Do you know how to prepare and survive a natural disaster? What’s your disaster preparedness plan?
These are just a couple of important questions that are crucial to have answered. If you don’t have crystal clear answers and plans in place fo those questions, this guide is for you. Welcome to the Ultimate Guide on How To Prepare For And Survive Any Natural Disaster.
Knowing how to prepare for natural disasters is one of the more important mountains to climb as a prepper. Disasters and emergencies happen and they happen every day nearly anywhere.
If you live in a part of the country where tornadoes are more frequent or there is more than a fair share of earthquakes that occur, being prepped and ready will make everything around you survive more effectively.
This is the ultimate guide on how to prep and survives nearly any disaster out there. Let’s keep you and our families as safe as possible.
If someone asked you, “are you prepared for the next earthquake?” What would you say?
Would you be able to confidently say, “Yes, I am prepared”? If not, or you want to be able to prepare more thoroughly, this guide is for you.
Should you fully prepare for all of these disasters at the same time, every day, forever? No. But you should take a look at them and see which ones are likely to happen to you based on a few different factors.
Types of Disasters
There are primarily two types of disasters to know about so we can all prepare for them the best we can. Natural and man-made.
Natural Disasters
The first type is natural disasters. These are disasters that are naturally occurring on the planet. They occur primarily due to changes in temperature. These are disasters like tornadoes and hurricanes.
Location is a large factor for these types. For example, if you live in Florida, you’ll want to be more prepared for hurricanes than if you lived in Iowa.
Or if you are camping in one of the best campgrounds across America, preparing for a wildfire would be a good idea.
Man-Made Disasters
These are disasters that are, as the name suggests, caused by the act of man. People causing a disaster to occur. Most of the time it is by complete accident.
These disasters include:
- Explosions
- Major Fires
- Shipping and railway accidents
Factors to Consider
There are a few factors to consider and be aware of when you’re preparing for natural disasters.
Your Location
This is a big one.
If you live in Florida. It’s a good idea to prepare for hurricanes. Based on history, we know that hurricanes occur in Florida. So we can safely say that there will be another hurricane to hit Florida.
Current Events
Preparing to be in a public brawl not to be taken lightly. God forbid you suddenly find yourself in between violence, you’ll want to have protection with you while you attempt to escape as quickly as you can.
Continue below for full, in-depth preparedness guides for every natural disaster.
How To Prepare For Earthquakes
We all know earthquakes are sudden, and that we should be ready for them. Some may think we’ll get warnings about upcoming major earthquakes like tsunamis and other disasters, but it’s actually impossible to know when an earthquake is about to strike. Scientists from the USGS even admit the best they can do is calculate the chances of an earthquake happening. Because of this, we really need to make sure we’re prepared.
Is that Safe?
One of the first steps you can take to protect everyone is checking for hazards. A lot can go wrong at home, so find what needs to be secured in place with latches or studs. Look around and think about what would happen if an earthquake struck. Would the TV fall and break? What about all the glass and plates in the cabinets: Would they tumble out of the cabinets because of the shaking? Is it safe to hang something heavy on the wall above the couch or the bed?
Necessary Supplies
With everything fastened and secured in place, you should think about what supplies you’ll need. First and foremost, have your important documents likes passports, titles, and such together. This is in case you have to abandon your house for any reason.
Make a list of what you have, and consider getting the following: First, find non=perishable food like granola bars, trail mix, etc. and bottled water. You never know what will happen because of an earthquake, so don’t take any chances. If you choose to keep food in cans, then get a manual can opener as well.
Next, you’ll want a stocked first aid kit, essential medicines such as prescriptions, and a manual. It’ll help you work through what to do with what supplies in case you find yourself panicking. You’ll also want a flashlight with spare batteries and bulbs. Sight is important, especially if you need to treat an injury. Having a radio with spare batteries is often recommended, as well as sturdy shoes..
Safe Zones
The next best step to take is finding places you can hide when an earthquake strikes, such as under a sturdy table, or in a corner that’s away from heavy objects like bookcases. You’ll also want to pick spots where glass from windows, mirrors, and the like won’t find you, Also, designate a rendezvous point to ensure everyone made it out in the aftermath. If the kids are at school, make sure they know their safe zones and important information like their address, or your phone number.
