By Samantha Edwards

September is National Preparedness Month, and the Nebraska-Iowa Region of the American Red Cross is urging everyone to take action now to protect their loved ones. With extreme weather events like tornadoes, high winds and flooding posing serious threats to our communities, there’s no better time to get your household ready. Are you and your family prepared?

“National Preparedness Month is a great time to ask whether your family would be ready if something unexpected happened tomorrow,” said Emily Holley, Regional Communications Manager for the Nebraska-Iowa Red Cross Region. “It’s not about being scared; it’s about being smart and looking out for the people you love. Taking a few simple steps now to create a plan can make all the difference when it matters most.

How to Prepare Your Household

Disasters don’t wait for a convenient moment — they can strike in the middle of the night, during your commute or while your kids are at school. Here’s how to get ready:

1. Make a Plan

• Know whether you’ll need to stay put or evacuate.

• If evacuation is necessary, decide where you’ll go, how you’ll get there and what you’ll take.

• Plan ahead if you’ll need help leaving or rely on public transportation.

  
  

2. Build Emergency Kits

• Go-Kit: Pack three days’ worth of food, water, medications and essentials you can take with you.

• Stay-at-Home Kit: Stock two weeks of food and water and a one-month supply of medications.

• Include backup batteries, chargers, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio and critical personal records.

  
  

  3. Customize for Your Family

• For young children: formula, diapers, comfort items.

• For pets: leashes, carriers, food, bowls, litter and litterbox.

• Consider medical devices like CPAP machines or wheelchairs.

  
  

4. Stay Connected

• Create a plan to reconnect with loved ones if separated or if communication networks go down.

• Write down important phone numbers and keep a contact card with you.

  
  

Stay Informed and Get Involved

Download the free Red Cross Emergency app for weather alerts, safety steps for different emergencies and expert advice in both English and Spanish. Don’t forget to sign up for local government emergency alerts to get critical local information — like evacuation notices — during an emergency.

You can also help your community be better prepared for disasters by giving blood, taking a class in lifesaving skills like CPR or by becoming a Red Cross volunteer.