Where every fact comes from
Every figure and instruction in Ready in 7 Days, with its source (almost always official), the exact link and the day we checked it. If something changes or a link stops working, write to us at hola@guide72.com.
255 facts with their source · checked on 11/03/2026
Before you start
On April 28, 2025, at 12:33 p.m., the power went out across mainland Spain and Portugal.
Government of Spain, Report of the Committee for the analysis of the electricity crisis of April 28, 2025 (non-confidential version, June 2025, in Spanish) · consultado el 10/31/2026
In many homes the power did not come back until night or the early hours: restoration finished at 7:00 a.m. on the 29th.
Government of Spain, Report of the Committee for the analysis of the electricity crisis of April 28, 2025 (non-confidential version, June 2025, in Spanish) · consultado el 10/31/2026
Trains stopped on the track: between 30,000 and 35,000 passengers were evacuated.
EFE news agency, April 28, 2025 (republished by La Prensa de Panamá, in Spanish) · consultado el 10/31/2026
Many card readers and ATMs failed during the blackout.
European Central Bank, "Keep calm and carry cash", Economic Bulletin 6/2025 · consultado el 10/31/2026
FEMA asks households to keep supplies for several days: at least one gallon of water per person per day and food for at least 3 days.
The European Commission asks people to be able to cope on their own for at least 72 hours.
European Commission, Preparedness Union Strategy (March 2025) · consultado el 11/02/2026
The Preparedness Union Strategy plans guidelines for a population self-sufficiency of at least 72 hours.
European Commission, Preparedness Union Strategy, JOIN(2025) 130 final (March 26, 2025) · consultado el 11/02/2026
Evacuate immediately if the authorities tell you to.
65% of people surveyed in Spain had no emergency kit or anything like it at home before the blackout (a survey of people, not households).
Spanish Centre for Sociological Research (CIS), study 3513: snap survey on the April 28 blackout (April 29–30, 2025, 1,752 interviews, in Spanish) · consultado el 10/31/2026
42% (41.6%) missed something at home while the blackout lasted.
Spanish Centre for Sociological Research (CIS), study 3513: snap survey on the April 28 blackout (April 29–30, 2025, 1,752 interviews, in Spanish) · consultado el 10/31/2026
On the day of the blackout the Madrid Region fire brigade made more than 200 call-outs, most of them to get people out of elevators.
Madrid Region, 2025 report of the Fire Brigade (February 16, 2026, in Spanish) · consultado el 10/31/2026
For babies: ready-to-feed formula is the safest option in an emergency; keep bottled water to make up powdered formula.
CDC, Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies toolkit: checklist
For infants: diapers, wipes and diaper rash cream in the kit.
CDC, "Emergency Kit Checklist for Pregnant Women, Infants and Children"
Pets need food and water for several days, and an extra supply of their medication.
If someone depends on an electric medical device or refrigerated medicine, make a plan with their medical provider before the outage.
Talk to your doctor about a plan for medical devices that need power and for storing medicines during a blackout.
FEMA, "Be prepared for a power outage" (P-2199, December 2023, Spanish edition)
In February 2021, a winter storm left more than 4.5 million homes and businesses in Texas without power, some for several days.
Day 1 · The plan on paper
On April 28, phones not working was the second thing people missed most (55.5%).
Spanish Centre for Sociological Research (CIS), study 3513: snap survey on the April 28 blackout (April 29–30, 2025, 1,752 interviews, in Spanish) · consultado el 10/31/2026
Make a communication plan and keep a paper copy.
FEMA, "Be prepared for a power outage" (P-2199, December 2023, Spanish edition)
Make a family emergency plan with an out-of-state contact and a meeting place in case you get separated.
Day 2 · Water
Store at least one gallon of water per person per day, for several days, for drinking and sanitation.
Water: one gallon per person per day, for at least several days.
Keep commercially bottled water sealed in its original container, in a cool, dark place.
Water that is not commercially bottled should be replaced every 6 months.
Power outages can disrupt water services.
FEMA, "Be prepared for a power outage" (P-2199, December 2023, Spanish edition)
Day 3 · Food with no fridge
A refrigerator keeps food cold for about four hours if it stays closed.
Non-perishable food for at least 3 days.
Keep a manual can opener in the kit.