On the Same Page
Every household member needs to know the ins and outs for when an earthquake strikes. Does everyone know how and when to shut off the electricity, gas, and water? Does everyone know where to look for the first aid kit if someone gets hurt? If there are children, do they know their address, and how to call 9-1-1? What channel to tune into with the radio? It may seem excessive, but every detail counts.
Some geographical areas are more prone to earthquakes than others. If earthquakes are common in your area, it’s a good idea to learn as much as you can about them. How they work, what causes them, the best ways to prepare for them, etc.
This video below shows you how to survive an Earthquake.
Further reading:
How To Prepare For A Volcanic Eruption
Do you live in a neighborhood at the bottom of a Volcano? Even though the odds of it erupting are something like “it’s likely to erupt again within the next 1000 years”. Even though they seem like slim odds. If the mountain blows, you’ll wish you had prepared because it will become one hell of a fight for survival.
Movies like Dante’s Peak do a good job at showing you just how devastating this natural disaster can cause. The repercussions of an eruption. How far the damage goes. What happens during and after. It puts a dent in the Earth, to say the least.
See the full guide on how to survive a volcanic eruption here.
A volcano is a mountain formed from the accumulation of hot materials from beneath the earth. Volcanic eruptions occur from various mountains and cause a lot of destruction. Volcanic eruption only occurs from mountains that have an active volcano.
The dormant volcanic mountains are not risky for people living around such areas. During an eruption, following these steps are crucial for protecting themselves and their families from hazards caused by the eruption of ash, poisonous gases, and even rocks. Steps to be followed in preparation for volcanic eruption thus include.
Early preparation for an eruption
Volcanic eruption affects a larger area. Preparing ahead of time is a crucial thing. For instance, developing a family sheltering plan or an evacuation scheme plan is essential.
This will be made more accessible when one puts various materials such as battery flashlights, radios, and even respiratory drugs in order. The radio provides information about the outside environment.
Information source
There will always be officials who will be keeping you on track on what to do to be safe and keep your family safe. One needs to be keen to follow the instructions without making a mistake. First aid kits should be prepared ready even before the eruption begins. People living in active volcano areas should have two first aid kits.
Protection of outer body parts
Face masks should also be available just in case one’s face comes in conduct with the acid in the air. The mask will help reduce the risk of being injured. Apart from the mask, one needs shoes and goggles to prevent exposure of various body parts to the outside.
Water and food issue
Food and water should be parked to prevent starving. The food is consumed, especially when an order is given for evacuation. While on the run, it may be difficult to obtain clean food and water that is not dangerous for one’s health.
During and post-eruption precautions
Incase an eruption starts when one is still indoors, then follow the orders given by those above you. Make sure you lock all the windows and the door too. Do not panic, but keep calm and remain in your shelter place. Anything that emits heat in the house, such as gas cylinders, should be turned off.
What to do while in the house
Volcanic ashes may penetrate to the house through various points. As a result, one is advised to place a wet material at the doors and even on the floor. This will help reduce injury. If a situation forces one to leave the house, they should ensure they are wearing long sleeves clothing and covering their faces and legs.
However, it is good to remain indoors to avoid the risk of contracting a respiratory disease that may cause death.
Precaution after the eruption
After the eruption has ended, everyone is advised to take precautions whenever they walk or drive. Ashy places are dangerous as they may lead to collapsing of buildings. The ash, too, maybe hazardous as it may contain chemicals harmful to one’s body.
The affected people should be helped to acquire what they require. In case you realize someone is falling sick because of coming to conduct with eruption chemicals, they should be rushed to hospitals.
Further reading:
How To Prepare For A Tsunami
Tsunamis aren’t an everyday occurrence, but when one is heading towards your direction. It’s one of the few events that you don’t want to be surprised when seeing it…
Tsunami Awareness
The first step in tsunami preparation is being aware of possible dangers. Tsunamis often follow earthquakes, but they can also be caused by natural phenomena such as landslides, comets, and volcanos. Signs that point to tsunami include a very loud roar sound from the coast, ocean water suddenly going away, or a large wall of water appearing. In these situations, it is essential to have a plan for safety.
Planning
If you live in a community that is at risk for tsunamis, there is probably information on shelters and evacuation routes available. Be sure to sign up for any warning systems that may be offered in your community, and make sure that your home is insured for a possible tsunami. Once you know what emergency plans are already in place, use that information to locate a shelter that you can your family can all agree to meet at, in the event that you are separated during a tsunami. This shelter should be more than a mile inland and over 100 feet above sea level.
