Today is one of two National PrepareAthon! Days held annually to help build a more resilient nation by increasing the number of individuals who understand which disasters could happen in their community, know what to do to be safe and mitigate damage, take action to increase their preparedness, and participate in community resilience planning.
Below are some tips and facts to help with this goal and to help you be better prepared no matter where you may be.
Disaster Facts:
- Extreme weather events have increased in frequency in the past 50 years and are expected to become even more common, more intense, and more costly.
- Between 1900 and 2014, the United States experienced 38 earthquakes, 166 floods, and 568 storms (including tropical cyclones).
- In 2012, the United States was struck by 936 tornadoes, causing about $1.6 billion in damages.
- In 2013, there were more than 440 weather-related fatalities and nearly 2,800 injuries.
The Cost of Being Unprepared:
- In 2013, deadly weather caused more than $8 billion in property damage.
- According to the Insurance Information Institute, an estimated 25 percent of all businesses affected by a major disaster never reopen.
- Failure to prepare for extreme weather events has cost the United States $1.15 trillion in economic losses from 1980 to 2010 and could cost another trillion dollars in coming years.
Other Research Findings:
- Despite an increase in weather-related disasters, only 39 percent of respondents have developed and discussed an emergency plan with their household.
- Drills, exercises, and trainings are key tools that help the brain acquire skills that enable individuals to better overcome shock and support crisis response.
Where do you stand when it comes to preparedness?
Research shows that poeple are more prepared for a disaster if they:
- Are aware of community alerts and warning systems;
- Talk about their preparedness plan with family and others;
- Attend trainings and meetings; and
- Participate in a drill or exercise.
Increase your family's protection
Based on the 2012 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Survey, 54 percent of the U.S. population do not believe their community will experience a natural disaster.26 Only 39 percent have a plan they have discussed with their family members, and almost 50 percent do not have supplies set aside in their home for use in a disaster. Unfortunately, a disaster will likely impact you at some point in your life, and when it does, you may only have seconds to respond. Your family, friends, and community are depending on you if a disaster happens. Are you ready to act?
Do Something Today!
Today is to be a day of action! A day to do something to help you, your family, or your organization be better prepared for when a disaster strikes. Here's a visual provided by America's PrepareAthon! on ideas of something you can do today.