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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
Related Issues
- Clean Hands Save Lives: Emergency Situations (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
- Clean Up Safely After a Natural Disaster (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
- Disaster Preparedness for Your Pet (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
- Disaster Safety for Expecting and New Parents (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
- Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water (Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water) 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 Disabilities (Department of Homeland Security) Also in Spanish
- Keep Food and Water Safe After a Disaster or Power Outage (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
- Pet Disaster Preparedness (American Red Cross)
- Plan, Prepare and Protect Your Pet Before, During and After an Emergency (Food and Drug Administration)
- Preparedness 101: Zombie Pandemic (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Shelter (Department of Homeland Security) Also in Spanish
- Travelers' Health: Environmental Hazards and Other Noninfectious Health Risks (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- What You Need to Know When the Power Goes Out Unexpectedly (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
Specifics
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Dust Storms
(National Library of Medicine)
- How to Cope with Sheltering in Place (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) - PDF Also in Spanish
- Natural Disaster Recovery: Cleanup Hazard (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) Also in Spanish
- Power Outages (Department of Homeland Security)
- Ready Indian Country (Department of Homeland Security) - Disaster preparation tips for American Indian and Alaska Native populations.
Games
- Disaster Master (Department of Homeland Security)
Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Disasters
(National Institutes of Health)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Preparation for Possible Sustained Transmission of 2019 Novel Coronavirus: Lessons From...
- Article: Enhancing Private Sector Health System Preparedness for 21st-Century Health Threats: Foundational...
- Article: COVID-19: the gendered impacts of the outbreak.
- Disaster Preparation and Recovery -- see more articles
- Disaster relief -- see more articles
Find an Expert
Older Adults
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Disaster Preparedness for Alzheimer's Caregivers
(National Institute on Aging)