On this page
Basics
Learn More
See, Play and Learn
Research
Resources
For You
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
Latest News
- When Disaster Strikes, Don't Forget Your Pets (07/30/2017, HealthDay)
Related Issues
- Build an Emergency Preparedness Kit (Healthy Roads Media) - PDF Also in Spanish
- Clean Hands Save Lives: Emergency Situations (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Disaster Preparedness for Your Pet (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water (Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water) Also in Spanish
-
Evacuation and Community Shelters
(Healthy Roads Media)
Also in Spanish
- Evacuation and Community Shelters (Healthy Roads Media) - PDF Also in Spanish
- Home Use Devices: How to Prepare for and Handle Power Outages for Medical Devices That Require Electricity (Food and Drug Administration) - PDF
- Individuals with Access and Functional Needs (Department of Homeland Security)
- Injuries and Mass Casualty Events (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Keep Food and Water Safe After a Disaster or Power Outage (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Pets: Your Plan Should Include All Family Members (American Red Cross)
- Preparedness 101: Zombie Pandemic (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Prevent Injury After a Disaster (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Shelter (Department of Homeland Security)
- Travelers' Health: Natural Disasters and Environmental Hazards (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- What You Need to Know When the Power Goes Out Unexpectedly (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Wireless Emergency Alerts (Federal Emergency Management Agency) Also in Spanish
Specifics
- Blackouts (Healthy Roads Media) - PDF Also in Spanish
-
Dust Storms: Why Are Dust Storms a Concern?
(National Library of Medicine)
Also in Spanish
- How to Cope with Sheltering in Place (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - PDF Also in Spanish
- Natural Gas Emergencies (Healthy Roads Media) - PDF Also in Spanish
- Power Outages (Department of Homeland Security)
Videos and Tutorials
-
Blackouts
(Healthy Roads Media)
Also in Spanish
-
Build an Emergency Preparedness Kit
(Healthy Roads Media)
Also in Spanish
-
Make an Emergency Plan and Practice It
(Healthy Roads Media)
Also in Spanish
-
Pets and Disaster
(Healthy Roads Media)
Also in Spanish
-
Public Health Emergencies
(Healthy Roads Media)
Also in Spanish
-
Sheltering in Place
(Healthy Roads Media)
Also in Spanish
Games
- Disaster Master (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)
Find an Expert
Seniors
-
Home Safety for People with Alzheimer's Disease: Natural Disaster Safety
(National Institute on Aging)