Prepared Families

Disaster Planning Guide

Download the free PDF version here

Disaster can strike at any time.

From hurricanes along the East Coast to floods and tornadoes in the Midwest, to fires in California, and worldwide pandemics, Operation Blessing is all too familiar with disasters and crises. We’ve been helping victims in times of disaster both in the US and around the world for decades.

Thanks to generous friends like you, we’re able to deliver disaster relief in real-time—quickly reaching out to hurting families with hot meals, emergency supplies, helping hands, love, and encouragement.

Too often, as our teams pick through the debris of damaged homes searching for precious family mementos, we hear disaster victims say, “How could we have prepared for this?”

So we’ve collected a number of resources to help you and your family stay safe and well-cared-for during disasters. This guide is specifically designed to help you create an emergency kit and plan disaster meal ideas. And you can find more helpful materials on our Disaster Preparedness page.

“In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

JOHN 16:33 ESV

DISASTER PREPARATION CHECKLIST

Learn about disasters common to your area
Decide when you will leave vs. when you will stay
Choose a family meeting place
Plan your disaster evacuation route
Know the location of your nearest evacuation shelter
Locate the safest spot in your home
Gather important contact information
Make copies of important documents
Prepare your family emergency kit
Review and practice your plan with your family
Track disaster-prone conditions and stay alert
Consider if you’d benefit from flood insurance

For more detailed planning information about specific types of disasters and how to prepare for them, please visit our Disaster Preparedness page.

EMERGENCY KIT

This kit can be used either in-home during a crisis or after a disaster for quick departure when evacuating. Place important documents in sealed plastic bags and pack emergency supplies in plastic storage bins sealed with duct tape.

FOOD & WATER

Water for a week: one gallon per person per day—plus extra for pets
Disaster meal kit for one week—see grocery list on the next page.

CLOTHING & BEDDING

Change of clothes, rain gear, boots
Sleeping bags and pillows

MEDICINE & HYGIENE

List of illnesses, medications and allergies
Hygiene items, first aid and baby supplies

DOCUMENTS

Birth certificates, social security numbers, passports
Important contact information
Mortgage or rental contracts, insurance information, retirement documents

TOOLS & ELECTRONICS

Basic tools — wrench, pliers, scissors, waterproof matches, fire extinguisher
Battery-operated TV or radio, lantern, clock and extra batteries
Flashlight with extra bulbs and batteries

PETS & MISCELLANEOUS

Pet food, carrier, collars, leashes and bedding
Map of your area
Plastic garbage bags

7 DAY DISASTER MEAL PLAN

In times of disaster when electricity is out, use meats and dairy first, then items less likely to spoil quickly. Finally, move to disaster foods that can be stored for long periods of time. Have a grill or camp stove and fuel available.

Disaster Meal Grocery List

Canned or powdered milk, bottled juices, instant coffee, tea
Canned soups, meats, pasta, and vegetables
Dry rice and pasta, dry soups with flavor packets, macaroni and cheese with cheese pouch
Cereal, protein bars, oatmeal packets
Granola bars, crackers, cookies, jerky, canned and dried fruits, nuts
Peanut butter, jelly, cheese spreads
Sugar, salt and pepper
Can opener, fuel for grill and/or camp stove
Baby food and formula, pet food

Breakfast, Lunch & Snacks:

Dry cereal and powdered or canned milk, granola bars, nuts, dry fruits, dried meats, peanut and jelly with crackers, canned meats, canned fruits, canned vegetables, and soups.

Dinner ideas

Canned stew with crackers
Canned chili with crackers
Baked Bean Surprise*
Dry bean soup with flavor packet
Spaghetti sauce with high protein noodles
Macaroni and cheese with cheese pouch
Speedy Southwest Chicken*

*See recipes below

TRY THESE TASTY DISASTER MEAL RECIPES

Operation Blessing is a nonprofit, humanitarian organization dedicated to partnering with YOU to demonstrate God’s love by alleviating human suffering in the U.S. and around the world. For more than 40 years, your love has shown through OB as together we’ve provided hunger relief, medical care, clean water, and disaster relief to millions around the world.

Through compassionate, efficient, and locally-focused programs, we are able to target the specific needs of those we serve. Our partners have the opportunity to truly be the hands of feet of Jesus for people who are suffering and in need.