Never use a portable gas camp stove or burn charcoal indoors.
Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, and it can kill.
Use generators, camp stoves or charcoal grills only outdoors, at least 20 feet from windows, doors and garages.
FEMA, "Be prepared for a power outage" (P-2199, December 2023, Spanish edition)
35% (34.9%) of those who missed something said it was a way to cook without power.
Spanish Centre for Sociological Research (CIS), study 3513: snap survey on the April 28 blackout (April 29–30, 2025, 1,752 interviews, in Spanish) · consultado el 10/31/2026
Day 4 · Light and power
Have flashlights for every household member.
Use flashlights, lanterns and other battery-powered lights; do not use candles or a gas stove to heat your home.
FEMA, "Be prepared for a power outage" (P-2199, December 2023, Spanish edition)
Plan for batteries and other alternative power sources, such as a portable charger or power bank.
Keep cell phones and other electronics charged before an outage.
FEMA, "Be prepared for a power outage" (P-2199, December 2023, Spanish edition)
10% of those who missed something said it was flashlights, candles or something similar.
Spanish Centre for Sociological Research (CIS), study 3513: snap survey on the April 28 blackout (April 29–30, 2025, 1,752 interviews, in Spanish) · consultado el 10/31/2026
The CDC advises battery-powered flashlights and lanterns rather than candles, to reduce the risk of fire.
Day 5 · News without the internet
A battery-powered or hand-crank radio, and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert.
NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts continuous weather information from the nearest National Weather Service office, and also non-weather emergency alerts.
Keep extra batteries for radios and flashlights.
Calls to 112 in the Basque Country quadrupled in the first 4 or 5 hours of the blackout.
Basque Government, Director of Emergency Response, in Orain (EITB, April 29, 2025, in Spanish) · consultado el 10/31/2026
46.8% had no battery radio at home.
Spanish Centre for Sociological Research (CIS), study 3513: snap survey on the April 28 blackout (April 29–30, 2025, 1,752 interviews, in Spanish) · consultado el 10/31/2026
Save phone calls for emergencies; use text messages or social media instead.
Never run a car or truck in a garage attached to a house, even with the garage door open.
NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts warnings and weather information 24 hours a day from the nearest National Weather Service office, including alerts for non-weather emergencies.
Day 6 · Health, papers and cash
During the blackout many card readers and ATMs failed, and card payments fell by 41–42% in the affected areas.
European Central Bank, "Keep calm and carry cash", Economic Bulletin 6/2025 · consultado el 10/31/2026
Keep small bills on hand: ATMs and credit cards may not work during a disaster.
Power outages can close ATMs, banks and gas stations.
FEMA, "Be prepared for a power outage" (P-2199, December 2023, Spanish edition)
Important family documents, such as insurance policies, IDs and bank records, stored electronically or in a waterproof container.
Documents to keep: photo ID, insurance policies, health insurance information and a medication list.
A first aid kit in the basic kit.
Ask your medical provider how long medication can be stored at higher temperatures, and get guidance for any that is life-critical.
Prescription medications: at least a 2-week supply in the kit.
CDC, "Emergency Kit Checklist for Pregnant Women, Infants and Children"
Keep at least a 1-week supply of all prescription medications, and a cooler for refrigerated ones.
Day 7 and the Clock-Change Rule
Check the kit every six months and replace anything about to expire.
American Red Cross, "Be Red Cross Ready" guide (Spanish edition) · consultado el 10/31/2026
Replace expired items as needed, and reassess your family's needs once a year.
Check your supplies regularly and before forecast extreme weather.
FEMA, "Be prepared for a power outage" (P-2199, December 2023, Spanish edition)
Daylight saving time begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November; it is not observed in Hawaii, most of Arizona (the Navajo Nation does observe it), American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), "Daylight Saving Time Rules"
Shopping · Your budget and the one-hour minimum kit
The basic kit: water, food for at least 3 days, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, a flashlight, extra batteries, a first aid kit, a manual can opener, a phone charger and backup battery, and cash.
One gallon of water per person per day: 3 gallons each for three days, 6 for a household of two.
A hand-crank radio does the same job without depending on batteries.
Keep a small amount of cash at home, in small bills.
The power goes off: the blackout card
Have flashlights for every household member.
Use flashlights, lanterns and other battery-powered lights, not candles.
