Preparedness Information for Consumers
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Hurricanes, severe storms and COVID-19
September is National Preparedness Month. While FDA and other agencies work hard every day to help prepare the nation for potential threats, everyone can be involved in disaster readiness. Here are a few things you can do now:
- Become familiar with disasters that might occur where you live; plans for your community, workplace or school; and what HHS is doing.
- Download the Federal Emergency Management Agency's mobile app so you can send and receive real-time alerts and notifications; locate emergency shelters and disaster centers; prepare emergency checklists, family plans and reminders; and more.
- Make and test a family plan (e.g., communicating during an emergency).
- Make an emergency kit of supplies you’ll need for at least three days, including medical products.
- Participate in activities in your community.
Resources from FDA
- Hurricane Safety Checklist
- Hurricanes: Health and Safety
- Emergency Preparedness - Keeping Medications Safe (video - Feb 2016)
- Protect Food and Water During Hurricanes and Other Storms
- Natural Disaster Preparedness and Response
- Safe Drug Use After a Natural Disaster
- Medical Devices and Hurricane Emergencies
- FDA Offers Tips about Medical Devices and Hurricane Disasters (for consumers)
- Information Regarding Insulin Storage and Switching Between Products in an Emergency
- Medical Devices Requiring Refrigeration
- Plan, Prepare and Protect Your Pet Before, During and After an Emergency (don't miss the video!)
- Taking Care of Your Pets During Hurricanes and Floods
Emergency Preparedness and Response
Additional resources
- Natural Disasters, Severe Weather, and COVID-19
- The Power of Preparedness: Prepare Your Health
- How to make an emergency kit
- Create a family communication plan
- National Hurricane Center
- Public health emergency information from HHS
- Four Health and Safety Tips for Mass Gatherings
- Disaster Safety for Expecting and New Parents
- Preparedness and Safety Messaging for Hurricanes, Flooding, and Similar Disasters from CDC (for state, local, tribal, and territorial public health communicators)