Communities across Hawaii are subject to several natural disasters and emergencies, such as fires, flooding,
severe storms, hurricanes, and public health emergencies. While we all hope that such occurrences never
happen, history has shown that being prepared for disasters can limit its impact on you and your loved ones.
A key first step in disaster preparedness is understanding the types of hazards prevalent in your community.
To do this, visit your state and local government’s emergency management websites to look for more
information about the common types of disasters and whether disaster plans exist for your area. If available,
you should also sign up for your community’s alert and warning system which can notify community members
of impending disasters or of actions to take following a disaster.
At the core of proper emergency planning is communication. Everyone in your household needs to be involved
so that when an emergency strikes, everyone will know what to do. Once your household is prepared, it is
time to look to your neighbors. In times of emergencies, your neighbors will probably be the first ones
available to come to your aid. Find out in advance what resources you share and how you can work together
for the good of one another.
It is important to note that during and right after a natural disaster, emergency services and government
agencies may not be able to respond immediately to your needs. Their buildings, equipment, personnel,
communications, and mobility may have been severely hampered by the event. For this reason, experts
recommend that you should plan to be on your own for a minimum of three (3) days in the case of an
evacuation. However, you should consider assembling a stay-at-home kit with supplies for two (2) weeks and
at least seven (7) days of medications.
In the following pages, you will find guidance on emergency planning along with other essential information
you will need in building a comprehensive home emergency preparedness plan. This guide should be reviewed
annually and updated as needed. All family members should be aware of emergency plans.
Home Emergency Preparedness Checklist
Keep the items you will most likely need during an evacuation in an easy-to-carry, waterproof container. Be aware, that
this is a basic list of supplies.