Develop evacuation routes and practice them to ensure that everyone is comfortable reaching the shelter. Consider that individuals may be coming from different locations, such as workplaces or schools, and be sure to factor that into your plans. You should also have an easily accessible emergency preparedness kit stocked with things like first aid supplies, a multi-tool, hygiene products, emergency food, and a flashlight.
Hold On
When there is a tsunami watch or advisory, pay close attention to the local authorities. If there is a warning, evacuate immediately. If you are caught in the water, find something sturdy that floats and grab it, such as a raft or log. If you are on land, get your emergency preparedness kit and quickly get to high ground, preferably to the emergency shelter that you selected previously. Bring any pets that you have, if you can safely do so.
While traveling, stay away from downed power lines. Also, avoid big buildings and bridges, since they could be dangerous if there is an aftershock. Do not return until an official says that it is safe, as tsunamis may involve more than one wave. Continue listening to local authorities, even after the tsunami has passed.
Next Steps
Once you are safe, it may be tempting to call all of your relatives, but it isn’t a good idea. Instead, use texts or social media to communicate as much as possible, and register yourself on the Safe and Well Redcross website. Phone systems can be interrupted during emergencies and you may not be able to recharge your phone right away.
A disaster is a traumatic event, so don’t forget to pay attention to the emotional needs of your loved ones, as well as their physical needs. If possible, help others around you who need additional assistance, such as the elderly, injured, or those with disabilities. Finally, make sure to document all property damage with pictures, and contact your insurance company.
Further Reading on Tsunami Preparedness:
- weather.gov/media/wrn/presentations/Tsunami_Safety_Presentation.pdf
- redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/tsunami.html
- Ready.gov has a good guide on how to survive a Tsunami here.
How To Prepare For An Avalanche
if you’ve seen any movies on mountain climbing lie Vertical limit, you know that an avalanche is the worst nightmare for the climbers.
Avalanche Awareness
An avalanche is a large amount of snow that moves quickly down a mountain, sometimes at speeds of 120 mph. After the snow stops sliding it solidifies, trapping people and animals under it. In the U.S., avalanches are typically caused by people, new snow, and wind, and they mostly occur from December through March.
Be Alert
Find out if you live, work, or are traveling through areas with avalanche risk. You should sign up for alerts from a U.S. Forest Service Avalanche Center and other local warning systems to make sure you stay up-to-date. Pay attention to posted signs and avoid high-risk areas, such as those with slopes steeper than 30 degrees or areas directly under slopes. If you have to be in a dangerous area, get the training and equipment you need ahead of time. Sometimes you can see the cracking or blocking of snow in advance, but not always. Don’t rely on your sight alone to protect you from an avalanche.
Risk Ready
One of the best ways to prepare for any emergency is to get first aid training. For avalanches, in particular, ensure that you are trained to recognize and treat shock, suffocation, hypothermia, and trauma. Never travel alone through an area with a high risk of avalanches. For safety, always travel in pairs, preferably with a guide who is familiar with the area. Before you go into a high-risk area, consider taking an avalanche course online.
It is also a good idea to use avalanche equipment such as beacons, helmets, and avalanche airbags. Beacons allow others to find you in the event of an avalanche, while helmets and avalanche airbags protect you and give you more space to breathe if you are trapped under the snow. If possible, carry a collapsible avalanche probe and a small shovel so that you can help rescue others if the need arises.
Next Steps
If you are caught in an avalanche, quickly try to go to the flank and get out of the current, like getting to the bank of a river. If that does not work, use your avalanche airbag and yell to attract attention. Try to move against the flow of the snow and keep your head and arms above it.
Call 9-1-1 and then begin to search immediately if someone around you is buried by an avalanche. Most people can survive for about 60 minutes when trapped under the snow, so time is of the essence. Once someone is rescued, treat them using your first aid knowledge. Signs of hypothermia include memory loss, fumbling hands, confusion, drowsiness, slurred speech, and/or shivering. If you suspect that someone may be experiencing hypothermia, get them to a warm location and warm the center of their body first. If possible, keep them dry and wrapped up in blankets.
Even if you are not aware of anyone being buried or injured, contact your local Avalanche Center or the National Avalanche Center to inform them of the situation.
Further Reading:
How To Prepare For A Hurricane
Hurricanes will leave your neighborhood powerless and messy. Strong winds reach the area and are sustained throughout the duration of the storm.
