack Guides for detailed resources on get-home bags, power outage planning, and disaster-specific checklists.