FEMA, "Be prepared for a power outage" (P-2199, December 2023, Spanish edition)
Keep freezers and refrigerators closed.
Turn off or disconnect appliances, equipment and electronics to avoid damage from surges when the power returns.
Unplug electrical and electronic devices to avoid damage from power surges; use surge protectors.
FEMA, "Be prepared for a power outage" (P-2199, December 2023, Spanish edition)
Use text messages instead of phone calls, and save calls for emergencies.
Check on family and neighbors if it is safe to do so.
FEMA, "Be prepared for a power outage" (P-2199, December 2023, Spanish edition)
A refrigerator keeps food cold for about 4 hours; a full freezer keeps its temperature for about 48 hours.
Throw away refrigerated food that has been at 40 °F or above for more than 4 hours. When in doubt, throw it out.
FEMA, "Be prepared for a power outage" (P-2199, December 2023, Spanish edition)
Throw out food with an unusual odor, color or texture.
If the power is out for more than a day, discard refrigerated medication unless the label says otherwise, and ask your doctor or pharmacist for a new supply.
Use generators, camp stoves or charcoal grills only outdoors, at least 20 feet from windows, doors and attached garages.
Never use a generator inside a home or garage, even with doors and windows open.
With the doors closed, food stays safe for about 4 hours in a refrigerator, 48 hours in a full freezer and 24 hours in a half-full freezer.
Thawed food that still contains ice crystals or is at 40 °F or below can be safely refrozen or cooked.
After 4 hours without power, throw out refrigerated meat, fish, cut fruits and vegetables, eggs, milk and leftovers.
You can't rely on appearance or odor to tell whether food is safe.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, "Food and Water Safety During Power Outages and Floods"
The water is off, or not safe to drink
Wet wipes, garbage bags and plastic ties, for personal sanitation.
Children, nursing mothers and sick people may need more water.
A boil water advisory means boiling tap water or using bottled water.
CDC, "Drinking Water Advisories: An Overview" (Spanish edition) · consultado el 10/31/2026
Pay attention to water advisories: boil water or use bottled water from your kit if needed.
FEMA, "Be prepared for a power outage" (P-2199, December 2023, Spanish edition)
Bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute; above 5,000 feet, for three minutes. Let it cool and store it in clean, covered containers.
If you cannot boil it, use regular, unscented chlorine bleach with 6% or 8.25% sodium hypochlorite, and a clean dropper.
Per quart: 2 drops of 6% or 8.25% bleach. Per gallon: 8 drops of 6% bleach or 6 drops of 8.25%.
Stir and let stand 30 minutes: the water should smell slightly of chlorine.
Double the bleach if the water is cloudy, colored or very cold; let cloudy water settle and filter it through a clean cloth first.
Do not use scented bleach, color-safe bleach or bleach with added cleaners.
Store water in food-grade containers.
Never mix bleach with ammonia or any other cleaner.
Do not store water in containers that held toxic chemicals, such as bleach or pesticides.
Extreme heat, maybe with no power
Extreme heat causes more deaths each year than any other weather-related hazard.
Find places in your community where you can get cool, such as libraries and shopping malls, and ask your local health department about cooling options.
Cover windows with drapes or shades.
Pick the coolest room in the house and spend time there.
WHO Europe, "Public health advice on preventing health effects of heat" (2011) · consultado el 11/02/2026
Visit or call older or sick people who live alone at least once a day.
WHO Europe, "Public health advice on preventing health effects of heat" (2011) · consultado el 11/02/2026
If you can't afford cooling costs, contact the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
If your home has no air conditioning, find a cooling center.
Cool showers, loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing and plenty of fluids; use the oven less.
Avoid high-energy activities and outdoor work during midday heat.
Check on family members, older adults and neighbors.
Heat stroke: body temperature above 103 °F, red, hot, dry skin, confusion or unconsciousness. Call 911, move the person somewhere cool and put cold, wet cloths on the head, neck, armpits and groin.
Heat exhaustion: heavy sweating, cramps, weakness, nausea. Move somewhere cooler and sip water; call your healthcare provider if symptoms get worse or last more than an hour.
Never leave people or pets in a closed car on a warm day.
Do not rely on a fan as your main cooling device.
Asphalt and dark pavement can be very hot on pets' feet.
