September marks National Preparedness Month, an annual observance encouraging individuals, families, and communities to prepare for disasters and emergencies. This year, the American Red Cross is emphasizing the importance of preparedness in the face of increasingly frequent and severe natural disasters. From hurricanes and wildfires to floods and tornadoes, ensuring you're ready for the unexpected has never been more critical.

According to climate experts, natural disasters are becoming more intense due to the effects of the climate crisis.  This year, experts forecasted active wildfires and hurricanes — predictions that are proving to be true. In July, Hurricane Beryl broke records as the earliest Category 5 storm ever recorded and in early August, Hurricane Debby brought widespread flooding to much of the East Coast. So far in 2024, 2.7 million more acres of land have been burned by wildfires compared to all of 2023. Plus, 2024 is on track to be the hottest year on record, according to experts. Altogether in 2024, the U.S. experienced 19 climate disasters, each with losses of over a billion dollars — more than double the average from the last 40 years.

The American Red Cross is at the forefront of disaster response, providing shelter, food, and comfort to those affected. But preparedness starts long before the storm hits. That's why the Red Cross urges every household to take action now—because being prepared can make all the difference when minutes count.

Steps to Get Ready

The Red Cross encourages everyone to follow these essential steps to be better prepared:

1.       Plan to Stay Safe: depending on the emergency, you may need to stay in place or find safe shelter elsewhere. If you need to leave your home, locate a safe place to stay, navigate how you will get there and what supplies you'll need to take with you. Listen to local authorities and plan in advance if you need help leaving or need to use public transportation. Don't forget to include pets in your plans.

2.       Gather supplies: organize essential supplies – like food, water and medicine – into a go-kit and a stay-at-home kit. Your go-kit should include three days of supplies that you can take with you. Your stay-at-home kit should have two weeks of food, water and one month's supply of medications, if possible. Customize your kit to meet your family's specific needs, e.g., if you have young children, include formula and diapers, or if you have pets, remember to include leashes, pet food, bowls, litter and a litter box.

3.       Stay Connected: Make a plan to reconnect with loved ones if you are separated or if the phone or internet is down. Have a backup battery or another way to charge your cell phone and a battery-powered or hand-crank radio so you can stay informed by monitoring the local news. Write down important phone numbers on a contact card or in a notebook and carry it with you.

This National Preparedness Month, we encourage everyone to take these simple steps to protect their homes, families, and communities. Together, we can be stronger in the face of adversity and better prepared for the future.

For more resources and to get started on your preparedness journey, visit redcross.org/prepare or download the free Red Cross Emergency App, which provides real-time alerts and information to help keep you safe.