Different geographical areas are prone to different kinds of disasters. In America, the East and Gulf coasts are susceptible to hurricanes, the Midwest to tornados, and the West Coast to earthquakes. There are also severe thunderstorms and winter storms to be wary of, along with other types of natural disasters that can occur. Each type of disaster poses its own set of unique challenges, and if you're local to a certain category of natural disaster, it's important to be prepared.

How do I prepare?

Keeping emergency preparedness kits on hand at all times is essential. Examples of items to include are:

• Water
• Non-perishable food
• Flashlight and batteries
• First aid supplies
• Medications
• Battery-powered radio and phone

Depending on the type of disaster, different protocol is appropriate. For example, hurricanes will be tracked days (if not weeks) in advance. In this case, it's important to tune into the weather reports and local news to understand the impact you may experience and to make yourself and your loved ones aware of local ordinances and procedures. However, for disasters such as earthquakes, there often isn't any notice at all. In this case, follow the procedure of protecting yourself under a table or under a doorframe until it's safe to move. Be sure to find out what kind of natural disasters are common for your area, and educate yourself on how to proceed in the event one occurs.

Luckily, smartphones provide many with around-the-clock access to weather updates and emergency signaling. Often, severe weather warnings will be sent out as push notifications to those in the affected areas, helping to warn people even if they aren't tuned into local news. Still, take control of your own safety, and the safety of your loved ones, by checking the weather and news for any weather updates.

In addition, make sure your personal property is protected with the proper insurance. If you have questions, contact us.

When do most disasters occur?

Some natural disasters have "seasons" when they are more likely to occur.

• Hurricane season: The Atlantic hurricane season is June 1 to November 30, with the bulk of hurricanes occurring in August and September.
• Tornado season: Tornados in the Midwest are most likely to occur between May and July.
• Earthquakes: Earthquakes do not have a season and can occur any time of year, day or night. Earthquakes are arguably the hardest disaster to prepare for, as there is no notice of when one might occur. Those in earthquake country should always be prepared for disaster to strike.
• Winter storms: Winter storms, or blizzards, will occur in the winter (of course) but can sometimes extend into the early spring or late fall, depending on weather patterns.

Thinking about natural disasters can be stressful and cause a lot of anxiety for some, but if you're prepared, then you can relax knowing that you've done all you can to keep yourself and your loved ones safe in case of an emergency. Remember to always follow local ordinances and evacuate if needed. Rely on disaster relief services and emergency workers in the event of a disaster; they are trained for these situations.