So if the storm is moving slowly when it hits land. You would be experiencing 80MPH winds in one area that could last for hours. Which over time, does more and more damage.
Everyone knows how a hurricane can destroy an area. It is never a good feeling when you experience it. It leaves a path of destruction like no other natural disaster can. The best thing you can do is prepare for it.
Remove Outside Objects
There can be a lot of things you have laying outside your houses like plants, cars, and gardening materials. You must put them all somewhere inside your house. If you have a garage, that is where you should put your vehicle. When you remove your outside objects, you are saving them from getting severely damaged by the hurricane. There will be a ton of things flying around during the hurricane so you will rescue your outside stuff by bringing them inside. If your pet is outside, don’t forget to bring it inside too.
Stock Food and Water
Better go grocery shopping and stock your house with lots of food and water. When a hurricane strikes, all establishments will be closed so you will not be able to buy food and water for quite a long time. Just when you think you bought a lot of food and water, it would still not be enough so you must buy a lot more. It would be better to buy more food instead of less. You never know how long you will be stuck in your house. Even if it is safe all ready to go outside, you can still use the extra food and water that you bought. After all, the stores will be full when it is safe to go out.
Protect Windows with Storm Shutters
There is a huge chance that windows will be damaged when a hurricane strikes. When it does, there may be a chance that winds and rain will get inside your house. You may be able to prevent that from happening when you protect your windows with storm shutters. These things are easy to install and they will benefit your windows a lot.
Wait for Announcements to Evacuate
All the time while you are hidden in your basement, you must listen to your radio and wait for announcements. If there is an announcement that tells you that you must evacuate your house as soon as possible, you must do it immediately. It means it is safe to do so. They must have surveyed the scene because they would not say that if it is not safe yet to go outside of the house. Until that announcement, it would be safe to stay inside your house while the hurricane is happening. If you have a basement, that is definitely where you should go.
Now that you know how to prepare for a hurricane, better have an emergency kit. There will be some members of your family who will get injured when the hurricane strikes. When that happens, you must cure their wounds and injuries right away before they get worse. Thus, better put all types of medicine in that emergency kit and put it somewhere safe.
Further Reading on Hurricanes:
How To Survive A Sinkhole
When it comes down to sinkhole survival tips, the key is to know the signs of a sinkhole so you can spot it way before coming close to falling in.
To best prepare and survive falling into a sinkhole is to spot them before you ever have a chance to fall in. Watch this video to learn how to spot a sinkhole.
What is a Sinkhole and How are They Formed?
A sinkhole is a hole in the ground caused by a collapse in the surface layer of the earth. They can vary in size from 1 meter to 600 meters, or 3 feet to 2,000 feet. They are normally caused by the wearing away of an underground rock layer or an aging pipe or septic tank.
CNN made an interesting video on the inside of a sinkhole. There is a lot to learn from this video. The more you know, the better you’re going to be able to prepare yourself.
What Can You Do to Prevent a Sinkhole?
There is no absolute way to prevent a sinkhole, but there are ways to limit the threat of one. An inspector can look at your home and land, and while this can result in a small fee, it is worthwhile to check if you are at risk for a sinkhole. Always replace aging pipes and septic tanks, as well as installing support piers if you live in a place where these disasters are a known problem. This will anchor your home below the soil.
If you live in an area that has droughts often, you want to use water as little as possible. Underground water will fill in cracks and holes below the surface that will keep the soil from moving, and if you are having a drought, there won’t be any water underground to keep this from happening.
The best way to avoid a sinkhole is to stay as far away from an area where this disaster happens often. This will save you many if one ever happens to you, as well as keep you safe.
Sinkhole Warning Signs
Some warning signs that a sinkhole will happen are dips and slopes in the ground. If there are other sinkholes in the neighborhood, it is possible there might be some around your property. Ponds will also begin to form or drain rapidly when a sinkhole is nearby.
How Should You Prepare for a Sinkhole?
Make sure you know how a sinkhole forms and what they can do. Have your land tested when you buy a home, and constantly check for any warning signs that one might occur.
Some insurance companies cover sinkholes on your property, so you should call them and see. They can also repair any damage that the sinkhole causes on your property.
Over time a sinkhole will get bigger, so if one happens to form and you must evacuate, you should move as far away as possible from it. Remember that you may have to evacuate at a moment’s notice. Have a plan for where you and your family will go, as well as a backup plan in case you are separated from each other. Also, make sure to have a binder ready for emergencies that include copies of important documents, such as insurance policies and birth certificates.
