Natural disasters can strike communities across the country at any time. Wildfires have already burned 6.4 million acres in 2026, more than all of 2025, and peak fire season has not yet arrived. As nearly four in 10 Americans say their community has been affected by severe weather in the past year, now is the time to prepare for a natural disaster in case you have to quickly evacuate your home or shelter in place.
September is National Preparedness Month, an annual reminder for individuals, families and communities to take small steps now that can make a large difference if a disaster strikes. Here are three tips to prepare for the unexpected.
Create an Emergency Plan.
Developing an emergency plan can help reduce stress and save time during a disaster. Start by identifying the natural disasters most likely to affect your community and how you will receive official guidance on whether to evacuate or shelter in place. Sit down with your household to choose an evacuation route and meeting place in case you’re separated when it occurs. This could be an area near your home to evacuate from for wildfires or a relative’s home that’s a safe distance away in case of flooding. Practice your evacuation route and find alternatives in case roads are blocked due to a disaster. Customize your plan around your household’s daily needs to accommodate young children, older adults, people with disabilities or pets.
Build a Disaster Kit.
After an emergency or during an evacuation, you may need to need to be prepared to rely on your own supplies for several days. Prepare early by building a disaster kit that includes the basic items your household may need: one gallon of water per person per day for several days, multiple days’ worth of non-perishable food, a battery-powered radio with extra batteries, flashlights and first aid supplies. If you have pets, be sure to pack food and other necessities. If possible, also consider keeping backup supplies of prescription medications and a small amount of cash, as power outages can disrupt access to banks or ATMs.
Review Insurance Policies and Gather Documents.
Before a disaster strikes, review your homeowners or renters insurance policies so you know what is covered if your home or possessions are damaged. Make sure you understand your policy’s deductibles and limits, and consider whether additional coverage, like flood insurance, is needed. Always be sure to connect with your insurance company to talk through the specifics of your policy and any recent changes. It’s also important to organize key records, including bank account information, property 
records and identification documents like Social Security cards. Keep physical copies in a secure location like your disaster kit, and back up digital copies if possible.
For more tips to prepare for natural disasters, explore ready.gov or contact your local home builders association HERE.