National Preparedness Month: From Hurricanes to Winter Storms, Is Your Home Ready?

Blog posted On September 03, 2026

This September, we’re taking part in National Preparedness Month, an annual campaign launched in 2004 that seeks to educate and prepare people for all types of emergencies, including national disasters like earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, and wildfires. We specifically want to empower homeowners by providing tips on safeguarding properties and keeping your family members safe. No matter where you live, the unexpected can happen to anyone.

Ways to Celebrate National Preparedness Month

1. Make an emergency plan.

It’s important to lay out a three-step emergency plan with your family/household members. First, you’ll want to discuss how to prepare and respond to the most common types of emergencies (hurricane, wildfire, flood). Second, identify responsibilities for each member of your house and how you’re function as a team. And third, run through practice scenarios to perfect the process, even if you never have to use it for real.

2. Create an emergency supply kit.

An emergency kit is an easy project to complete with your family in one afternoon! Here are a few essentials recommended from the National Weather Service:

• Water (one gallon per person)
• Food (several-day non-perishable supply)
• Can opener
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio
• First aid kit
• Flashlight w/ extra batteries
• Local maps
• Dust mask
• Wrench/pliers
• Moist towelettes and garbage bags
• Back-up medications
• Cash
• Copies of family documents in a waterproof container

3. Make a home emergency FAQ that’s easily accessible.

Whether it’s a digital document or family binder that you keep in your kitchen or living room, it’s important to list out and answer the below questions in case of an emergency:

• Where is your main water shutoff?
• Where is your electrical panel?
• Where are your fire extinguishers?
• What’s your family’s evacuation route?
• Where are your important documents?
• Who are your emergency contacts?

4. Safeguard your home!

There’s plenty of homeowning advice centered around weather-related disasters. For instance, make sure to have your home’s water source inspecting after a flood, whether you drink from a private well or septic system. Be sure to read up on the EPA website for further details! If you’re adding emergency renovations to your home, you’ll also want to ensure that your contractors are using lead-safe work practices, especially if your property was built before 1978. Sanding, cutting, and demolition can all create lead-based paint hazards, which is harmful to all adults and children.

5.  How to Prepare for Region-Specific Disasters

It’s helpful to know what types of natural disasters are more common in your area. Here are a few tips for wildfires, severe storms/tornados, floods, hurricanes in order to weather the weather!

• Wildfires
  • Clear combustible debris around your home
  • Keep gutters and roofs clear
  • Know evac routes
• Tornados/Storms
  • Identify your safest interior room
  • Keep away from windows
  • Have your emergency kit in an accessible area
  • Set up local emergency alerts
• Floods
  • Know your property’s flood zone
  • Keep valuables and important documents in waterproof containers
  • Do not drive or walk through floodwater
  • Review insurance coverage
• Hurricanes
  • Secure outdoor belongings
  • Weatherproof windows and doors
  • Clear gutters and drains

??Emergency Pro Tip: Looking to update your home with enhanced weather protections? We offer an array of renovation options, including cash-out refinancing, two FHA 203(k) programs, and the VA Renovation Loan just to name a few.

Feeling Ready?

We hope these tips have been helpful. Even if disaster never strikes, it’s imperative to be prepared for the worst. We encourage you to reach out with any home-related questions and to research on your own to safeguard your home specific to where you live. Always be prepared!