How to Survive If You Fall Into a Sinkhole
If you do find yourself in a sinkhole, there are two things you can do. First, you want to cover your head with your arms, as this will protect you from head trauma and give you breathing room. Also, you want to practice a parachute landing fall to protect your bones. This is where you tuck your knees and on impact, tall to your side, and roll backward. However, death from a sinkhole is very rare as there are warning signs before one will occur.
See our full Sinkhole Survival Guide on how to survive a sinkhole.
Further Reading on Sinkholes:
How To Survive a Flood
Massive amounts of rainfall or a hurricane are likely to cause some flooding. In serious cases, usually, a powerful hurricane can leave an area with multiple feet of water.
Why Flood Is An Important Disaster Concern
Flooding typically happens when heavy and incessant rainfall occurs in a relatively low land area. However, floods can also happen in congested areas with poor drainage systems.
A flood is an important disaster concern because it can affect various communities and households all around the world. Aside from that, it disturbs the environment, ruins valuable properties, and sometimes causes casualties, especially among children.
The following lists are detailed procedures on how to act before, during, and after a flood.
How To Prepare
1) Survey your house’s or office’s immediate vicinity and make sure to take note of areas that are most likely to be affected by the flood. You can take note or report any defects for resolution and fixing.
2) Also, take note and post the telephone numbers of essential organizations such as the nearest hospital, fire station, and police station near your home or office phone.
3) Moreover, take note of the phone numbers and addresses of your relatives or officemates.
4) If your area is prone to flooding, always be ready by putting or storing your essential things, money, valuable documents, appliances, and perishables in secure, higher places.
5) Make sure to keep an emergency bag consisting of essentials for every family member or office staff in case of immediate evacuation due to flash floods.
6) Monitor the weather and watch news reports in case of typhoons which can likely cause a flood.
During The Flood
1) Try to remain calm and monitor news reports and updates from the TV, radio, or online platforms.
2) Communicate with your relatives, colleagues, or local authorities for advice, instructions, and assistance.
3) If your house or office is beginning to get flooded inside, make sure to unplug all electric appliances. Also, try to go up to a higher place in order to keep dry and safe. Bring with you all the essential things and documents.
4) If you are with your family or officemates, try to stay together especially if you’re stranded in one place. Monitor each other’s presence at all times.
5) If you are in a much difficult situation, try to call the authorities to ask for help and assistance.
6) If the floodwaters rise to a point rendering the roads impassable to vehicles, better be safe to stay at home or at the office and go up and stay at higher places.
7) If you will be submerged in running floodwaters, try to be calm and find for something like a wood or any buoyant material to help you stay afloat until someone sees and rescues you.
After The Flood
1) Determine if your family members or officemates are all fine.
2) Report immediately to authorities for any damage to property.
3) You can call your insurance agent to file a claim for any damages.
4) Check for structural damage before re-entering your home or office to avoid being trapped when the structure collapses.
5) Stay away from sagging ceilings or floorings.
6) Rescue all essential items and important documents.
7) If someone has been hurt, call the ambulance and bring them to the nearest hospital.
8) Clean your area from flood debris such as mud, plants, tree barks, animals, and other possibly carried materials.
Further Reading:
How To Prepare For A Train Wreck Crash
The best way to survive a train wreck crash is to know exactly what to do before the crash that will ensure your best possible chances of survival and minimizing potential injuries when the crash occurs.
It is never a good feeling to be involved in a train wreck crash. When you’ve seen a train crash happen, the result is extremely devastating. Lots of lives are lost and it will take millions to repair the damage. The accident definitely affected a lot of lives. Good thing, there are a few things you can do to prepare for it. Here are some of them:
Look for the Nearest Exit
There are a lot of emergency exits on a train. Look for the nearest one so you know where to go in the event of a train wreck crash. A train usually has several emergency exits so the nearest one should not be hard to find. In fact, it is possible that there are two emergency exits near to you. Thus, choose the one that is less crowded in the event of a train wreck crash.
Sit in the Middle
When a train crashes, most of the damage will be at the front and back. Therefore, you will be safer if you sit somewhere in the middle. Don’t be shy about requesting a seat in that section. Just tell them it would be for your own safety. They would certainly grant your request since your safety is their priority.
