Disaster Preparedness Month

Categories:: Special Interest
Tags:: Awareness Safety
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every September
Holiday emoji:: 🚨

Disaster Preparedness Month galvanizes action throughout September, urging individuals and communities to prepare for emergencies. Led by FEMA, this annual campaign highlights the importance of having a plan, building an emergency kit, and staying informed. Take action this month to secure your home and family against unexpected events.

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Expected Disaster Preparedness Month Deals

As Disaster Preparedness Month unfolds, the focus shifts from commercial deals to crucial community-wide efforts and essential supplies. Organizations like the American Red Cross and FEMA partner with retailers such as Lowe’s and The Home Depot to promote emergency kit components, offering educational resources and sometimes in-store discounts on items like batteries, flashlights, and water filters. Many local fire departments and emergency services host free workshops on first aid and evacuation routes. Non-profits often run donation drives for disaster relief funds, with corporate matching programs from companies like State Farm and Liberty Mutual. We will update this page with confirmed live initiatives as September approaches, directing readers to official resources for preparedness.

Platform Guide for Disaster Preparedness Month

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #DisasterPreparednessMonth. Share tips for emergency kits or local community resources.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #DisasterPreparednessMonth. Post real-time updates on local preparedness events or share FEMA’s latest guidance.

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #DisasterPreparednessMonth. Share workplace safety protocols or business continuity plans.

Disaster Preparedness Month Hero

James Lee Witt

James Lee Witt, appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1993, was the first director of FEMA to have prior experience as a state emergency management director. He transformed the agency from a political dumping ground into a respected, professional organization focused on preparedness and response. His leadership emphasized proactive measures and community engagement, laying groundwork for modern disaster preparedness initiatives.

History of Disaster Preparedness Month

Disaster Preparedness Month is a month-long campaign that runs for the whole of September. It was initiated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in 2004 to promote the importance of being prepared for large-scale emergencies. September was chosen due to the U.S. Government emphasizing the importance of personal survival measures following the 9/11 attacks in 2001.

Natural and large-scale man-made disasters affect hundreds of thousands of lives every year around the world, and each disaster will have lasting effects, be it mental, physical, or financial, on the people affected. FEMA once explained that the “work of emergency management is not only [their] responsibility, but that of the whole community, to prepare for inevitable disasters.” Government and disaster relief organizations are ready to help those who are impacted by such events, but as operations tend to be spread thinly during the worst disasters, you need to be just as ready to handle the situation, as the first line of safety begins at home.

To help prepare for a crisis, you need to know the effects that disasters may inflict upon you and your home. For example, forest fires require you to pinpoint evacuation sites and necessary objects to remove from your home, while hurricanes can shatter windows and send flying glass throughout your household. Prevention methods such as barricading the windows and removing fire hazards from your home can be effective in minimizing the effects of disaster, but it all depends on how you deal with it, and what measures you take in the aftermath. Therefore, proper planning and prevention measures may help minimize the impact of a disaster on your home and your loved ones and ensure your safety and survival. Disaster Preparedness Month is bookended by National Preparedness Day on September 30.

Disaster Preparedness Month timeline

1979

The Birth of FEMA

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is established.

2004

The First Disaster Preparedness Month

FEMA holds the first Disaster Preparedness Month, managed and sponsored by their Ready Campaign.

2017

Historic Hurricanes

The U.S. experiences one of the worst hurricane seasons of the 21st century, as Hurricanes Maria, Irma, and Harvey wreak havoc in the Southern U.S. and its Caribbean territories, resulting in $206.6 billion in damages and 3,369 deaths.

2018

The Recovery Act

The U.S. Congress enacts the Disaster Reform Recovery Act, which aims to strengthen disaster preparedness measures and streamline FEMA's operations.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Disaster Preparedness Month

Local businesses can play a crucial role in Disaster Preparedness Month by educating their employees and customers. Retailers can create ’emergency kit’ bundles or offer discounts on essential supplies like flashlights, batteries, and non-perishable food. Service providers can host free workshops on topics like cybersecurity preparedness for small businesses or basic first aid. Restaurants might offer special ‘comfort food’ discounts to local first responders. Engaging with local emergency services for joint awareness campaigns can also boost community resilience and demonstrate corporate responsibility.

Disaster Preparedness Month FAQs

When is Disaster Preparedness Month?

Disaster Preparedness Month runs throughout September 2026, encouraging everyone to take proactive steps to safeguard their homes and families against potential emergencies.

How many Americans are prepared for a disaster?

According to a 2023 FEMA survey, only about 48% of American households have developed and discussed an emergency plan, highlighting a significant gap in national preparedness efforts for 2026.

What is the economic impact of natural disasters?

Natural disasters in the U.S. can incur staggering costs, with 2023 alone seeing 28 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disaster events. This trend underscores the urgent need for robust preparedness in 2026 to mitigate financial devastation.

What are the three basic steps for disaster preparedness?

FEMA outlines three core steps: 1) Make a plan, 2) Build a kit, and 3) Stay informed. These actions are fundamental for ensuring safety and resilience for any emergency in 2026.

How to Observe Disaster Preparedness Month

Create emergency plans
It is important to formulate emergency plans that can be put into action when disaster strikes. Such measures can include deciding on specific meeting points to evacuate to in case communication lines are compromised or having a list of emergency contacts.
Prepare emergency kits
You must ensure that the members of your household have adequate food, water, and medical supplies to weather a disaster. Identify the necessary measures and objects that are crucial to your survival and collect or list them so that when the time comes, you are well stocked.
Keep up to date
Pay attention to news updates and alerts regarding potential natural disasters or such hazards in your area. This can help you prepare thoroughly for when the event occurs and can help you evacuate and handle the situation safely

5 Facts About The Worst Natural Disasters In U.S. History

America’s worst natural disaster
The worst natural disaster in U.S. history was the Galveston Hurricane in 1900, which affected 37,000 residents and claimed between 6,000 and 8,000 lives.
Billions in damages
Hurricane Katrina is the costliest U.S. natural disaster in history, causing damages totaling $182.5 billion.
Record burning
Around 10.1 million acres of land were burned during the 2020 California wildfires, which is the United States' deadliest wildfire season of the 21st century.
Strongest twisters
The U.S. states of Alabama and Oklahoma have experienced the most F5 tornadoes, the largest category of tornadoes, since 1950.
A natural phenomenon
A series of violent earthquakes shook the state of Missouri in 1812 and made the Mississippi River flow backward for a few hours.

Why Disaster Preparedness Month is Important

It reminds us to always be ready
Disaster Preparedness Month reminds us to always be alert and ready when disaster strikes. Because disasters tend to be unpredictable, it always helps to spend a few moments of your day formulating plans and preventive measures to ensure that you'll weather the event safely.
It improves our disaster preparation skills
The month-long campaign pushes us to be thorough in our emergency planning. By working out a clear, proper plan beforehand including identifying the necessary supplies, shelters, and relief organizations, you are sharpening your ability to prepare for future disasters, which will benefit everyone in your home.
The month helps us approach disasters in a calmer manner
Having clear plans and identifying the supplies, relief organizations, and shelters needed to weather the disaster, can help reduce fear and anxiety during evacuation so that the process would not become chaotic and messy. Panic tends to exacerbate disaster outcomes, so always remember to keep yourself as collected as possible.