A winter storm, maybe with no heat
Insulate, caulk and weather-strip, and learn how to keep pipes from freezing.
Install and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backups.
A Winter Storm Watch means a storm is possible; a Winter Storm Warning means hazardous winter weather is imminent or occurring.
Under a Winter Storm Warning, find shelter right away; stay off roads if at all possible.
Wear layers, and avoid overexertion when shoveling snow: it can cause a heart attack.
Hypothermia: shivering, drowsiness, confusion, slurred speech. A body temperature below 95 degrees is an emergency: go to a warm room and warm the center of the body first.
Frostbite: numbness, white or grayish-yellow skin, firm or waxy skin. Warm it with warm water or body heat; do not massage it or use a heating pad.
Never heat your home with a gas stovetop or oven.
Use generators and grills only outdoors, away from windows.
Never use a generator inside a home or garage.
Turn space heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room.
U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA), "Heating Fire Safety" handout
Do not drink alcohol to keep warm: it makes your body lose heat faster.
An alert goes off on your phone
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are free, need no subscription and come with a unique sound and vibration.
Older phones may not be WEA capable; some carriers call them "Government Alerts" or "Emergency Alert Messages", and some models need them enabled in settings.
For more information, NOAA Weather Radio and the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on radio and TV.
Sign up for community alerts.
The FEMA app sends National Weather Service alerts for up to five locations.
A battery-powered or hand-crank radio in the kit.
Heavy rain and the water is rising
Floods are the most common disaster in the United States. Turn Around, Don't Drown!
Check your flood risk on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center; flooding doesn't stop at map boundaries.
Standard homeowner's insurance doesn't cover flood damage; a flood policy can take up to 30 days to take effect.
Keep important papers in a waterproof container and move valuables to higher levels.
Evacuate immediately if told to, and never drive around barricades.
If trapped in a building, go to the highest level; go on the roof only if necessary, and signal for help.
Use NOAA Weather Radio, the EAS and local alerts.
If your car is trapped in fast-moving water, stay inside; if water is rising inside the car, get on the roof.
Return home only when authorities say it is safe.
Don't touch electrical equipment that is wet or while standing in water.
Throw away any food that has touched flood water.
WHO Europe, "Protecting your health before, during and after floods" (November 15, 2024) · consultado el 11/02/2026
Six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot can sweep a vehicle away.
Don't climb into a closed attic to escape rising water.
Stay off bridges over fast-moving water.
A wildfire is near
Keep a fire-resistant zone at least 30 feet around your home, free of leaves, debris and flammable materials.
Have an outdoor water source with a hose that reaches every area of the property.
Learn your evacuation routes and practice evacuating with your pets.
Pick a room that can be closed off from outside air, with a portable air cleaner, and keep an N95 mask on hand.
Evacuate immediately if authorities tell you to; find shelters through local authorities, the FEMA app or the Red Cross Emergency app.
Watch air quality alerts; if you are not ordered to evacuate, stay indoors in a safe place.
Return only when authorities say it is safe; avoid hot ash, smoldering debris and embers, and use a respirator during cleanup.
N95 or N95 masks protect against smoke particles.
WHO Europe, "Public health advice during the wildfires" (June 16, 2023) · consultado el 11/02/2026
Handle aerosols, cooking oils, rubbing alcohol and hand sanitizer carefully.
Follow local authorities' instructions.
Utilities may temporarily turn off power to specific areas to reduce the risk of fires caused by electric infrastructure (Public Safety Power Shutoffs).
California Public Utilities Commission, "Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS)"
A hurricane is coming
Storm surge is the leading cause of hurricane-related deaths in the United States.
Atlantic hurricane season: June 1 to November 30. Eastern Pacific: May 15 to November 30.
NOAA National Hurricane Center, "Tropical Cyclone Climatology"
In the western North Pacific, hurricanes are called typhoons.
NOAA National Hurricane Center, "Tropical Cyclone Climatology"
Know your evacuation zone, learn the routes and decide where you will stay.
Clear drains and gutters, bring in outdoor furniture and consider hurricane shutters.
Keep insurance policies and ID current, with copies in a password-protected digital space.
Keep your cell phone charged and get backup chargers.
Check on neighbors, senior adults and people who may need extra help.
In a mandatory evacuation zone, leave immediately when officials order it.