Sit Backwards
You are going to absorb less damage if you sit backward. The reason for this is when the train crashes, you will be thrown backward instead of forward. Take note that you should only do this as a last resort option and the train is about to crash. You know you are going to be damaged but sitting backward will allow your body to not be damaged that much.
Sit Near the Window
In the event of a train crash, the crew will give instructions as to what you are going to do next. When you panic, it would be best to jump out the train via the window. All you need to do is to lift the window so it would open. Keep in mind that you will need to exert full strength so that the window would open. They kept the window shut tight for a reason. They would not want air to get on the train while it is running. Thus, it would be best to pull the window as if your life depends on it because it does.
Now that you know how to prepare for a train wreck crash, there is no doubt you are going to feel confident about riding a train. Besides, it is the fastest and cheapest way to move around the city. Whether you are an employee or a tourist in a city, you know the train is your first option to go to your destination. Keep in mind that the train will do the best they can to make sure the safety of all the passengers is ensured. Thus, the above tips are just a safety precaution but the chances of a train crash happening are very little.
Further Reading on Surviving a Train Wreck:
- 4 Tips On How To Survive a Trainwreck
- See the full guide on how to prepare for a train wreck crash here.
How To Prepare For A Wildfire
Wildfires are terrible disasters that affect the land and environment more so than most other disasters. The fires that happen in California cause massive damage.
See the full guide on how to prepare and survive a Wildfire here.
Our world is heating up fast. This is making the likelihood of wildfires much of a risk. Even cooler parts of the world, such as the Scandinavian countries, have started to experience wildfires on a more frequent basis.
Finding out that your home is at risk from a wildfire is a terrifying experience. Having had personal experience of wildfires, I have learned how to prepare for a wildfire.
Prepping For A Wildfire In A Residential Area
When you live in a high-risk area, it is essential you are prepared for wildfire at all times. They are more likely to occur during the warmer period of the year, however, they can take place at any time.
It is important to realize that wildfires don’t discriminate. Almost anything and everything in the path of a wildfire will burn. This is why it is essential to take precautions.
Dampening Down
Before the wildfire season, you should check all of your hoses and other water supplying appliances in and around your home. Make sure they are in good order and don’t have any leaks. Also, check the water pressure. High water pressure means you have more water to stop the spread of the fire,
Dampening down is one of the smartest ways to stop a fire from taking hold. You need to start before the fire reaches your property. Spray liberal amounts of water on your home and outdoor buildings.
Many homeowners forget about trees and bushes in the garden. If you are serious about stopping the fire in its tracks, you should damp them down as well. Increased moisture means the fire is less likely to catch hold, it may even “jump” your property altogether.
Smoke Inhalation A Big Risk To Health
The biggest risk to health is from smoke inhalation. You can buy protective equipment online. But, the best way to stay safe, is to stay indoors. This means you should check your insulation. Make sure your windows, doors, and vents are all well insulated. Once smoke enters your home, it is often too late to protect yourself from it.
Stock Up On Food And Drinking Water
Keep your home stocked up on food and drinkable water. Wildfires wreak havoc with electricity supplies. Most of the time, they will burn down power lines. This means you will be left without electricity. Having food that is easy to prepare can increase your endurance.
The best food supplies you can stock up on are canned goods and freeze-dried foods. Any food that can be reheated on a camping stove will help to feed you and your family.
Drinking water is another essential. You can survive without food for a few days, but without water, you are not going to last very long. Stock up on water bottles, keep them in the house to make sure you are always prepared.
Communication
Both your home phone and mobile phone will be cut off. Probably this means losing internet access. Investing in a simple radio communication system is the best idea. Remember it needs to be battery powered as it is unlikely you will have electricity.
Keeping on top of what is going on in your area, will help to save your life and that of others.
Surviving a wildfire is not easy and not for the faint-hearted. It is always best to be prepared as wildfires can materialize out of nowhere especially after thunderstorms. Make sure you are ready to tackle the fire and save yourself from the smoke.
Further Reading:
How To Survive Quicksand
Quicksand is terrifying if you find yourself trapped in it which is always unexpected. Quicksand is nearly impossible to identify. Even if your Creek Stewart, it’s easy to be blind to it.
To see what to do to prepare and survive, see our full Quicksand Survival Guide.
How To Prepare For A Tornado
Tornadoes are so strong, they can throw a plastic straw through a steel truck.
