Have A Disaster Preparation Plan

Natural disasters seem to be striking at an alarmingly high rate, with events like tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, and fires causing devastation to people in the United States and around the world. Since natural disasters can be hard to predict–and often hit suddenly and forcefully–preparing for a natural disaster is smart. Unfortunately we have seen the devastation that recent hurricanes have created in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico as well as the destruction earthquakes in Mexico left behind.

With today’s weather technology we are better able to predict when bad weather will hit and forecast the projected path of a storm. Still, Mother Nature can hit with frightening force and many people may think that if they have managed through a previous storm, the next one will be the same. As the old adage states, “it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Here are some tips for natural disaster preparation:

Build a Kit – Create a Go Bag

Creating a go bag–or a bag that is ready to go when a disaster strikes–is a smart idea. Also called emergency kits, Ready.gov has a number of wise suggestions for what a go bag should include to help you and your loved ones stay safe. You can read the full list online, but the general idea is to have a kit that contains basic emergency supplies like water, food, first aid kit, flashlight, cash, extra prescription medications, and sleeping bags/blankets.

Form an Emergency Meet Up Location and Communication Plan

It is very possible that if a disaster strikes, your family may be in different locations, rather than all in the exact same room at the moment the natural disaster hits. As such, forming an emergency meet up location and communication plan is necessary. For example, if a flood strikes and communication lines are down, the plan could be to meet at a relative or friend’s house that lives in a nearby town. Well-known landmarks, such as your kids’ school or your favorite park, also serve as great meetup areas.

Stock Up on the Basics

In addition to your emergency supply kit, which should be able to fit in your car and be mobile, you should also stock up on the basics in the event that you are stuck in your home for an extended amount of time, stores are closed, or water lines are down. This includes plenty of bottled water, and canned and other nonperishable food. You should also make sure that your car always has a full tank of gas, as you never know when you may have to evacuate quickly.

At the law offices of Napoli Shkolnik PLLC, our attorneys hope that you never have to worry about a natural disaster. Just in case, though, we urge you to follow the tips above.

We have all seen the destruction that has been in the left of the recent hurricanes and other natural disasters. As individuals and a firm, we continue to support relief efforts through American Red Cross donations.