For high winds, take shelter in a designated storm shelter or an interior room.
If flooding traps you, go to the highest level of the building, but not into a closed attic.
Wear protective clothing during cleanup; children should not help with cleanup.
Don't touch wet electrical equipment or anything electrical while standing in water.
Don't walk, swim or drive through floodwater.
Rain, wind, water and tornadoes can affect you far inland.
Flooding is the main threat from tropical cyclones for people living inland; hurricane-force winds can reach well inland.
If not ordered to evacuate, take refuge in a small interior room, closet or hallway on the lowest level, and stay away from windows, skylights and glass doors.
National Weather Service (NOAA), "Actions to Take When a Tropical Storm or Hurricane Threatens"
A tornado warning
Tornadoes can happen anytime and anywhere, but the Midwest and Southeast face greater risk.
Identify and practice going to a safe shelter: a safe room or storm shelter, or else a small, interior, windowless room or a basement on the lowest level of a sturdy building.
Warning signs: a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud, an approaching cloud of debris, a loud roar like a freight train. If your community has sirens, learn their tone.
Include pets in your family emergency plan.
Go immediately to your safe place; stay away from windows, doors and outside walls.
Cover your head and neck with your arms, and put furniture and blankets around or over you.
In a car there is no safe option, only less dangerous ones: if the tornado is far away and traffic is light, drive at right angles to its path.
If you are caught, park out of traffic lanes, stay buckled in and keep your head below the windows, covered; or, if you can safely get noticeably lower than the road, lie there and cover your head.
Use text messages instead of calls, and stay clear of fallen power lines.
Clean up in thick-soled shoes, long pants and work gloves.
Don't shelter under bridges.
If an emergency could affect the road, avoid overpasses and bridges.
Sheds, storage facilities, mobile homes and tents are not safe in a tornado.
National Weather Service (NOAA), "What to do During a Tornado"
Do not shelter in large open rooms such as cafeterias, gymnasiums or auditoriums.
National Weather Service (NOAA), "What to do During a Tornado"
The ground shakes
Practice Drop, Cover, Hold On, for example in the Great ShakeOut drills.
Secure heavy items such as bookcases, refrigerators, water heaters and TVs.
Drop onto your hands and knees; cover your head and neck with one arm and crawl under a sturdy table, or next to an interior wall away from windows; hold on until the shaking stops.
With a walker or wheelchair: lock the wheels, get as low as you safely can and cover your head and neck.
Expect aftershocks and drop, cover and hold on again.
If the building is damaged, get out quickly, move away from it and don't go back in.
In coastal areas where tsunamis are possible, go inland or to higher ground as soon as the shaking stops.
If trapped, send a text or bang on a pipe or wall; use a whistle instead of shouting.
Watch for leaking gas and water lines and downed power lines.
Indoors, stay where you are and don't run outside.
Don't remove heavy debris alone.
Nearly 75% of the U.S. could experience damaging earthquake shaking; the hazard is greatest in the seismically active regions of California and Alaska, and in Hawaii.
You're told to leave home in 10 minutes
If local officials order an evacuation, your pets should evacuate too.
Many public shelters and hotels don't accept pets: identify a safe place to take them before a disaster.
Follow the evacuation routes and instructions of local authorities.
Never drive around barricades.
Texts may work better than calls and use less battery.
Scissors, plastic sheeting and duct tape, for sheltering in place.
The grab-and-go bag
Keep supplies, including a first aid kit, in a go bag or car trunk.
In the kit: a flashlight, a whistle to signal for help, a dust mask, a phone charger and backup battery, and copies of important documents in a waterproof container.
Keep an N95 mask on hand.
N95 or N95 masks protect against smoke particles; they do not protect against gases.
WHO Europe, "Public health advice during the wildfires" (June 16, 2023) · consultado el 11/02/2026
For infants: diapers, wipes and food; for children aged 1 to 5, a wristband or bracelet with their name and your contact information.
CDC, "Emergency Kit Checklist for Pregnant Women, Infants and Children"
Transportable activities for young children, such as colored pencils and coloring books.
CDC, "Emergency Kit Checklist for Pregnant Women, Infants and Children"
For a pet: a sturdy carrier, a collar and leash, food and water with a bowl, its records, its medication and a photo of you with it.
