Learn how to protect your family with a comprehensive emergency plan, backed by expert gear recommendations from Mountain Ready's 12 Pillars of Preparedness.
Natural disasters strike without warning across every region of the United States. From hurricanes and tornadoes to wildfires and earthquakes, Mother Nature's unpredictable forces can threaten your family's safety in minutes. Whether you're in the mountains of South Carolina or the plains of Texas, having a family emergency plan isn't just smart—it's essential for survival.
At Mountain Ready, we've seen firsthand how proper disaster evacuation planning saves lives. Our veteran-owned team has curated the most reliable emergency gear and developed educational resources to help families like yours stay prepared. This comprehensive guide will walk you through creating a family emergency plan that could mean the difference between panic and survival when disaster strikes.
What's in a Family Emergency Plan?
A family emergency plan is your roadmap to safety during crisis situations. It's a comprehensive action plan that outlines preparations, communications, and procedures your family will follow during a disaster. When seconds count, having a rehearsed plan eliminates confusion and saves precious time.
An effective family emergency plan ensures:
- Your family evacuates quickly and safely
- Everyone knows what emergency supplies to grab
- Family members can reunite if separated
- Critical decisions are made in advance, not during crisis
Mountain Ready Tip: At Mountain Ready, we align our emergency planning with the 12 Pillars of Preparedness—ensuring your plan covers shelter, water, fire, food, first aid, security, communications, navigation, tools, energy, skills, and community support.
1. Written Evacuation Plan
Evacuation timing can mean life or death. While hurricanes may give you days to prepare, wildfires or tornadoes can demand immediate action. Your evacuation plan must account for both scenarios.
Evacuation Routes
Never rely on GPS during emergencies—cellular networks often fail. Plan multiple evacuation routes that avoid hazard-prone areas like floodplains or wildfire corridors. Scout these routes during normal conditions and time your travel.
Transportation Options
Vehicle breakdowns happen at the worst times. Your plan should include:
- Primary vehicle evacuation route
- Alternative transportation (walking, cycling, public transit)
- Backup arrangements with family or neighbors
- Local emergency transportation services
Home Protection Protocols
If time permits, assign specific tasks to family members:
- Unplug appliances and electronics
- Shut off gas and utilities
- Secure windows and doors
- Move valuables to higher floors (flood risk)
Remember: If authorities order immediate evacuation, leave everything behind. Your family's lives are irreplaceable—your possessions are not.
Special Considerations
Evacuating with Children
Children mirror adult emotions during crisis. Stay calm, explain the situation honestly but hopefully, and bring comfort items like favorite blankets or toys. Practice evacuation drills regularly so children know what to expect.
Elderly and Disabled Family Members
Plan for additional emergency supplies:
- Mobility aids (wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs)
- Backup power for medical devices
- Extra medications and medical supplies
- Accessible transportation arrangements
Pet Evacuation
Many emergency shelters don't accept pets. Research pet-friendly shelters in advance and prepare:
- Pet carriers or leashes for each animal
- Food and water for 72+ hours
- Medications and veterinary records
- Comfort items and blankets
Meeting Locations
Establish primary and secondary meeting points outside your immediate area. Choose locations that are:
- Easy to find and remember
- Safe from potential hazards
- Accessible by multiple routes
- Well-known to all family members
2. Emergency Contact Plan
During disasters, local phone networks often become overwhelmed while long-distance lines remain operational. Your emergency contact plan should include multiple communication methods.
Out-of-State Emergency Contact
Designate 2-3 people living in different states as information relays. Ensure every family member has these numbers memorized and written down. When local calls fail, these contacts can help coordinate family communications.
Communication Equipment
Mountain Ready Recommendation: Don't rely solely on cell phones. Consider investing in emergency communication gear like:
- Two-way radios with extended range
- Weather radios with emergency alerts
- Satellite communication devices for remote areas
- Solar-powered charging systems for devices
3. Shelter Plan
Your evacuation plan must include predetermined shelter options at various distances from your home. Widespread disasters like hurricanes require evacuation to different counties or states.
Shelter Options
- Local emergency shelters (Red Cross, community centers)
- Friends and family in safer areas
- Hotels and motels outside danger zones
- Camping or RV facilities as backup options
Mountain Ready Tip: Keep an updated list of shelter options with contact information and driving directions. Our shelter gear collection includes compact emergency shelters, sleeping systems, and thermal protection for unexpected situations.
4. Build an Emergency Kit
Your emergency kit is your lifeline during the first 72 hours of any disaster. At Mountain Ready, we've carefully curated survival gear that performs when it matters most—because we don't carry anything we wouldn't trust in a real emergency.
