It may seem like climate disasters only occur elsewhere, but with 14 separate billion-dollar weather events in 2019 alone, odds are Mother Nature will target your area eventually. Are you prepared? Here are the most important things you can do today to prepare for the next tornado, hurricane, flood, or wildfire.

• Stay informed. The nationwide Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system keeps everyone with a WEA-compatible phone aware of weather events in the area. No signup is required! It’s also beneficial to have a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio on hand. This provides to-the-minute alerts about severe storms near you.
• Plan for evacuation. Think about two ways you can escape from every room in your home in case one path is blocked by fire. Also, learn your city’s evacuation plan and become familiar with the major routes out of town in case an evacuation order is issued.
• Keep emergency kits on hand for everyone in your family. Each one should include everything you need to survive at home or on the road for three days, such as food and water, flashlights, blankets, first aid supplies, medications, and personal hygiene items.
• Avoid risky behaviors. For instance, don’t drive through floodwater, don’t go outside during a tornado or hailstorm, and don’t wait until the last minute to evacuate during a wildfire.
• If you shelter in place, go to the safest spot in the house. During a flood, climb to the highest level of the building. Only get the roof to call for help if water starts to enter the top floor. During a tornado, hunker down in the cellar, the basement, or an inner room on the lowest floor of your home.
• If you evacuate, do so quickly and safely. Whether voluntary or mandatory, evacuations can be stressful. Quickly gather the most important items as you head out the door. To help you speed up this process, remember the six Ps of evacuation:
  • People and pets
  • Papers, including phone numbers and important documents
  • Prescriptions, such as eyeglasses, hearing aids, and inhalers
  • Priceless items, including pictures and other irreplaceable mementos
  • Personal computer hard drives
  • Plastic credit cards and paper cash
• Get the whole family involved. From building survival kits to planning evacuation routes, make sure every adult and child in your family is aware of the efforts you have made to prepare for natural disasters. Check out our family disaster plan blog for great resources on teaching your kids about the importance of emergency preparedness.

Ensuring your family’s safety is the most important part of preparing for natural disasters. Once you’re sure everyone is okay, you can begin the recovery process. DKI offers storm damage restoration across North America. No matter what type of natural disaster has occurred or the type of damage your home has sustained, we can help you recover. Please contact us online or call us at 844-354-2255 for help restoring your property today.