Be Ready: Essential Tips for Storm and Disaster Preparedness

September is National Preparedness Month, but the reality is that being ready for emergencies should be part of everyday life. At Panhandle Search and Rescue, we’re committed to raising awareness about the importance of disaster preparation—not just this month, but year-round. Communities, especially those at greater risk from hurricanes, floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and even severe snow and ice storms, need to take every step possible to protect themselves and their loved ones.

The right supplies and plans don’t just help you survive a disaster—they help you recover more quickly afterward. Trusted resources like FEMA.gov and Ready.gov offer step-by-step guides and valuable information to help you prepare for and respond to emergencies. While each type of disaster comes with its own unique challenges, we’ve created a general checklist below that covers the essentials and gives you a strong starting point for staying ready.

CREATE A FAMILY PLAN

Make sure everyone in your household knows exactly what to do when an emergency alert comes in. Have a plan in place for both sheltering at home and for evacuating if you need to leave quickly.

EMERGENCY ALERTS

Sign up for emergency alerts—both national and local. Your city or county often provides updates on storms, shelters, evacuations, and available resources during severe weather. NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) is another reliable source, broadcasting daily forecasts and storm warnings through local radio stations. For more details on alert systems, Ready.gov is a great place to start.

FIRST AID KIT

Keep a fully stocked first aid kit within easy reach. It should include items to handle cuts, scrapes, sprains, insect bites, and other minor injuries that can happen during an emergency. Make sure it also has essentials like bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze, adhesive tape, and pain relievers. Having these supplies ready can make a big difference when access to medical help is limited or delayed during a disaster.

PRESCRIPTION MEDICINES

Make sure daily prescriptions are filled and kept up to date for anyone in your household who relies on them. It’s also a good idea to stock extra supplies of occasional-use medications, like pain relievers, allergy medicine, or asthma inhalers, so you’re not caught off guard if access to a pharmacy is limited during an emergency. For those with asthma, having a portable nebulizer ready and in working condition can make a critical difference. Planning ahead ensures that everyone in your household stays healthy and safe, no matter what happens.

FOOD & WATER

Stock up on at least a week’s supply of non-perishable food and bottled water for every member of your household, including pets. Plan on about one gallon of water per person, per day. Don’t forget items like disposable plates, cups, and utensils—they come in handy if washing dishes isn’t possible during or after the storm.

FLASHLIGHTS

When the power goes out, the first thing you’ll want is a reliable flashlight. Make sure everyone in your household has at least one or two on hand. It’s smart to have a mix of battery-powered and solar-powered flashlights, so you’re prepared even if batteries run low. Compact and versatile flashlights are ideal—they can fit in a purse or bag, clip to a hat, or hang for hands-free use. Check out the selection from CableOrganizer® for options that are ready to light your way during an emergency.

SANITATION SUPPLIES

Make sure you have plenty of personal and household sanitation supplies on hand. Stock up on items like alcohol-based hand sanitizer, soap, liquid detergents, toilet paper, disinfectant cleaners, and heavy-duty garbage bags. Having these essentials ready helps keep your household clean and healthy, even if access to stores is limited during an emergency.

CLEAN LAUNDRY

Before a storm, make sure to wash clothing and have several days’ worth of clean clothes and linens on hand. This ensures your household is prepared in case the power goes out or access to laundry becomes limited. Being ready with extra clothing and bedding helps everyone stay comfortable and healthy during an emergency

EMERGENCY CHARGERS

Communication is one thing you can’t go without during or after a storm, even if both electricity and landline phones are down. Most of us rely on our cell phones, so it’s crucial to keep your phone batteries charged and ready. Consider investing in battery cases or portable chargers to ensure your phone stays powered, even when you can’t plug into a wall outlet. Staying connected can make all the difference in an emergency.

EXTENSION CORDS

Keep a few heavy-duty extension cords on hand. They can help you safely bring power to areas of your home that need it during an outage or to connect essential devices to backup generators. Make sure the cords are rated for outdoor use if needed, and avoid overloading them. Having reliable extension cords ready can make managing power interruptions much easier and safer.

SURGE PROTECTORS & UPS SYSTEMS

Protect your electronics and essential devices with surge protectors and UPS (uninterruptible power supply) systems. Surge protectors guard against sudden power spikes, while a UPS gives you temporary backup power to keep critical devices running during an outage. Having these in place helps prevent damage to your equipment and ensures you can stay connected when it matters most.

Download our checklist below

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14x5Hvh_M9DmJl8Sf_VrDmPozSYDEFegN/view?usp=share_link