In depth · The car
Keep the gas tank full for evacuations or power outages.
Power outages can close gas stations.
FEMA, "Be prepared for a power outage" (P-2199, December 2023, Spanish edition)
Car kit: jumper cables, sand, a flashlight, warm clothes, blankets, bottled water and non-perishable snacks.
In the car: jumper cables, flares or a reflective triangle, an ice scraper, a car cell phone charger, a blanket, a map, and cat litter or sand for traction.
Drive in bad weather only if absolutely necessary; check the forecast and road conditions first.
Winter tires with enough tread, plus chains or studs if your area requires them.
Turn off cruise control on slippery, icy or snowy roads.
If you are trapped in your car in a winter storm, stay inside.
Never leave people or pets in a closed car on a warm day.
Don't drive through flooded areas: six inches of water can cause stalling, and a foot of water will float many cars.
If a power line falls on your car, stay inside until a trained person removes the wire.
If the car is hard to control, pull over, stop and set the parking brake.
Have a mechanic check the antifreeze, battery, brakes, heater, lights and more.
If you are stuck in your car, make sure snow is not blocking the exhaust pipe, to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
In depth · Older adults and dependents
Talk to your medical provider about a plan for electric medical devices.
Plan for batteries and alternative power sources.
Talk to your doctor about how you will use medical devices that need power during an outage.
FEMA, "Be prepared for a power outage" (P-2199, December 2023, Spanish edition)
Never use a generator inside a home or garage, even with doors and windows open.
If you use medical equipment at home that needs electricity, ask your power provider to put you on a list for priority power restoration.
Many local emergency management offices keep voluntary registries for people with disabilities, to receive targeted help in emergencies.
Plan ahead for accessible transportation, and wear medical alert tags or bracelets.
If you rely on dialysis or another life-sustaining treatment, know the location and availability of more than one facility.
In depth · Insurance and papers
Most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage; flood insurance comes from FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program.
Homeowners insurance typically does not cover flooding; you may need flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program.
A flood insurance policy can take up to 30 days to take effect.
Review your policies to make sure the coverage meets all possible hazards.
Standard homeowner's policies don't cover earthquake damage.
Take photos and videos of major household items and valuables, and store the records somewhere safe.
Keep insurance policies and ID current, with copies in a password-protected digital space.
After a disaster, photograph the damage and contact your insurance company.
Report your loss to your insurance agent or carrier immediately.
Disaster assistance: disasterassistance.gov and the FEMA Helpline, 1-800-621-3362.
In depth · Kids
Ready.gov has games and activities for kids (Ready Kids).
Keep routines for meals and sleep, and limit the news.
UNICEF Europe and Central Asia, "How parents can support their children and themselves following distressing events" (May 5, 2023) · consultado el 11/02/2026
It is fine not to have all the answers; adults also need support for themselves.
UNICEF Europe and Central Asia, "How parents can support their children and themselves following distressing events" (May 5, 2023) · consultado el 11/02/2026
Fears, nightmares, wetting the bed and clinging are normal reactions.
UNICEF Europe and Central Asia, "How parents can support their children and themselves following distressing events" (May 5, 2023) · consultado el 11/02/2026
Seek professional help if reactions are severe, last more than a month or get worse.
UNICEF Europe and Central Asia, "How parents can support their children and themselves following distressing events" (May 5, 2023) · consultado el 11/02/2026
In depth · Pets and you
Microchip with your address and phone number up to date, and an emergency contact outside your immediate area.
A collar with an ID tag, and a picture of you with your pet.
A sturdy carrier, ideally one for each pet.
Food, water and medication for several days, and copies of records in a waterproof container and in electronic form.
Many shelters and hotels don't accept pets; arrange for a neighbor, friend or relative to care for or evacuate them.
Bring pets indoors at the first sign or warning of a storm or disaster.
Almost everyone affected by an emergency feels distress (anxiety, sadness, poor sleep, tiredness, irritability), and it usually improves over time.
WHO, "Mental health in emergencies" (May 6, 2025) · consultado el 11/02/2026
Support from family and community helps.
WHO, "Mental health in emergencies" (May 6, 2025) · consultado el 11/02/2026
Call or text 988: free, confidential, 24/7; text and chat also in Spanish; also if you are worried about someone.
