PreparedStates
Calm, sourced, independent

Get your household ready for the next outage, storm or wildfire.

Official FEMA and CDC guidance explained in plain English, live hazard data for your state, and price-checked gear comparisons that tell you when not to buy.

See the best gearStart with the basic kit

What to be ready for this season

Hazards differ by region. These are the ones on the calendar now.

June 1 to November 30

Atlantic hurricane season

The season's last weeks still bring storms. Have water, food and a way to get alerts with the power off before a watch is issued, not after.

Source: NOAA National Hurricane Center

Winter

Ice storms and power outages

Ice and heavy snow bring down lines and can leave homes without heat for days. Plan safe backup heat and light, and never run a generator indoors.

Source: Ready.gov, Winter Weather

Year-round in parts of the West

Wildfire smoke

Smoke travels far beyond the fire. A high-efficiency air filter and a plan for a cleaner-air room protect people who never see the flames.

Source: AirNow (EPA)

Best gear, compared and price-checked

Every comparison is built from tracked prices and verified specs, with an honest note on who shouldn't buy.

All comparisons →
Emergency foodCost per 2,000-calorie day, comparedWater storage and filtersContainers, filters and purifiersPower stations and generatorsSized to what you need to runWeather radiosNOAA Weather Radio with tone alertFlashlights and lanternsBattery, rechargeable and hand-crankFirst aid kitsHome, car and go-bag sizesGo-bagsReady-made bags, and what they missPhone power banksKeep a phone alive for days
The basic kit

Start where Ready.gov starts

FEMA's Ready.gov says you may need to get by on your own for several days after an emergency. Its basic kit is the right place to start, then add what your household needs: medicines, pet food, baby supplies.

Source: Ready.gov, Build A Kit

  • Water: one gallon per person per day, for several days
  • Food: at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food
  • Battery-powered or hand-crank radio, and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
  • Flashlight
  • First aid kit
  • Extra batteries
  • Whistle to signal for help
  • Dust mask, plastic sheeting, scissors and duct tape
  • Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
  • Manual can opener
  • Local maps
  • Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

Official sources first

Guidance comes from FEMA, the CDC, the EPA and the National Weather Service, linked on every page.

Prices checked on a schedule

Gear prices are tracked automatically, so a deal is a real deal and the cheapest place to buy wins.

Honest about when not to buy

Every comparison says who shouldn't buy, and commissions never change a pick.

A calm weekly briefing

What's coming, what to check at home, and real price drops on the gear that matters. One email a week.