Disaster Preparation and Recovery

On this page

Basics

• Summary
• Start Here

Learn More

• Related Issues
• Specifics

See, Play and Learn

• Videos and Tutorials
• Test Your Knowledge

Research

• Clinical Trials
• Journal Articles

Resources

• Find an Expert

For You

• Children
• Teenagers
• Older Adults

Summary

Preparing for a disaster can reduce the fear, anxiety and losses that disasters cause. A disaster can be a natural disaster, like a hurricane, tornado, flood or earthquake. It might also be man-made, like a bioterrorist attack or chemical spill. You should know the risks and danger signs of different types of disasters. You should also have a disaster plan. Be ready to evacuate your home, and know how to treat basic medical problems. Make sure you have the insurance you need, including special types, like flood insurance.

No matter what kind of disaster you experience, it causes emotional distress. After a disaster, recovery can take time. Stay connected to your family and friends during this period.

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Start Here

• Make a Plan (Department of Homeland Security)
• Recovering from a Disaster (General Services Administration)
• Which Natural Disasters Should You Prepare For? (American Red Cross)

Related Issues

• Are You Looking for Food for Yourself or Your Family After a Disaster? (Food and Nutrition Administration)
• Be Prepared: Pet Safety in Emergencies (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Build a Kit (Department of Homeland Security)
• DisasterAssistance.gov (Department of Homeland Security) Also in Spanish
• Emergency Communications Tips (Federal Communications Commission)
• Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water (Environmental Protection Agency) Also in Spanish
• Evacuation (Department of Homeland Security)
• FDA Offers Tips about Medical Devices and Natural Disasters (Food and Drug Administration)
• Get Prepared Before a Disaster or Emergency Strikes (Financial Plan) (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau)
• Guidelines for Cleaning Safely after a Disaster (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Guidelines for Staying Safe at a Disaster Shelter (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• How to Make Water Safe in an Emergency (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Keep Food Safe after a Disaster or Emergency (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
• Managing Chronic Conditions after a Natural Disaster (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - PDF
• People with Disabilities (Disaster Preparation) (Department of Homeland Security) Also in Spanish
• Reunification of Family in the US and US Territories (Disaster Aid) (American Red Cross)
• Safety Messages for Pregnant, Postpartum, and Breastfeeding Women During Natural Disasters and Severe Weather (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Shelter (Department of Homeland Security) Also in Spanish
• Tips for Returning Home Safely after a Disaster (Federal Emergency Management Agency) Also in Spanish
• What to Do to Protect Yourself during a Power Outage (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
• Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) (Federal Communications Commission)

Specifics

• Flood Preparedness and Response (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
• Power Outages (Department of Homeland Security) Also in Spanish

Videos and Tutorials

• Red Cross Mobile Apps (American Red Cross)

Test Your Knowledge

• Games: Test Your Know-How in a Wide Range of Emergencies (Department of Homeland Security)

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Disasters (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

• Article: Decadal patterns of disaster damage and recovery-to-damage dynamics in South Korea...
• Article: Localization system for urban search and rescue using smartphone microphones.
• Article: Emergency preparedness and disaster management for primary health care in Africa...
• Disaster Preparation and Recovery -- see more articles

Find an Expert

• American Red Cross Also in Spanish
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Also in Spanish
• Department of Homeland Security
• Federal Emergency Management Agency Also in Spanish

Children

• Children and Specific Disasters or Emergencies (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Protect Children's Health: Natural Disasters and Emergencies (Environmental Protection Agency)

Teenagers

• Play the Disaster Game (Disaster Mind) (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
• Teen Activity Book (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Teen Emergency Kit Checklist (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
• Teen Shelter Safety Factsheet (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Older Adults

• Disaster Preparedness and Recovery for Older Adults (National Institute on Aging)