Disaster can strike at any time, with or without warning. It is important to be prepared by educating yourself on possible disasters in your area and in your country. Preparing ahead can save lives, money, and resources.
The following websites and documents are provided to the public by the United States Government (or local government) and cover every disaster imaginable. Protect yourself, your family, and your community by learning disaster protocol. Bookmark these websites for easy access and encourage your friends and family to do the same.
http://www.fema.gov/plan-prepare-mitigate
FEMA’s Plan, Prepare, & Mitigate site is full of information regarding protecting yourself, your business, home, and community before, during, and after disasters. From earthquakes to dam failures, FEMA’s website has you covered. There are printable materials and links to local websites that will help you and your family be prepared for an array of catastrophic events.
http://emergency.cdc.gov/hazards-all.asp
The Center for Disease Control has a wide range of blogs available for public reading, and it contains helpful links to CDC pages. The Preparedness for All Hazards page includes links to pages that explain Emergency Preparedness and Response topics like Caring for Children, Preparation & Planning, and Training & Education. These are great local and national resources for a prepper of any level.
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/substances/index.asp
The CDC’s Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR) website allows the reader to access important information regarding toxic substances and how they affect one’s health. You can browse by substance, by parts of the body affected, and information about how emergency responders may handle diseased, chemical, or radioactive substances. You can also search by region to find information on substances that may be prevalent in your area.
The National Weather Service, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides the reader with up-to-date weather information. A large map on the home page displays a nationwide look at the weather, and includes a key for 19 different warnings, advisories, and weather watches. Click on a county to zoom in and get the latest weather conditions, watches and warnings, radar, and satellite views of the area.
Climate.gov is another NOAA website that provides scientific information regarding the climate nationwide. The Maps & Data tab at the top of the website is particularly interesting, as you can access global, national, and regional maps covering precipitation data, normal and extreme conditions and temperatures, and marine data. Weather can change with a moment’s notice, and identifying quick changes in weather can save your life. Learn about weather patterns for your region and you will be a more efficient prepper!
http://ema.ohio.gov/Documents/DRB/DisasterSequence.pdf
This PDF from the state of Ohio’s Emergency Management Agency’s website is a concise summary of procedures following a disaster. It includes the processes of local, state, and federal government. Although this document is specific to Ohio procedures, it is a great overview for anyone to familiarize oneself with, and also covers FEMA disaster assistance for the public. Be sure to check with your local government to confirm the existence of local and state programs in addition to federal assistance.
http://www.dhs.gov/ntas-public-guide
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security believes that every American should be informed regarding potential terrorist attacks. Part of preparing for disaster is to know as far in advance as possible that an event will occur. Stay informed by signing up for alerts from the Department of Homeland Security through their website or through Facebook, Twitter, or Email. You can also learn more about emergency communications on our website.
http://www.epa.gov/naturalevents/general.html
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides a wealth of information regarding natural disasters preparedness and response. This branch of the EPA website covers everything from reporting disasters, learning about alerts (and signing up for different types of alerts), and generator safety to recovery, mold safety, and disaster debris. A great resource for any survivalist.
http://emergency.cdc.gov/recentincidents.asp
Another CDC website, however this one covers recent public health outbreaks or natural disasters to hit the United States. Diseases, chemicals, tornadoes, wildfires and bombings are all covered on this website. Click on a recent event to find information regarding details of the event or the chemical, natural disaster, or attack, to find preparedness information in case the event happens again, and how to know whether you are at risk. A great website for keeping up with current events that may impact your community.
Geoplatform.gov provides government-collected geospacial data, or data that is based on place, in a succinct way to the public. Developed by the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC), the website is intended for use by government agencies, academia, the private sector, and the general public. Including over 80,000 datasets, you can find information and articles from NOAA, the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and a multitude of local and sate government departments. There is a lot of information and it may be a bit overwhelming, but there is a ton of helpful information regarding climate and disasters.
The United States government is determined to help you prepare for any emergency, but it is your responsibility to do the research and learn about possible disasters and what to do in case of an event. Being informed is the first step to survival, and these government websites will help you be as prepared as possible.