988 in Spanish: when calling, press 2; when texting, type "Ayuda".
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, FAQ "Is the 988 Lifeline available in other languages?"
Never leave a pet chained outdoors; keep pets on a leash or in a carrier.
Our own advice
These tips in the guide do not come from an official source: they come from how homes, buildings and appliances work, or from common sense. We list them here so you know which ones they are.
In many buildings water is pumped up to the higher floors electrically, and homes on a well depend on an electric pump: with no power, the water can go too.
With no power there is no elevator: keep water and food upstairs and a flashlight by the door for the stairs.
With no power, electric garage doors and shutters will not move, and the front door will not open with a fob or keypad: find the manual release and carry the metal key.
Older people: their medication, spare glasses and hearing-aid batteries; if they live alone, someone outside should know to call or visit them.
Someone who cannot hear: phone alerts vibrate, but a radio is no use to them; agree who will pass on the news.
Living alone, knowing a neighbor you can count on makes a big difference.
Two meeting points, one near home and one outside your area; decide who collects whom.
Everyone at home should know the plan, and each person carries a wallet card.
Water in 1-gallon jugs or larger containers, with the date written on each, and one small bottle per person where it can be found in the dark.
At every clock change, drink the oldest water and replace it.
With no power, the electric ignition of a gas cooker will not spark: you need matches or a lighter.
A fitted gas cooker is fine for cooking, with its air vent clear.
One flashlight per person, ideally a headlamp, one by each bed and another by the front door.
A 10,000–20,000 mAh power bank gives roughly 2 to 4 phone charges, depending on the phone.
Download the map of your area on your phone for offline use.
911 is for real emergencies: someone in danger, injured or trapped, or a fire; to find out what is happening, use the radio.
Saline and rehydration salts in the first aid kit.
Spare glasses and hearing-aid batteries in the waterproof bag.
Keep the cash in the waterproof bag, separate from your everyday wallet.
A two-hour drill in the dark, one evening, to find what fails before you need it.
Check whether it is just your home: the breaker box and the neighbors' windows.
Building water pumped up? Fill buckets or the bath for the toilet.
Switch off the stovetop, oven, iron and heaters, and leave one light on so you know when the power is back.
A text needs signal but not internet; in airplane mode neither texts nor alerts arrive, so turn it off now and then.
Do not use the elevator; if someone is stuck inside, do not force the doors: call 911 and keep talking to them.
Stay at home: with the traffic lights out, driving is dangerous.
When the power comes back, plug devices back in gradually.
Find your main water shut-off valve and the one for the water heater.
When the water comes back, run the cold tap until it runs clear and follow your utility's instructions.
The warm room: small, with a door, gaps sealed with towels; blankets, hats and thick socks for everyone.
Tell the people around you about an alert, especially older adults and anyone without a phone; children's phones get alerts too, so talk to them about it.
Do not call 911 to ask whether an alert is real, and do not go out to look at the danger.
Do not go back for belongings or pets once you have left, or take routes you were not given.
People first: count everyone and help first whoever cannot leave alone; text your out-of-area contact where you are going.
If told to shelter in place: stay inside, close everything and go to an interior room with the radio on; schools have their own plans.
Do not call 911 for information, and do not spread rumors.
For leaving home: spare clothes and shoes, a raincoat, toiletries, house and car keys, a foil emergency blanket and a multi-tool.
A pet may need a muzzle in the bag.
A portable jump starter gets the car going with a dead battery without waiting for another car, and charges your phone; jumper cables need another car's battery.
In the summer car: extra water, a sunshade, a hat and sunscreen, and water and a bowl for the pet; drink before you are thirsty and travel outside the hottest hours.
Keep the medical device charged all the time, not only when a storm is forecast.
If the device's battery is about to run out and the power is not back, call 911 and say when it will stop.
If they cannot use the stairs, decide today who helps them and how; give a key and their card to a trusted neighbor or relative.
With someone who has dementia or gets scared: short, calm sentences, one at a time, and someone stays with them.
No candles or flames near oxygen.
Your safety first; stop the damage getting worse if it is safe, keep receipts for urgent repairs and write down your claim number.
Explain it to children on a calm day, and give them a job: feeling useful calms them.
Make the drill a game for kids: let them plan it and score it.
Get your news from one source, at set times, not all day.