The emergency preparedness checklist
Six areas cover nearly every emergency: your risks, your household plan, supplies, alerts, your home and vehicle, and your documents. Work through them below, or let GridPrepped rank them for where you live.
The six areas
Start at the top. Each area stands on its own, so partial progress still counts.
Know your risks
- Look up the disasters that actually hit your ZIP code
- Learn which warnings your county issues and how they reach you
- Identify your evacuation zone and two routes out
- Note the nearest shelter, hospital, and fire station
Make the household plan
- Pick a meeting point near home and one outside the neighborhood
- Choose an out-of-area contact everyone can call or text
- Write down who picks up the kids and from where
- Plan for pets, medications, and anyone with mobility needs
Build your supplies
- 72-hour go-bag per person, by the door
- Two weeks of water and food at home where possible
- First aid kit and a 7-day supply of prescriptions
- Flashlights, batteries, power banks, and a manual can opener
Set up alerts and communication
- Turn on Wireless Emergency Alerts on every phone
- Sign up for your county's notification system
- Keep a NOAA weather radio with fresh batteries
- Agree on a text-first rule — texts get through when calls don't
Prepare home and vehicle
- Know how to shut off gas, water, and electricity
- Keep the gas tank above half during hazard season
- Secure heavy furniture and water heaters in quake country
- Clear defensible space if you're in a wildfire area
Protect documents and money
- Scan IDs, insurance, deeds, and medical records to secure storage
- Keep printed copies plus small bills in a waterproof pouch
- Photograph each room for insurance claims
- Review coverage — flood is almost never included by default
Which of these matters most where you live?
GridPrepped pulls FEMA National Risk Index ratings, NWS alerts, USGS seismic hazard, and wildfire activity for your ZIP code, then orders the checklist so your biggest gaps come first.
Start with my ZIP codeCommon questions
Where do I start if I've done nothing yet?
Three things this week: one gallon of water per person per day for three days, an out-of-area contact everyone memorizes or carries, and emergency alerts turned on. Everything else builds from there.
How much of this do I actually need?
It depends on your hazards. Someone in a hurricane evacuation zone needs different preparation than someone in a wildfire interface or an earthquake region. GridPrepped weights the checklist to your ZIP code so you work on what matters most first.
How long does it take to get prepared?
The plan itself takes about ten minutes. Supplies are best built over a few months by adding a couple of items to each grocery trip, rather than one expensive weekend.
Is the checklist free?
Yes. Building your plan, tracking supplies, and getting alerts for your saved locations are free. GridPrepped is supported by reader tips and affiliate links on supply items.
How do I keep the list from going stale?
Save it to a free account. GridPrepped tracks expiration dates on food, water, batteries, and medication, and emails you before they lapse.