A tornado is quite a thing to see. A swirl of air, particles, and dust against a grey sky paints a beautiful and powerful picture. A tornado must be respected, however, since it can demolish just about anything it hits.
For many in certain parts of the country, and for the world for that matter, tornado seasons are common. These are the times of year when tornadoes are more likely to occur. These are times when a volatile shifting of air from one portion of the atmosphere to another tends to take place.
So, for those of us who are most vulnerable to this threat from tornadoes, it’s imperative we take the danger seriously. We must have a plan ready in the event we are faced with a tornado sighting in our communities.
Get a tornado disaster plan together
The best way to prepare for a tornado is to be proactive, Anticipate that you and your family may encounter one; so, have a disaster plan in place, You want to think ahead of time what you will do when local authorities issue a tornado warning which means a tornado has been seen nearby, Know where in your home you should go, what you need to take with you, and what you will do when you get there.
Be sure to share your plan with your loved ones and review it often. In that way, they will act immediately upon hearing the news of a tornado sighting nearby.
Gather emergency supplies
In addition to your plan, you will need to get together and maintain certain emergency supplies that will help get you through a tornado.
At a very minimum, emergency items should include:
- flashlight
- batteries
- cell phone with extra batteries
- first aid kit
- hand-held battery-powered radio and batteries
- bottled water
- protein food bars
- hand sanitizer
- blankets
- whistle
These supplies can be placed in a box and stored in your home near or in the location where you plan to take shelter from a tornado,
Take shelter as soon as you know the danger is near
When a tornado warning is issued, take precautions right away. If you are home, go to the place you and your family decided would be the safest, whether it’s a basement, an inside room with no windows, or perhaps a sturdy building nearby.
Close the door and use your phone to let someone know where you are. Wait there until the danger passes. If you are hit by a tornado and you are trapped, stay calm, and call 911. If you are at work or school, the authorities there should already have a plan; and, you just need to follow instructions.
If You’re Driving
If you’re driving and are caught in turbulent winds, stop and seek shelter.
What happens if you are in your car and you see a tornado ahead or are already in violent winds with debris flying around you? What happens if you hear a loud roar? You must park the car immediately. If it’s safe enough and you have time to seek shelter in a building, do so. If not, get into a ditch and put your hands and a blanket, if possible, over your head. If you can’t get out, make sure your seat belt is on and place your head below the windows. Cover it with your hands or a cushion.
With just a little proactive behavior, you can survive one of nature’s most dangerous disasters. We can’t control nature, but we can anticipate what might happen and take a few simple necessary precautions to ensure our safety and the safety of those around us,
Further Reading:
- How To Survive a Tornado
- How To Stay Safe During a Tornado
- Tornado safety by Red Cross
- Tornado Survival For When You’re Driving
Also, see this Tornado preparedness PDF by Fema.
How To Prepare For A Landslide
Having a landslide fall on to your vehicle while driving on top of a mountain will do a bit more than your morning coffee would.
Landslides are common during the heavy rainfall conditions. How to prepare for a landslide during the rainy season? This query is commonly heard from people and members of disaster management groups. Let’s find here some of the preparations made before the occurrence of landslides to reduce the number of deaths and similar misshapen. The location of the house site is very important to prevent the misshapen due to landslides. Always make sure that you construct a house away from landslide-prone areas.
Verify the land region is safe
At present, the details of the geography of a location can be obtained from online platforms like Google Maps. Hence people can make use of online software options to check the details of natural disasters in a specific location. Members of Natural Disaster Management generally used to prepare for landslides by preparing the supply kits before the start of extreme climate conditions. Construction of buildings near landslide-prone to areas like mountain slopes can create difficulties during extreme weather conditions. Hence try to avoid the extension and construction of buildings near slopes and quarry areas.
Prevent cutting of trees in landslide-prone areas
Cutting down of trees is found to be the main cause for the occurrence of soil erosion and landslide conditions. This condition can be prevented by planting plenty of trees in mountain areas. Roots of soil can prevent soil erosion and landslide conditions by accumulating soil nearby its root. Planting trees is suggested as a natural way to reduce the occurrence of soil erosion and landslides. Hence make sure that you have not uprooted big trees lying in the slope region during the rainfall period.
