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Be Ready for Any Disaster
How to Protect Your Family When Every Second Counts
Table of Contents
When Disaster Strikes, Every Moment Matters
Disasters can turn life upside down in an instant – but being prepared can be the difference between calm and chaos for you and your family.
This guide is intended to help you take practical steps to protect your loved ones. From creating a solid disaster plan to stocking the right supplies and staying connected, we’ll walk you through everything you need to be ready.
Whether it’s a hurricane, wildfire, or a sudden evacuation, preparation is the key to navigating the unexpected. Start today, and give yourself the confidence that comes with knowing you’ve done everything possible to keep your family safe.
Disasters Are Hitting Harder and More Often
Disasters in the United States are becoming more frequent, more intense, and far more damaging than ever before.
Just a few decades ago, we averaged about nine major weather and climate disasters each year. But in the last five years (2020-2024), that number has skyrocketed to 23 per year – more than double the previous average.
Between 1980 and 2024, the U.S. faced 403 documented weather and climate disasters that exceeded $1 billion in damage (in 2024 dollars).
Collectively, these events caused 16,918 fatalities and brought widespread economic impacts to affected regions. The numbers paint a clear picture: Disasters are hitting harder and more often. In fact, 2024 alone saw 27 billion-dollar disasters, including droughts, floods, tropical cyclones, wildfires, and winter storms.
While some events, like thunderstorms and heatwaves, can happen almost anywhere, others – such as hurricanes and earthquakes – tend to target specific regions. Regardless of where they strike, their increasing frequency and severity are something we can’t ignore.
Billion-Dollar Disasters, 1980-2024
203 SEVERE STORMS
67 TROPICAL CYCLONES
45 FLOODS
32 DROUGHTS
24 WINTER STORMS
23 WILDFIRES
9 FREEZES
THE BOTTOM LINE?
The risks of big disasters are climbing fast, and the need to prepare has never been greater. To protect your home, your family, and your future, it’s time to take these growing threats seriously.
Step 1: Create Your Disaster Plan
Let’s talk about disaster prep. Having a plan in place means your family will know exactly what to do when it counts. Start by figuring out the specific risks in your area – whether it’s earthquakes, wildfires, hurricanes, or something else – and build your plan around them.
Sit down with your family and talk through safe zones, escape routes, and who’s responsible for what in an emergency.
The key isn’t just writing the plan – it’s practicing it until everyone feels confident and ready. Preparation now can make all the difference when it really matters.
Write everything down and share it with everyone in your household. Keep a copy in an easily accessible place, and save a digital version in Trustworthy so it’s available even if you’re not home.
CHECKLIST: DISASTER PLAN
Check your credit scores and credit reports for accuracy
Pay down debts to improve your scores
Avoid opening new credit accounts before applying for a mortgage
Tip: Your credit scores affect your mortgage rate and loan approval chances. The higher your scores, the better your loan terms.
Discuss risks: Educate household members about the dangers of fire, severe weather, earthquakes, and other emergencies.
Identify safe spots: Find safe areas in your home for each type of disaster (e.g., basements for tornadoes, interior rooms for hurricanes).
Escape routes: Map out and practice multiple escape routes from your home and neighborhood.
Emergency numbers: Post emergency numbers near phones and save them in mobile contacts, including:
Nearest relatives and out-of-town emergency contacts
School contacts
Employer contacts
Family physicians
Poison control hotline
911: Teach children how and when to call.
Emergency alerts: Teach household members to listen to the radio or check emergency apps for information.
Assign responsibilities:
Plan for someone to pick up children or assist elderly and disabled family members.
Make arrangements for pet care during your absence.
Step 2: Stay Connected During a Disaster
Disasters can disrupt normal communication in an instant, which is why having a solid plan is so important. A clear communication strategy removes uncertainty and ensures everyone in your family can stay in touch, even when chaos unfolds.
Don’t stop at just your immediate family – choose an out-of-town contact and make sure everyone
knows how to reach them. It’s also a good idea to pick meeting spots both close to home and farther away, giving your family options if some areas aren’t accessible.
Being prepared now means staying connected later, no matter what happens.
CHECKLIST: DEVELOP A COMMUNICATION PLAN
Out-of-town contact: Designate a friend or relative outside the affected area as a central contact. Ensure all family members know this person’s phone number.
Two meeting places:
Near your home (e.g., a neighbor’s house).
Outside your neighborhood (e.g., a library or community center).
Ensure everyone knows the addresses, phone numbers, and which location to try first.
Child pickup authorization: Inform schools or daycare centers about authorized individuals who can pick up your children in your absence.
Step 3: Stock Up on Emergency Supplies
Emergency supplies aren’t just about survival – they’re about keeping your family safe, comfortable, and informed when things get tough.
Start by thinking about what you’ll need if you have to stay home for an extended period. Stock up on the essentials to shelter in place, and don’t forget to pack a “go” bag so you can leave quickly if the situation calls for it.