Essential Emergency Kit Components
Water and Filtration
Store one gallon per person per day for at least three days. Include reliable water filtration systems from trusted brands like LifeStraw, Sawyer, and Grayl for long-term water security.
Food and Nutrition
Pack non-perishable foods that require no cooking. Our ReadyWise emergency food supplies offer nutritionally balanced meals with up to 25-year shelf life—perfect for both emergency kits and long-term storage.
Fire and Cooking
Include multiple fire starting methods that work in wet conditions. Black Beard Fire Starters and waterproof matches provide reliable ignition when you need it most.
First Aid and Medical
Equip your kit with professional-grade first aid supplies from My Medic and North American Rescue. Include prescription medications, trauma supplies, and basic medical tools.
Tools and Equipment
Pack essential tools from SOG and other trusted manufacturers:
- Multi-tools and fixed-blade knives
- Emergency flashlights and headlamps
- Rope, duct tape, and zip ties
- Manual can opener and eating utensils
Energy and Lighting
Ensure reliable power with Dark Energy portable power stations, Streamlight illumination tools, and solar charging systems. Include extra batteries for all devices.
Pre-Built vs. Custom Kits
While you can build custom emergency kits, pre-assembled systems save critical time during evacuations. At Mountain Ready, we create complete emergency solutions by combining the best gear across multiple trusted brands—giving you true compatibility and comprehensive preparedness in one package.
Mountain Ready Advantage: Unlike big brands that only sell their own products, we curate multi-brand systems that actually work together. Our VIP members get early access to new emergency kit configurations and exclusive preparedness bundles.
5. Important Papers to Keep in Case of Emergency
Protect vital documents in waterproof containers and create digital backups stored on cloud servers. Essential papers include:
- Social Security cards
- Birth certificates
- Passports and driver's licenses
- Insurance policies (home, auto, health)
- Bank account information
- Medical records and prescription lists
- Property deeds and wills
- Recent family photos for identification
Digital Security Tip: Scan all documents and store encrypted copies on secure cloud services. Include USB drives with document copies in your emergency kit for offline access.
6. Staying Informed
Information saves lives during emergencies. Multiple information sources ensure you receive critical updates even when some systems fail.
Official Alert Systems
- Emergency Alert System (EAS): Government alerts sent to radios and cell phones
- NOAA Weather Radio: Continuous weather and emergency updates
- Local Emergency Management: Community-specific evacuation and shelter information
- Social Media: Real-time updates from official sources
Communication Equipment for Information
Include battery-powered and hand-crank radios in your emergency kit. Weather radios with SAME technology provide location-specific alerts even during power outages.
Family Education: Teach all family members how to access these information sources. Children should know how to tune emergency radios and understand basic emergency signals.
Testing and Maintaining Your Family Emergency Plan
A plan that's never practiced is just wishful thinking. Regular drills and updates keep your family prepared for real emergencies.
Practice Schedule
- Monthly: Review evacuation routes and meeting locations
- Quarterly: Conduct full evacuation drills
- Bi-annually: Update emergency contacts and check kit expiration dates
- Annually: Refresh emergency supplies and review plan effectiveness
Plan Updates
Your family emergency plan should evolve with your changing needs:
- New family members or address changes
- Updated local hazard assessments
- Improved emergency gear and technology
- Lessons learned from local disasters
Mountain Ready: Your Partner in Emergency Preparedness
At Mountain Ready, we understand that emergency preparedness is more than just buying gear—it's about building resilience through education, community, and proven equipment. Our veteran-owned team has field-tested every product we carry, ensuring you get reliable gear that performs when your life depends on it.
Why Choose Mountain Ready for Your Emergency Planning?
- Curated for Survival: We vet every piece of gear so you don't have to
- Veteran-Owned Expertise: Real-world experience informs our selections
- Complete Systems: Multi-brand compatibility for comprehensive preparedness
- Educational Support: Blog content, guides, and videos to maximize your preparedness
- American-Made Priority: Supporting quality U.S. manufacturers when possible
Start Your Emergency Preparedness Journey
Ready to protect your family with proven emergency gear and expert guidance? Visit Mountain Ready to explore our curated collections across all 12 Pillars of Preparedness.
New to preparedness? Join our VIP membership for 12% off your first order, exclusive access to new gear drops, and ongoing educational content from our team of preparedness experts.
When disaster strikes, you want gear that works and knowledge that saves lives. At Mountain Ready, we're committed to keeping you Equipped. Prepared. Ready.