You're relaxing on the sofa when the sirens sound off. Running to the window, you see the sky has turned menacingly black. An adrenaline rush quickens your heartbeat, and you start breathing heavily. The weatherman was right. It looks like a tornado might hit any moment.
Fortunately, you and your loved ones know what to do thanks to your family emergency preparedness plan. You send everyone to the basement knowing there's food, water, and medical supplies. You also have a backup generator and sump pump to deal with the aftermath.
If you live in the plains, Midwest, or even parts of the south, then the tornado scenario described above is probably something you've experienced. Those on the coasts must contend with hurricanes that are intensifying every year.
Each of these disasters presents unique challenges and must be dealt with accordingly. How you prepare for a hurricane will differ from an earthquake. However, there are common elements that a family disaster plan will share no matter what the scenario. To keep yourself and your family safe, you need a family preparedness plan.
Yet, according to a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) study, 60% of Americans do not practice emergency preparedness.
The initial response is what will differ depending on the type of emergency. Every member of your household should be on the same page with disaster planning and know what to do and where to meet in each scenario. In a tornado, this means running to the basement or interior room. In a hurricane or wildfire, this means having an evacuation plan to a rendezvous point.
Everyone should also have a communication plan if separated. Have all the numbers to emergency services in your phone and keep an out-of-town contact who will be thinking of you during the disaster. Finally, if you have a family member with a disability, plan for how to get them to safety.
You can get flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which is run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Do not wait until the moment right before an emergency to purchase flood insurance because you won't get it (insurance companies won't sell you a policy if they calculate a high risk of having to pay).
Even if you were to get insurance right before a storm, the policy wouldn't go into effect in time. Purchase the policy several months before the disaster season. Call the NFIP office at (888) 379-9531 for more info about flood insurance.
Once you've survived the event, prepare for the possibility that life won't normalize for days or weeks, especially if you're stuck in the disaster zone.
Now, food and fresh water become the priority, followed by extra clothing, medical equipment, tools, etc.
Use the following infographic and emergency go bag checklist (linked below) as a guide for what to have in your home in case of emergency:
Once you have the essentials your body needs, your mind will quickly turn to your home.
The utility can and will fail you during a disaster. Having a backup portable or standby generator will keep the lights on.
Portable generators are great for short-term disaster relief and can usually provide between 1,000 and 17,000 watts of electricity. They can typically ship to your home right before or after an emergency and be used immediately. Furthermore, they are not tied to your home if you must leave, so you can take them with you on the road.
If sized properly, portable units will power your essentials but may trip if you turn on an unexpected load. Also, unless you invest in an inverter generator that puts out clean power, you won't be able to power sensitive electronic devices without risking damage.
With 150 kilowatts or more of clean power, a standby can either power essential circuits or your entire home. But its permanence means it's not something you can simply order a few days before a hurricane.
Due to the electrical connections, you need a professional installation. Even before that, many municipalities require zoning approval. In fact, it can be a couple of months between when you first order the standby and when you can use it.
Whether you go with a portable or standby generator, you will need a supply of fuel to power it.
A backup generator will ensure your primary sump pump stays powered, but even after you lose electricity, a battery backup sump pump can be a temporary lifesaver. It will pick up the slack if your primary pump burns out or there is too much water flowing into the pit.
For this reason, it's best to have both a battery backup sump pump and a backup generator. If utility power goes out, your primary sump pump will still run off the generator. However, if the primary sump pump fails, then the backup will kick into gear.
Sometimes, the flow of water is so great that nothing you do will prevent a flood. In these unfortunate situations, the best you can do is have a water pump to eliminate the water as quickly as possible. The longer your home stays flooded, the more mold and damage the water will cause.
Investing in a dewatering pump or a trash pump (to handle debris-littered water) can be a game changer after a hurricane or flood. Both types come in electric, gas, and diesel options.
Once the inside of your home is dry, you can start looking at the mess outside. When first stepping out, watch out for downed power lines and other hazardous debris.
If it's safe, you can proceed with cleanup. Here are some possible scenarios, along with the tools you will need.
The damage caused by natural disasters is unpredictable, but you can and should predict your response. Knowing what to do, which items to pack, and how to protect your home and family will increase your chances of survival.
Never procrastinate when it comes to a family emergency preparedness plan. With a disaster checklist and plan in place, chances are you'll be able to weather any storm.
If you need help with choosing your disaster preparation gear, our experts at Electric Generators Direct are here to help. Give us a call at
1 (800) 800-3317.