Disasters can strike at any moment, with little notice. In order to protect your home and family, it is important to be prepared.

Habitat Ready helps households make a family preparedness plan, put together a supply kit and be ready to respond to common hazards in their community. 

Find out your community’s unique risks using our Natural Hazard Explorer, and learn how to strengthen your financial preparedness for disasters and emergencies with FEMA’s Emergency Financial First Aid Kit.

For questions about Habitat’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Response program, email us at [email protected].

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Disaster preparedness for your household

Disaster supply kit

A disaster supply kit includes items your family might need to survive in the event of a disaster. You can purchase a pre-assembled emergency supply kit or create your own.

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Family communications plan

When a disaster strikes, your family might not be together, and communication channels might be down. It is important to plan how you will contact one another and discuss how you will communicate in different disaster situations.

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Family evacuation plan

Because you might not have much time to evacuate when a disaster strikes, it is important to have a plan in place to get your family out of danger quickly and efficiently.

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Preparing pets for disaster

Pets are often considered members of the family, so it is important to take their needs and safety into consideration when preparing for a disaster.

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Preparing for disasters and hazards in your community: before, during and after

Floods and flash floods

Some floods develop slowly, while others develop in just minutes. Being prepared and taking mitigation measures, such as building away from floodplains and elevating homes, can reduce the risk of damage and injuries in a flood.

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Wildfires

As more people are building their homes in woodland settings, wildfires have become increasingly dangerous. In order to protect your family, home and property, it is important to prepare before a wildfire strikes.

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Tornadoes

Tornadoes are earth’s most violent storms and often form quickly, leaving little time to make life-or-death decisions. To survive a tornado, advanced planning and a quick response are essential.

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Landslides and debris flows

Landslides and debris flows are caused by a number of factors, such as earthquakes, heavy rain, volcanic eruptions and poor land management. Because landslides and debris flows occur quickly and with little notice, it is essential to be prepared.

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Thunderstorms

Thunderstorms can cause dangerous lightning, large hail, flash flooding, tornadoes and strong winds. They often develop quickly and with little warning, so it’s important to learn the danger signs and plan ahead.

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Earthquakes

Earthquakes strike suddenly, violently and without warning, but identifying potential hazards and planning can reduce the threat of damage, injuries and loss of life.

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Winter weather

From extreme cold to ice storms to blizzards, winter weather can knock out heat, power, communications and transportation networks, and can immobilize entire regions. In order to protect your home and family, it is important to be prepared before winter weather strikes.

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Volcanic eruptions

Volcanic eruptions may be subtle or explosive and can produce dangerous lava flows, poisonous gases, and flying rocks and ash. Many volcanic eruptions are also accompanied by other natural hazards. If you live near a volcano, active or dormant, be prepared to act on short notice.

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Tsunamis

A tsunami is a series of large ocean waves created by major earthquakes, underwater volcanic activity or landslides into the ocean. It may take a tsunami hours or mere minutes to reach shore, so it is important to be well-prepared and know how to respond quickly and effectively.

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