Prevent mining near the landslide-prone area
Relocating people staying nearby to landslide areas can minimize the risks due to landslide conditions. For safe results, feel free to do sufficient inquiry with concerned members in disaster management groups before the occurrence of extreme weather conditions. Excessive mining done in areas prone to landslide is found to be a common cause of natural disasters. This condition can be reduced by limiting the mining areas done nearby slope region prone to landslides. At present, mining in the quarry is done with the concerned authorization and certificates. Unauthorized mining can be reported to officials of the concerned department to prevent the occurrence of landslides and similar natural disasters.
Get insurance certificates
At present, many awareness programs are conducted in regions prone to landslide areas to reduce the risks due to rainfall and landslides. Getting insurance certificates for home and other building assets can also reduce the money losses due to natural disasters like landslides. Good construction work of buildings can reduce the risk of damage. At present, people can make use of products like flexible pipes to reduce the troubles due to accidental damage.
Relocation of people in landslide-prone area
The usage of enhanced devices that recognize landslides in the early stage can minimize the damages in the accident area. Many of the students had already made devices that recognize factors leading way to landslides. Those devices mainly function by providing warnings after analyzing the water concentration in the soil of the accident-prone areas. Hence enhanced devices can help the people to recognize the misshapen in the early stage so that people can relocate their places before the disaster time.
Further Reading on Landslide Survival:
- https://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/hzd/lndslds-bfr-en.aspx
- Landslide Preparedness
- See the full guide on how to prepare for a Landslide here.
How To Prepare For An EMP (Electro-Magnetic Pulse) Attack
Have you ever experienced an EMP? You don’t hear about them as much as you do hurricanes or earthquakes.
But when they happen, they can cause a huge problem for those affected.
Here are 5 things you must do to prepare for an EMP.
This video by VikingPreparedness below does a good job explaining how to prepare for an EMP attack.
What is an EMP?
EMP is an abbreviation for electromagnetic pulse. An electromagnetic pulse is a strong pulse that has the potential to overtake the surface of the earth. This pulse is created when a crucial amount of disruption interferes with the large magnetic field surrounding our planet earth to protect us from the flares of the sun.
How an EMP can affect you
If the earth and the technology we have today ever experiences an EMP attack, all of our electrical structures will be harmed or eradicated. Many people fear that if we experience a substantial attack it can push our advancement in technology thousands of years back. We have been fortunate enough to not have to worry about a natural EMP attack from the flares of our sun. Our magnetic field seems to be protecting us very well. However, if the flares from the sun have a large force behind them it can cause severe problems for us on earth.
Where Can an EMP Come From?
An EMP can happen from a natural cause or it can be man-made. The sun has a flare that can send energetic specks into the atmosphere surrounding earth. This is the cause of a natural EMP and if the earth gets caught in the cross-hair at the wrong time, then the planet will be affected by the energetic specks. Scientists have also done the research and found out that there are ways to create EMPs with manpower. Scientists researches have shown that a nuclear bomb is a perfect example of an EMP and if it explodes on the earth’s surface it can take out all the electrical structures in a large amount of land.
How To Prepare For An EMP
When preparing for an EMP you must be ready to live a life without electronics. Fortunately, there are ways to protect your electronics from EMPs. This may be something that you might want to know.
The Right Metal
Although EMPs can be a nightmare for people growing up in the technology advancement age, surprisingly they can be countered. Once you obtain the knowledge of protecting yourself from EMPs, you can begin to prepare yourself for a low price. There is a specific type of metal that can block the attack of an EMP, a metal we are all very familiar with. This metal is aluminum foil. Aluminum foil can survive an EMP attack, leaving your electronics functional. It can take up to 7 or 10 layers of aluminum foil to protect your electronics.
How To Protect Your Car
You can protect your car from an EMP by layering your garage with aluminum foil. You can also layer the walls and ceilings in your home. Be prepared to live life without electricity. This means that water and food should be the number one priority when preparing for an EMP. Although you may be able to protect your electronics, the power around you will not be available for your use. Overall, always stay prepared.
Further Readding on EMP:
- https://techprotectbag.com/how-to-prepare-for-an-emp-a-comprehensive-guide/
Conclusion
We hope these guides have helped you. A large part of our mission here is to help citizens prepare for disasters and survive for the long term.
If you liked this guide and it helped you, you might also want to check out our other complete survival guides like the survival library that lists the best survival books, how to survive wild animal attacks, and also how to tie paracord knots for survival.
Have you experienced a natural disaster than you weren’t 100% prepared for? What did you do? Let us know below.