Store your supplies in an easy-to-reach spot, and check them regularly to keep everything up to date – like swapping out expired food or replacing dead batteries. Tailor your supplies to your family’s unique needs, whether that’s medications, pet essentials, or special dietary items.
It’s not just about having the big items, either. Small touches, like comfort items for kids or a favorite book, can go a long way in making an emergency feel less overwhelming. And make sure everyone in your household knows where the supplies are and how to use them.
A little planning now can bring peace of mind later, helping your family feel secure and prepared, no matter what comes your way.
CHECKLIST: PREPARE EMERGENCY SUPPLIES
At-Home Emergency Supplies
Stock enough supplies to last at least three days for your household. Store these items in a safe, accessible location. Include:
Water: One gallon per person per day (replace every six months).
Food: Nonperishable items and a manual can opener.
Clothing and bedding: Extra clothing, sturdy shoes, rain gear, blankets, or sleeping bags.
First aid kit: Include medications, medical supplies, and family members’ medical device information
Lighting and communication: Battery-powered AM/FM radio, flashlights, and extra batteries.
Tools and safety items:
Utility knife.
Whistle.
Fire extinguisher.
Hygiene supplies: Soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, and feminine hygiene products.
Documents: Keep copies of important documents (e.g., IDs, insurance policies, medical records) in a waterproof container and store digital versions in Trustworthy’s Family Operating System®.
Cash: At least $100-$200 in small bills.
Special-needs supplies: Items for infants, elderly, or disabled family members.
Comfort items: Games, books, or small toys for children to help reduce stress.
Disaster "Go Bag"
Pack a disaster go bag for each household member in case evacuation is necessary. Use a backpack or a suitcase on wheels for easy transport. Include:
Documents: Photo IDs, birth certificates, insurance cards, credit/debit cards, and regional maps. Store digital backups of these documents in Trustworthy’s Family Operating System®.
Prescription medications: At least one week’s supply.
Cash: At least $100-$200 for the family in small bills.
Food and water: Bottled water and portable, nonperishable snacks (e.g., granola bars).
Clothing and gear: Comfortable shoes, rain gear, and small blankets.
Hygiene supplies: Travel-sized toiletries, such as a toothbrush, soap, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, wipes, and feminine hygiene products.
Lighting and communication: Phone chargers, flashlights, extra batteries, and a small battery-powered radio.
First aid kit: Include basic first aid supplies.
Additional items: Notepads, pens, extra pairs of glasses, dust masks, plastic bags, and rain ponchos, glow sticks, and extra car and/or house keys.
For children: Child care supplies, games, books, or toys for comfort.
For pets:
Recent photo of you and your pet together.
ID, registration, and medical/vaccination records. Store digital backups of these documents with Trustworthy.
Food, water, dishes, leash, and pet first aid supplies.
Disaster "Go Bag"
Pack a disaster go bag for each household member in case evacuation is necessary. Use a backpack or a suitcase on wheels for easy transport. Include:
Cell phone charger.
$100 in small bills.
Change of clothes.
Prescription medications (at least one week’s supply).
Step 4: If You Need to Evacuate
Evacuation is more than grabbing your bag and heading out. It’s about being ready to leave safely and on short notice.
Understanding where to go and how to prepare your home beforehand – like securing utilities or alerting others of your plans – can be just as critical as having your essentials ready. With a clear evacuation plan, you’ll move with confidence rather than panic.
CHECKLIST: IF YOU NEED TO EVACUATE
Prescription medications: At least one week’s supply
Shelter locations: Listen to a battery-powered radio for emergency shelter information. Cell service may not be available.
Clothing: Wear protective, weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes.
Take your go bag: Ensure it’s easily accessible before leaving.
Secure your home: Lock doors and follow local officials’ evacuation instructions.
If you have time:
Shut off water, gas, and electricity, if instructed to do so.
Let others know when you left and where you were headed.
Step 5: Stay Informed
The right information at the right time can save lives. From real-time alerts to local broadcasts, staying informed ensures you’re making the best decisions for your family.
Equip yourself with trusted apps and news sources, and stay vigilant for updates. Knowledge is one of the most powerful tools you can have in a disaster.
CHECKLIST: STAY INFORMED
Sign up for alerts: Subscribe to emergency alert systems (e.g., FEMA, Red Cross, local government apps).
Monitor updates: Follow trusted news sources and local broadcasts for the latest information.
Install apps: Use emergency apps on your phone for real-time notifications.
Step 6: Do Regular Maintenance and Drills
Preparedness isn’t a one-time effort. Regularly revisiting your plans and supplies ensures you’re always ready.
Drills help turn your strategy into muscle memory, making it easier to act under stress. Updating emergency kits and plans as your family’s needs evolve keeps you one step ahead of potential challenges.
The time you invest now can make all the difference later.
CHECKLIST: DO REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND DRILLS
Update your plan: Review and revise your emergency plan every six months.
Conduct drills: Practice evacuation and shelter-in-place scenarios twice a year with your household.
Check supplies: Rotate food, water, and batteries, and ensure prescriptions are up to date.