Tips to Help You Stay Safe During a Natural Disaster

Each year the U.S faces billions in natural disaster-related damages. While natural disasters wreak havoc, there is plenty you can do to protect yourself. Natural disasters like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, hailstorms, wildfire, and flooding aren’t confined by seasons, and you need to be prepared to minimize the resulting damages. Consulting with experts, we put together the main tips that can help you better prepare for a natural disaster striking anytime.

Following these tips can ensure you protect not only yourself but also your loved ones, your property and belongings, and any essential items you possess.

1. Ensure Your Affairs Are In Order

Human nature always leads us to deal with what we consider urgent and not important. Sadly, the important always turns into urgent, and for the people that become affected by emergencies, human nature puts us into crisis mode. Let us work to be more proactive rather than reactive and prepare as a family using a few simple tools available at our fingertips. 

To start, ensure that all of your affairs are in order and write your digital memoir (mymacromemoir.com) as victims may have NOTHING physically left to search through to pick up the pieces of what was left behind once the emergency is over. 

To prepare for a crisis such as a flood, hurricane, or fire, it is highly recommended that all important documents are stored digitally for this exact reason.

In addition to storing your information digitally that you can access via your fingertips anywhere, you should also use a binder that holds all of the original physical copies of documents in a fireproof/waterproof binder. The documents that you must retain original copies of- include your will, trust, a minimum of the last three years of your tax returns, birth certificates, social security cards, passports, etc. 

This binder will also include directions on family meeting spots (all family members are aware of this location ahead of time as best practice) in the event of an evacuation and information such as basic medication information and password information. This physical Grab N Go binder has proven to save families during emergencies time and time again.

We do not have to prepare with the sole purpose of doing it for when you pass away, but how about doing it by creating greater efficiency in your life today and extending an act of love to those that you care most about for when the time does come. What will it take for society to embrace and change their behavior when it reaches the need to prepare. 

Preparing always comes with a lesser price tag emotionally and financially. IF you would like information on where to purchase the physical binder, please contact me and also contact me for additional details on the digital binder as well. Both are necessary to prepare for disaster. 

Jaclyn Strauss (CPA) and Founder of My Macro Memoir

How do you know if you need to evacuate?

Turn on the radio and listen to local stations for advice and action plans, or watch local news programs on television. If the advice is offered in a language you don’t understand, ask a local to interpret, look for information online, or phone the local embassy for assistance.

2. Take Shelter

If you’re told you have to stay inside, hide beneath a solid table to protect yourself from falling debris. If you’re stuck in a hotel room, make a mound with pillows and duvets to hide behind since the textiles should buffer the impact of anything falling. 

Lauren Cook-McKay, Director of Marketing & Content Divorce Answers

3. Find Somewhere Safe

If you haven’t been told to leave, find a safe location to hide if the situation worsens. Home and building basements and roofs are easily accessible and frequently life-saving. Driving is the shortest and most practical choice if you are forced to flee. Many people will try to leave if public transportation becomes overloaded, and the service may even cease to exist. Calling a nearby taxi rank could be your best choice if you don’t have immediate access to a car.

Gerrid Smith Founder of Corporate Investigation Consulting

4. Communicate

Notify a family member who is not in an affected region or the authorities of your predicament right away. Tell them your plan of action so that if you lose communication (for example, if your phone runs out of charge), someone will be able to transmit your whereabouts. 

Neil Shaw, Founder & CEO Lottery Sambad

5. Spare Chargers

When it comes to mobile phones, make sure you have extra chargers and adapters in your suitcase. In order to maintain communication while driving, you may need to charge your phone. Having a portable power bank is one of the simplest methods to ensure that your phone is constantly charged.

Alex Claro, VPN Analyst Credit Donkey

6. Be Prepared

It’s a good idea to develop a Disaster Plan ahead of time if you’re going to a place where natural catastrophes are a possibility. If you’re going on a vacation with friends, family, or coworkers, you should let them know about your plans. This may seem little, but working out escape routes and establishing meet-up places in the event of an emergency can be all that is required. Make sure that any vital documents, such as passports, are kept together in a convenient area. The last thing you want is to be trapped in a nation that is experiencing a crisis. 

Bram Jansen, Chief Editor of vpnAlert

7. Preparing for Natural Disaster

Find out certain places, the danger of heavy rain or floods is limited. This is common around rivers and lakes, particularly in low-lying areas. Decide on a hotel intelligently. Avoid booking accommodation in a flood-prone, low-lying region. If it’s flooded, move. 

Prepare for rainy weather. Not just rain gear and dry bags, but also water purifiers. Flooding causes watery illnesses like cholera. Before you leave, be sure your travel insurance covers modifications or cancellations due to flooding. Test it out for flood coverage while you’re gone. 

Rameez Usmani, Digital Marketing Expert The Green Pinky

8. Create A Notebook With These Sections

• Have a ledger with YOU & your family needs listing: Food, Water, Personal Care products, Medications, Supplementation, Clothing/shoes/hat/gloves (prepare for cold, wet, dry, hot), computer backup unit, phone charger, solar radio, mobile solar panels for emergency power, face masks, hand sanitizer, hand towel. 
• Have a waterproof container with the basic needs for people and animals. (water, packaged foods such as granola, nuts, TP). Store in an area of the home, so it is easily available to add products at a moment’s notice. 
• Exit plan in writing prepared in a language everyone in the household can understand. Have a set meeting place in case there is separation experienced.
• Practice schedule
• Review & practice the protocols monthly with household members. Have each person sign and date that they have participated. 
• Contact your local area for disaster preparedness for kits and further instructions.
• Be responsible. Do not expect the government to come to your aid. Know your local terrain and have a safe exit plan.
• “Put your oxygen mask on first,” then help others. 
• Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance.

Dr. Valerie Simonsen ND is a 40+ year expert in international crisis relief and a global Naturopathic Physician.