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Nature can be just as vicious as it is beautiful. Storms, earthquakes and other natural disasters wreak havoc across the world on a regular basis. They don't destroy street signs and leave the water tower though, so it's always smart to be prepared for the inevitable. You don't want to be caught without the necessities. On this page we'll show you where to get supplies and how to prepare for tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes and floods.
See a selection of ready-made survival kits.
Nitro-Pak
 offers a wide variety of disaster prep and survival products, from survival kits, first aid, and ready to eat foods to water filters, solar radios, shelter and heating.
OutInStyle.com also offers some disaster prep supplies, as well as a load of camping and outdoor gear for those who want to be prepared on every level. They have cooking products, first aid kits, food rations, liquid and food storage, medical and aupply storage, gas cans, tents, cots, blankets, sleeping bags, portable toilets, lighting gear and a lot more. 
CompactAppliance.com carries a wide selection of portable generators. Click here to see some of their generators.
Promolife - Disaster preparation items like water storage bladders, water sanitizers, and portable hot showers.
72Hours.org is a tremendous site that tells you how to be prepared for a wide variety of situations.
Tornadoes and hurricanes can cause massive amounts of damage in a short period of time. Tornadoes can strike almost anywhere there is sky and hurricanes have the power to come inland. It's important to be prepared so you can be as safe as possible when one hits. Here are some basics.
- Go over your plan with your family. They need to be able to follow through if you are not there.
- If your insurance even bothers to offer it, make sure you're covered for tornadoes or hurricanes. Pay attention to water damage and wind damage clauses - they may cancel each other out by claiming the other is responsible!
- Practice occasional tornado and hurricane drills before severe weather hits so everyone knows what to do.
- In a tornado, take cover in the lowest level of your house as far away from outside walls as you can. A basement or underground shelter is best but if those are not an option, pick an interior closet, bathroom or hallway. In a hurricane, put as many walls in between you and the storm as possible. If you can, evacuate before the hurricane hits. Once it's there, don't leave the house if you don't have to.
- Use a mattress or something similar to cover yourself to protect from potential flying debris.
- Stay far away from glass, including windows, mirrors, skylights or even aquariums.
- Keep a wrench handy close to the gas meter and know how to turn it off. If a tornado busts a gas line it can cause a tremendous fire.
- Keep an emergency kit that includes candles, flashlights, a battery operated radio (a weather band radio is good), blankets, water and extra batteries.
- Don't go outside. If you're in a car, get out and lie down in a ditch. A tornado will beat a car any day, and even if it stays away from you, you could get nailed by flying debris. There is more warning for hurricanes, so don't be out on the road at all if it is extremely close.
- If you can afford a small battery operated television, add one of those to your kit.
Other important information:
1. As far as we've come with warning systems and sirens, we're still way behind. Don't wait for a siren to take cover from a tornado. Sometimes they don't go off at all, or go off too late for your area. If the weatherman says a hurricane is coming, make sure you're ready or leave the area.
2. Leave a mobile home during a tornado watch and find a safer place to stay until it's over.
3. Keep windows closed. It is a myth that open windows will decrease the effects of a tornado. It can actually make matters worse.
4. Do not hide in a drain pipe or under an overpass. The suction in those places can actually be much higher as the space is compressed. If there is flooding, you can drown in a pipe.
If you want to look into storm shelters, here are some good links:
Flatsafe.com - Offering FEMA approved, below ground human safes that can go into existing homes and take up no room.
StormSafeRoom.com - Offering above ground hurricane and tornado safe rooms.
TornadoGuard.com - Below ground, vented storm shelters.
USStormShelters.com - offering safe rooms and below ground options.
Building a Safe Room
Earthquakes strike with no warning, with varying degrees of violence. You can't stop one or get out of the way easily, but you can prepare yourself to minimize the risks as much as humanly possible.
Make sure shelves are securely fastened to the wall and that large and heavy objects are on lower shelves. Any breakable items should be kept in low, closed and latched cabinets. Make sure overhead lights are braced and repair any bad electrical wiring or gas connections. If your home has structural defects, consult an expert.
When an earthquake hits, take cover! Get under something sturdy, whether it's a doorway, sturdy furniture, or against an inside wall. Stay away from glass and heavy objects. Stay inside until the shaking stops. If you're outside, get away from buildings, trees, overpasses, power lines or elevated roadways. If you're in a car, stay inside and slowly drive to a clear place. Once the shaking is over, avoid ramps and bridges and continue with extreme caution.
Make sure everyone in your family knows how and when they should turn off electricity, gas and water. Know which station to tune into for emergency information. Check for injuries on yourself and others and wear long sleeves, pants, gloves and boots if you can to protect yourself further.
Keep a disaster kit. You'll need a flashlight and extra batteries, a battery-powered radio, a first aid kit, canned and non perishable food, several gallons of water at least for each person and/or a water filtration system, essential medications, cash and your credit card, anything necessary for infants, the elderly or the disabled in the family, rain gear, protective clothing, sturdy shoes and sleeping bags.
Have an emergency contact plan. If you get separated, you'll need a plan for meeting up again. Pick a friend or family member who is out of state to act as a relay if necessary and make sure everyone has that number.
Be prepared for aftershocks. These can happen hours, days, weeks or months after the initial earthquake.
Stay out of damaged buildings and clean up spilled has, bleach, medicine or flammable liquids as soon as you possibly can. If you smell gas or chemicals, leave the area. Open doors, closets and cupboards carefully, as items probably shifted. Inspect your entire house for structural damage, has leaks, electrical damage and water and sewer line damage.
Floods are very common and destructive. They can be local and impact a small community or they can attack multiple states and rivers at once. Some develop slowly while flash floods can form in just minutes. They can carry debris with them and are often much faster than they look.
You should always be aware of flood hazards no matter where you live, especially if you are in a low lying area, near a dam or near a water source. Even small creeks can be a problem in a flood. There is no state in the US that is immune to this risk.
You should familiarize yourself with the various warnings given for floods so you can be ready:
Flood Watch:
Flooding is possible. Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.
Flash Flood Watch:
Flash flooding is possible. Be prepared to move to higher ground; listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.
Flood Warning:
Flooding is occurring or will occur soon; if advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
Flash Flood Warning:
A flash flood is occurring; seek higher ground on foot immediately.
The following information comes from FEMA:
Before a Flood
To prepare for a flood, you should:
- Avoid building in a floodplain unless you elevate and reinforce your home.
- Elevate the furnace, water heater, and electric panel if susceptible to flooding.
- Install "check valves" in sewer traps to prevent flood water from backing up into the drains of your home.
- Construct barriers (levees, beams, floodwalls) to stop floodwater from entering the building.
- Seal walls in basements with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage.
During a Flood
If a flood is likely in your area, you should:
- Listen to the radio or television for information.
- Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move.
- Be aware of streams, drainage channels, canyons, and other areas known to flood suddenly. Flash floods can occur in these areas with or without such typical warnings as rain clouds or heavy rain.
If you must prepare to evacuate, you should do the following:
- Secure your home. If you have time, bring in outdoor furniture. Move essential items to an upper floor.
- Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so. Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
If you have to leave your home, remember these evacuation tips:
- Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.
- Do not drive into flooded areas. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. You and the vehicle can be quickly swept away.
Driving Flood Facts
The following are important points to remember when driving in flood conditions:
- Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling.
- One foot of water will float many vehicles.
- Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUV's) and pick-ups.
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