Step 2 - Evaluating Your Emergency Preparedness Needs

The first step in preparing for a home emergency or natural disaster is deciding what your specific needs will be for you to be safe and somewhat comfortable, whether or not you choose to stay at home or need to evacuate to other location.

Please begin by asking  yourself the following questions....

If there were a natural disaster such as a flood, hurricane, tornado, earthquake, wild fire or a house fire and you had to evacuate your surroundings quickly and seek refuge at a shelter, hotel, friend or relatives house . . . OR . . . you need to shelter-in at home . . .

• Do you have the basic and "special needs" supplies you would need for TWO to FIVE days without outside help?

• What special supplies will you need for your unique conditions?

• Are supplies readily available for home use or evacuation?           

• Can you use and transport your necessary supplies alone, or would you need assistance?

• If you must evacuate, have you designated someone to provide any required assistance?

• Have you located a specific destination for emergency use?

• Do you have an evacuation plan written up & have you tried it out?

What disasters may occur in your area?

House Fires: Occur everywhere, many people are killed or injured by house fires

Earthquakes: (Western States) Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Oregon 

Hurricanes: (East Coast & Gulf of Mexico) Florida, Texas, N. Carolina, Louisiana, S, Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts

Tornados: Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, S. Dakota, Louisiana

Write your answers down and list the specific needs.

Step 3 Planning

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