Emergency Cards EN-US

United States

Natural disasters

Reviewed

Use at your own risk. For education and research only, not medical advice. Check the numbers and rules for the country you are in. They change. Before you rely on these cards, have a medical professional or a fire safety specialist review them. Disclaimer

Do this first

Get indoors, away from windows, and switch on the official alert channel.

Storms, earthquakes and heatwaves are survivable when the first hour has been planned. Anything you prepare on a quiet day helps more than a decision made in the middle of the event.

Step by step

  1. Know how official warnings reach you. Wireless Emergency Alerts go to every phone in the area, and NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts around the clock.
  2. Keep a 72 hour bag ready with water, food, medication, a flashlight, a power bank, a radio, documents, cash and warm clothes.
  3. Agree a family meeting point and one contact outside the area whom everyone can call or message.
  4. In an earthquake, drop, cover and hold on under a solid table until the shaking stops, then leave calmly and keep away from buildings.
  5. In a windstorm, close shutters, keep away from windows, and avoid trees, scaffolding and coastal roads.
  6. In a heatwave, stay indoors during the hottest hours, drink before you feel thirsty and check on older neighbors.
  7. Follow the official civil protection channel and keep calls short, so the network stays open for emergency traffic.

Never do this

  • Do not use elevators during an earthquake, a fire or a power warning.
  • Do not go outside to film the event.
  • Do not ignore an evacuation order because your house has never flooded or burned before.

Call emergency services if

  • Anyone trapped, injured or missing after the event.
  • A collapsed structure, a gas leak or a downed power line.
  • A vulnerable neighbor who is alone and not answering.

Common questions

How much water should I store?

About three liters per person per day for drinking and basic hygiene, for at least three days.

Will the cell network work?

Often yes, but it will be congested. Text messages get through when calls do not, so agree in advance that a short message means everyone is safe.

Next cards

Sources and standards

Use at your own risk. For education and research only, not medical advice. Check the numbers and rules for the country you are in. They change. Before you rely on these cards, have a medical professional or a fire safety specialist review them.