Disasters can happen with little or no warning—and help may not be immediately available. Severe weather, flooding, extreme heat, winter storms, wildfires, and other emergencies can disrupt power, communication, transportation, and essential services.
During a widespread emergency, first responders and other resources may be overwhelmed, leaving your family to be self-sufficient until help can reach you.
This Disaster Preparedness & Family Readiness Center helps you take action now—build your knowledge, make a plan, gather essential supplies, and prepare your household one step at a time.
Don't wait for the emergency to begin. The time to prepare is now.
How Ready Is Your Family?
Start with a quick readiness assessment to see what you already have in place and identify areas that may need attention.
What You Will Do
Click any card to begin that preparedness activity.
Learn Preparedness Basics
Understand the four phases of emergency management and the hazards most likely to affect your family.
Start Learning
Create Your Family Plan
Organize emergency contacts, meeting locations, household members, and important places.
Start Family Plan
Build Your Emergency Supplies
Track what you already have and what you still need.
Check My Supplies
Build Your Go Bag
Prepare essential items you may need if you must leave quickly.
Build My Go Bag
Prepare Your Vehicle
Create and maintain an emergency kit for each vehicle.
Prepare My Vehicle
Check Your Home
Complete home-safety and hazard-prevention activities.
Start Home Safety CheckQuick Question
Does your household have a designated emergency meeting location?
One Step at a Time
You do not have to complete everything today. Every completed step makes your household better prepared.
Learn. Plan. Prepare. Practice.
Your Preparedness Journey
Each step builds on the last. Click any step to jump in.
This Week's Preparedness Step
Check every smoke detector in your home.
Test each smoke detector and replace batteries if needed. Make sure you have at least one on every floor.
Preparedness information in this app is intended to support personal and family emergency planning. For active emergencies, follow instructions from appropriate local emergency authorities and first responders.