Disasters are unpredictable. But your family can prepare and plan together for disasters, reducing the stress and danger they may bring.
Families with disaster preparedness plans and readiness kits can better respond to all disasters. Ideally, your disaster plan should be unique to your family's needs.
Depending on
where you live, for example, you may be at higher risk for certain types of natural disasters such as wildfires, tornadoes or hurricanes. Where you live might also impact evacuation routes. If your area floods regularly, for example, you may need to be aware of some roads that are closed more often.
Most common natural disaster risks in your area
Natural disasters, such as extreme weather events, are the most common. Basic preparation will help you in any type of disaster, but it helps to know how to be ready for specific ones more likely to affect your family.
Natural disaster resources by region and type
Check
this interactive map from the American Red Cross to learn which types of natural disasters are the most common in the state or region where you live.
Learn about some of the specific types of disasters that are more likely to affect your family so you can prepare for them at Ready.gov:
- Wildfires can burn in natural areas like forests, grasslands or prairies and spread quickly to communities.
- Floods, the most common disaster in the U.S., can develop slowly or quickly (flash floods) from storms and overflows of dams and other water systems.
- Tornadoes can happen anywhere. When violently rotating wind funnels touch ground, they can tear apart buildings, flip cars and create dangerous flying debris.
- Severe storms & winter weather. Severe weather and the hazardous conditions it causes can happen in any part of the United States.
- Hurricanes can bring damaging wind, rip currents and storm surges (rises in water level), a leading cause of U.S. hurricane-related deaths.
- Tsunamis, series of massive waves, can be caused by underwater landslides, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
- Earthquakes. While earthquakes can happen anywhere without warning, certain areas at higher risk.
- Volcanic eruptions can cause fast-flowing lava and debris and widespread volcanic ash. There are more than 160 potentially active U.S. volcanoes.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also has tips to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters specific to your location. This includes current disasters.
Other disasters that impact communities
In addition to natural disasters, there are many other events that may require that you and your family to evacuate or shelter in place. Sadly, sudden acts of violence can occur, such as a shooting in a large crowd or other terrorist acts, for example. Other examples of disasters include public health emergencies like pandemics or hazardous chemical exposures such as a chemical plant fire, freight train derailment or explosion.
Some of the same plans to keep your family safe in natural disasters can be used for other events, too.
Remember
As a parent and family member your concern is for the safety of your children and your family. We all look for ways to provide a healthy, safe and secure world for our loved ones. There may be times when we must call on special resources to make sure our families are protected. A disaster is one of those times.
More information