September brings National Emergency Preparedness Month, making it an ideal time to review your safety plans for California’s unique disaster risks. The year 2022 saw about 1 in 5 California small businesses reporting losses from natural disasters. In the past five years alone, California has experienced nine separate billion-dollar climate disaster events, costing the state between $20-50 billion.
Natural disasters in California strike without warning, which makes emergency preparation crucial during this dedicated month. Wildfires, droughts, extreme heat, and floods are increasing in frequency, with each hazard consistently measuring above long-term averages since 2000. One-third of California has experienced multiple overlapping hazards over a 40-year period.
You can take practical steps right now – store a 3-day drinking water supply for each person (especially important during California’s drought conditions), ensure a family member learns first aid and CPR, and consider specific protections against wildfires and extreme heat. This piece will guide you to become emergency ready within 24 hours. The preparation culminates with National Preparedness Day on September 30th, a national day of action where you can test your emergency plans.
Understand the Risks Around You
Your area’s threats determine how you should prepare for emergencies. Natural hazards vary by region throughout the United States, and each geographical area has its own unique risk profile. The Midwest experiences frequent tornadoes and flooding. The West Coast deals with earthquakes, wildfires, and tsunamis. The Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions face severe winter storms, while coastal areas need hurricane preparation.
Reliable alert systems become vital once you know your regional risks. Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) send immediate notifications to your mobile device about imminent threats, AMBER alerts, and public safety messages. The WEA system has warned the public about dangerous situations almost 96,000 times since its launch in 2012.
FEMA’s free app provides immediate weather alerts for up to five locations nationwide. Your smartphone’s built-in emergency alert settings can be customized to match your priorities.
Disasters can strike anywhere without warning. Staying informed about potential hazards helps you make better decisions when critical moments arise. Understanding local risks and setting up reliable notification systems will help protect you and your family during September preparedness month and beyond.
Create a 24-Hour Emergency Plan
Your family’s emergency readiness strategy needs a solid communication plan, especially during national emergency preparedness month. A single day spent creating this plan could save lives in a crisis. You’ll need two meeting spots – one just outside your house for immediate threats like fires, and another beyond your neighborhood when you can’t make it back home.
Local phone lines often get jammed during emergencies, so pick an out-of-area contact who can relay messages. Everyone should keep these contact details on paper and in their phones. Text messages work better than calls at the time networks get overwhelmed, since they use less bandwidth.
Map out your escape routes ahead of time to places you can count on – maybe a friend’s place, a hotel, or an official shelter. Think over what each family member needs. This includes older relatives, people with disabilities, kids, and pets. Note that your pets need to evacuate with you when staying home becomes unsafe.
Your family should practice leaving home twice yearly with emergency supplies ready. Parents must keep schools and daycares updated with emergency contacts. A buddy system with neighbors or relatives helps ensure everyone gets out safely if you need assistance.
Build Your Emergency Kit Today
Your emergency kit serves as the life-blood of National Emergency Preparedness Month. The right supplies help you become self-sufficient during critical hours when disaster strikes.
A good starting point is water – one gallon per person daily for at least three days. Your home preparedness should include a two-week supply. Stock up on non-perishable food items that need no cooking. Make sure to pack a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, flashlight, extra batteries, and a first aid kit.
Your essential documents need protection too. A waterproof container should hold copies of your insurance policies, identification, and medical information. On top of that, it’s smart to keep cash in small bills since ATMs might not work during power outages.
Your family’s unique needs matter. People with disabilities should pack extra batteries for adaptive equipment and medications lasting at least a week. Pet owners need supplies for their animal companions – food, water, medications, and comfort items.
Different situations call for different kits. Beyond your home kit, you’ll need one at work to last 24 hours and another in your car in case you get stranded.
Your kit’s maintenance plays a vital role. Check everything twice yearly, swap out expired items and adjust based on your family’s changing needs. Cool, dry places work best for storing these easy-to-carry containers.
National Preparedness Month reminds us that disaster readiness isn’t optional—it’s essential. Getting prepared doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Small steps you take today can improve your family’s safety by a lot tomorrow. The 24-hour approach makes emergency readiness possible for everyone, whatever their time or resources. Disasters don’t give much warning. The best time to prepare isn’t after warnings show up but during quiet times like now. Knowing you’ve taken real steps to protect yourself and your loved ones brings peace of mind that’s maybe even the best part of being prepared.
