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National Preparedness Month dedicates every September to encouraging Americans to prepare for potential disasters and emergencies. Take action to build an emergency kit, create a family communication plan, and stay informed about local risks.
Want to sponsor National Preparedness Month? Learn how
Expected National Preparedness Month Deals
Throughout National Preparedness Month, many retailers and organizations offer resources and special promotions to help families and communities get ready. Look for deals on emergency supplies at stores like Lowe’s and The Home Depot, often featuring discounts on generators, water filters, and first-aid kits. Organizations like the American Red Cross and FEMA provide free guides and workshops on emergency planning. Insurance providers like State Farm and Allstate may highlight home preparedness tips and offer consultations. Local hardware stores and outdoor retailers like REI often stock survival gear and non-perishable food. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as September approaches.
Platform Guide for National Preparedness Month
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NatlPreparednessMonth. Share your family’s emergency plan or a photo of your preparedness kit.
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Mention @NatlToday and use #NatlPreparednessMonth. Share quick tips for emergency readiness and local alerts.
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NatlPreparednessMonth. Post visuals of preparedness steps, like packing a go-bag or securing your home.
National Preparedness Month Hero
James Lee Witt
History of National Preparedness Month
The roots of the word disaster can be traced back to Ancient Greek and a word that translates to ‘bad star.’ This is in reference to the idea that bad things happen because of the position of the planets.
A disaster, a calamity, an emergency, is an event that causes widespread human, material, economic, and/or environmental damage. This event can be a short-term or long-term one. Earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, fires, and even terrorist attacks are all classified as such. Whatever the cause, the result of such a disaster devastates societies, changing life as we know it. In some cases, disasters have also been known to change history as we know it.
Some of the worst disasters in American history include the Great Mississippi River Flood of 1927. A levee burst, causing a torrent. This then took out other levees on the way south, flooding over 165 million acres. This flood resulted in Congress enacting the Flood Control Act the year after this disaster, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was given the responsibility for flood control on the Mississippi River.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) created the National Preparedness Month (NPM) three years after the September 11 attacks to encourage every American to plan for emergencies. This month is managed and sponsored by FEMA’s Ready Campaign. They chose September for its historical significance and the fact that the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season is in the middle of this month.
FEMA, for its part, has been around since the 1800s — as a legislative act, initially, and was officially launched by President Jimmy Carter in 1979. The September terror attacks spurred the creation of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and FEMA became an agency under this department.
National Preparedness Month timeline
The American Red Cross's response to the Johnstown Flood is the first time this agency has mobilized for a peacetime effort.
An earthquake hits San Francisco and is labeled one of the worst natural disasters in the history of the United States.
America realizes the need for a centralized emergency management system after repeated major natural disasters in the 1960s and 1970s; President Jimmy Carter signs an executive order establishing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
In response to the 9/11 attacks, President Bush creates a new agency, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS); FEMA is taken under this department.
FEMA establishes the National Preparedness Month (NPM), which is managed and sponsored by FEMA’s Ready Campaign, in conjunction with the Ad Council.
National Preparedness Month FAQs
When is National Preparedness Month?
National Preparedness Month 2026 runs throughout September, from Tuesday, September 1, to Wednesday, September 30, encouraging proactive readiness for all.
How many Americans are prepared for a disaster?
According to FEMA’s 2025 National Household Survey, approximately 50-60% of American households have taken at least three basic preparedness actions, such as gathering supplies or having an emergency plan.
What is the economic impact of natural disasters in the US?
The economic impact of natural disasters in the U.S. is substantial, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reporting 28 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disasters in 2023 alone, totaling over $92.9 billion in damages.
What are the four steps of preparedness?
The four core steps of preparedness, as outlined by Ready.gov, are: Make a Plan, Build a Kit, Stay Informed, and Get Involved. These steps cover everything from family communication to community volunteering.
How To Celebrate National Preparedness Month
Get ready for any event
With the incidences of natural disasters rising year after year, it makes sense for every citizen to prepare themselves. Visit official websites like Ready.gov, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to learn more about how to reduce risks to life and property in the event of any major disaster.
Run mock safety drills
Test out your safety plan, build a disaster kit with all the essentials, and run your loved ones — especially the kids — through what to do if disaster hits. This can give you a better chance of emerging on the other side with minimal losses.
Support community preparedness
Look around, and we are sure you will find multiple ways to get involved long before disaster strikes. You can volunteer at the Red Cross, for your Neighborhood Watch, at the local fire station, or even visit the Citizen Corps to get a better sense of how your talents can be used.
5 Facts About American Emergency Preparedness
Americans are better prepared now
The 2016 National Household Survey showed 75% of Americans have disaster supplies in their homes.
Yet, many don't have a safety plan
The National Household Survey of 2016 revealed that less than 50% of Americans created a household emergency plan.
Preparedness for businesses
Organizations can become National Preparedness Month Coalition Members; all they have to do is agree to participate in any preparedness activity or event in September.
Natural disasters are on the rise
Injury Facts shows 67,504 weather-related problems — like flash floods, tropical storms, and heatwaves, in 2019.
Insurance against disasters are rising too
The FEMA Annual Preparedness Survey, 2020 says 77% of adults surveyed have homeowners or renters insurance policies, and 22% have flood insurance.
Why We Love National Preparedness Month
Everybody is trained to have a game plan
In the event a disaster hits, every second will count. The lessons — and the safety plan — we create during National Preparedness Month can help every household be better prepared for different disasters.
The community is safer
Learning how to protect yourself is the smartest step you can take to help your community. The more people that are prepared, the faster your community can recover from the effects of the disaster.
We reduce losses … and fear
Fear and panic increase the losses brought on by the disaster. Simple Preparedness activities like floodproofing the house and securing items that can shake loose in the event of earthquakes can reduce the damage.
National Preparedness Month dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | September 1 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | September 1 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | September 1 | Friday |
| 2029 | September 1 | Saturday |
| 2030 | September 1 | Sunday |
Social Media Tips for National Preparedness Month
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