Will Your Neighborhood Really Be Prepared For The Next Disaster?

The honest answer is: probably not as prepared as people think.

Here’s how to tell whether your neighborhood is truly ready for the next disaster (whether it’s wildfire, hurricane, flood, earthquake, severe storm, or extended power outage).

Do Your Neighbors Know Each Other?

In real disasters, neighbors are always the first responders.

Ask yourself:

• Do you know the names of at least 5–10 households in the area?
• Do you know who is older, disabled, or medically dependent?
• Is there a group chat, email list, or phone tree?

If people mostly keep to themselves, response time and coordination suffer.

Is There a Community Plan?

Prepared neighborhoods often have:

• A shared emergency contact list
• A designated meeting point
• Evacuation routes, everyone understands
• A communication backup plan if cell service fails

If no one’s ever talked about it, there probably isn’t one.

Are People Personally Prepared?

Most households lack:

• 3–7 days of food and water
• Flashlights + batteries
• Backup power
• First aid supplies
• Fire extinguishers

Prepared individuals = resilient neighborhood.

Infrastructure Reality Check

Consider:

• How quickly does your area flood after heavy rain?
• Are power outages common?
• Is there only one road in/out?
• Are trees poorly maintained near power lines?
• Are there bridges or culverts that could impact your travel?

Disaster preparedness isn’t just about supplies — it’s about structural risk.

Does Your Local Government Communicate Well?

• Are there emergency text alerts?
• Has the community done drills?
• Are shelters clearly identified?

If information is hard to find, the response will likely be chaotic.

The Hard Truth: Most communities are reactive rather than proactive.
Preparedness usually improves after a disaster, not before.

But here’s the good news:

Even one motivated person can significantly increase neighborhood resilience.

You can:

• Start a simple emergency contact list.
• Host a short preparedness meeting.
• Create a neighborhood group chat.
• Share basic preparedness checklists.
• Coordinate bulk purchases of supplies.

Preparedness spreads socially.

Stay Vigilant and Be Prepared

You play a critical role in your preparedness. By preparing yourself for the unexpected, you will become more self-reliant and a valuable asset to your community.