Know the Risks in Your Region

Preparedness gets real when it gets local. North Americans don’t face the same threats — hurricanes on the East Coast, wildfires in the West, tornadoes in the Plains, earthquakes and winter storms across many regions. Knowing your risks tells you what to prepare for first.

Find your top hazards

• West Coast: Earthquakes, wildfires
• Midwest/South: Tornadoes, severe storms
• East & Gulf Coasts: Hurricanes, flooding
• Canada & Northern U.S.: Winter storms, power outages
• Urban areas: Infrastructure failures
• Rural areas: Wildfire + delayed emergency response

Match actions to hazards

• Earthquake: Drop, Cover, Hold On; prep gas shut-off; secure furniture
• Wildfire: Go-bag ready; create defensible space; know evacuation routes
• Hurricane: Plan to evacuate early; board windows; store water
• Tornado: Safest room = basement or interior room, no windows
• Winter storm: Heat backup, blankets, carbon-monoxide awareness

Quick Tip

Sign up for your local alerts (NOAA, WeatherCAN, Alert Ready, FEMA / local county).

Next step: Circle your top 2 hazards and focus your gear + planning around those first. Prepared doesn’t mean perfect — it means prioritized.

Signal Learning Inc. (2026). First Aid and Disaster Preparedness Content. Used with permission.