Natural Disaster Preparedness
Natural disasters happen every day. Depending on the part of the world you live in, your region may be more prone to certain natural disasters than others. Learn how to prepare and survive a natural disaster.
Natural disasters are hazards of earth and sky, from storms and floods to earthquakes and drought, that can cut power, water and roads. Your region shapes which ones you face, so natural disaster preparedness starts with knowing your local risks. These guides help families plan for before, during and after the event.
The Primary Types of Natural Disasters
- Heatwaves: Long stretches of extreme heat strain bodies, power grids and water supplies.
- Drought: A slow shortage of rain calls for drought preparedness well before the taps run low.
- Floods: Rising water comes from rivers, storms and snowmelt.
- Earthquakes: Learn how to prepare for an earthquake, which cities are most at risk of earthquakes, where US earthquake risk runs high, and how to handle the earthquake aftermath.
- Thunderstorms: Lightning, hail and high winds can arrive in minutes.
- Wildfires: Fast-moving fires can force a quick evacuation.
- Winter Storms: Snow, ice and extreme cold can keep you home for days.
- Volcanoes: Eruptions bring ash and lava, so meet the active volcanoes in the US.
- Tsunamis: Build your tsunami preparedness plan, then learn to return home safely in the tsunami aftermath.
- Landslides: Know the mudslide risk areas, how to prevent mudslides around your home, what to do during a mudslide, and the recovery steps for the mudslide aftermath.
- Tornadoes: Learn how to prepare for a tornado and what to expect in the tornado aftermath.
- Hurricanes: Learn how to prepare for a hurricane, what surviving a hurricane takes, and lessons from the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season.
Keep an eye on the sky too, with the rare meteor shower of November 2019, and learn the SHTF meaning preppers use when any disaster turns serious.
Australia Brush Fires
January 8, 2020
Australia is reeling from continent wide brush fires. The fires have been continuous since September 2019. Australia’s southeast coast has been hit the hardest, but nearly all of the island has been ravished by wildfires; some set accidentally and others deliberately. Over 20 million acres across the country have burned so far, and there are still months to go in this 2019-2020 fire season.
Places at Risk of Tornadoes
August 20, 2022
Tornadoes are among the most violent and most powerful natural disasters. They appear as an incredibly fast, rotating column of air that assumes a funnel shape. What makes them dangerous and potentially destructive is the high-speed wind that travels with them. Tornadoes can hit nearly anywhere in the country, but their sting is felt the most in the Midwest and southern states.
