Disaster Preparedness Plan And Checklist

Natural disasters are a devastating reality. Since 1980, climate disasters have cost over $1.875 trillion, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and changed the lives of millions. In the worst case, these catastrophic events can cause injury, displacement, loss and PTSD, making it essential to create an emergency plan for the home to minimize its effects.

While some risks are worth taking, being ill-prepared in the face of destruction is not one. Consider the following resources before, during and after an emergency event.

Table of Contents:

• Home Emergency Preparedness Basics
• Natural Disaster Survival Preparedness Checklist
• Building A Disaster-Specific Emergency Kit For Home
• What To Do After A Natural Disaster
• Additional Resources

A natural disaster can destroy years of hard work on your family home purchase in a few short minutes. Preparing for the unexpected can help minimize destruction and devastation.

In preparation for a natural disaster, it’s important to understand how life can be affected immediately after. Consider the following when creating a disaster preparedness plan:

• Utilities may not work and access to water, electricity and communication may be sparse.
• The time to prepare preceding the disaster may vary from hours to days and even minutes or seconds in the case of an earthquake.
• Danger can persist after one large catastrophic event in the form of aftershock, debris or floods.

Preparing for natural disasters can reduce health and environmental risks. Consider the most likely hazard in your area, the line of communication for warnings, insurance coverage and evacuation areas.

1. Prepare an emergency kit: You may not be able to contact emergency services right away. Ensure your home emergency kit is stocked with enough supplies for each member of your household for at least 3 days, remembering to provide proper accommodations for your pets.

1. Set a plan: Set an emergency plan with the entire household. Include information for evacuation areas, shelter, means of communication and an emergency contact in a different geographic area.

1. Understand emergency alerts: First, understand the types of disasters that your area is prone to. Know how you will be informed in the event of an emergency before, during and after the disaster.

1. Check your insurance coverage: Homeowners insurance typically covers theft and damage caused by people, but it generally won’t cover natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes or wildfires. Reach out to your insurance agent and find out what your policy covers. If you’re preparing to file a claim in the aftermath of a disaster, know your deductible and document damage how your insurance company has outlined.

Step one in creating an effective home emergency kit is its storage. You need a large, watertight container that will keep the natural elements out of your emergency supplies. Regularly check your supply levels and expiration dates and re-stock as needed. As a general rule, keep enough food, water and supplies for each person in your household for at least 3 days.

Base survival kit:

• Water (1 gallon per person, daily)
• Nonperishable food
• Plastic sheeting
• Blankets
• First-aid kit
• Prescription medications
• Hand sanitizer and wipes
• Multi-tool
• Flashlight
• Flares or whistle
• Extra batteries
• Battery-powered radio
• Local maps
• Cell phone and battery-powered charger
• Copies of important documents

Earthquake Survival Kit

Most earthquakes occur in three regions around the world including the circum-Pacific seismic belt along the Pacific Ocean, the Alpide earthquake belt which lines the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Himalayas, and the mid-Atlantic Ridge. If you live in an earthquake-prone region, add the following items to your survival kit and consider getting earthquake insurance.

• Mask
• Goggles
• Work gloves
• Duct tape

Hurricane Emergency Kit

Regions most prone to hurricanes are along the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico and the North Pacific Ocean. Consider the aftermath of hurricanes, which can include floods, storm surge and high surf for days and weeks after the main event when preparing your emergency kit.

• Life jackets
• Water filter
• Glow sticks
• Sunscreen

Tornado Survival Kits

Tornados are the result of opposing winds and drafts colliding, most often occurring in the central United States. These disasters can reach up to 300 miles per hour, and it’s important to be secured in a reinforced building or proper shelter in the event of a tornado warning.

• Underground shelter
• Plywood, steel or aluminum
• Duct tape

Fire Emergency Kit

Wildfires can happen anywhere. Oftentimes, they occur in climates without moisture and where the vegetation is susceptible to catching. Most frequently, these disasters are caused by lightning or human error.

• Full coverage goggles
• Respirator
• Long-sleeved shirts and pants
• Mask

Post-natural disaster, the most important consideration is safety and well-being. When things have stabilized and events of the emergency have subsided, cleanup can begin in the community. When it’s time to rebuild, consider the help you can provide to your neighbors, your insurance coverage and what your options are for alternative financial assistance.

Secure Your Belongings

Identity theft is common during natural disasters, and it’s vital to protect your personal information immediately after an emergency. First, get in touch with creditors and report any lost credit cards. Next, destroy documentation with personal information found during cleanup in your community so identity thieves can’t use it for their own purposes. Consider placing a 3-month fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus – Equifax^®, Experian™ and TransUnion^®.

Document The Damage

Before making any repairs, document and record the full extent of the damage. Take pictures, including photos of debris. You’ll need this during the settlement process with the insurance company for an accurate replacement value.

Make A Homeowners Claim

If you plan on using your homeowners insurance to cover the cost of repairs, first understand your coverage. If you don’t know the exact terms, request a copy of your policy. You’ll always be responsible for paying your deductible. Your mortgage lender may have to schedule inspections to make sure that your home is being restored to a similar condition prior to the damage so major investors can protect their investments. Depending on the scope of the claim, repairs may be done in stages, with your home insurer issuing checks incrementally for the work rather than the full amount. In this case, multiple inspections would be set up by your lender. 

Damage Prevention

Don’t begin making permanent repairs until an insurance adjuster has seen your property to evaluate the damage. You’re responsible for taking measures to mitigate further damage being done before the repair is completed. This can include removing drywall and carpet to prevent the spread of mold, boarding up openings on the property and installing fencing to protect belongings and bystander injuries. Document your cost for all temporary repairs. Your insurance company may reimburse you.

• Federal assistance programs: These programs can include housing, farm flooding, disaster-related unemployment and, in some cases, tax relief.
• American Red Cross: The Red Cross provides assistance with food, shelter, medical care and recovery plans on a temporary basis during disasters. The organization also helps with recovery plans.
• Small Business Administration (SBA): The SBA offers low-interest disaster relief loans for businesses of any size, nonprofits and homeowners. They can be used to replace real estate, personal property, machinery and equipment, and inventory or business assets.

• National Weather Service