Disaster Preparedness Made Simple: 5 Steps to Protect Yourself and Help Others

Practical Tips for Safeguarding Your Family, Home, and Community When Disaster Strikes

I had a different post planned for this week, but in light of the devastation in Los Angeles and the earlier hurricane in North Carolina a few months ago, I wanted to shift focus. These events remind us how critical it is to be prepared—not only to help others but also to protect ourselves when disaster strikes.

At Go Long, we usually focus on wellness topics tied to physical and mental health. But one area we’re expanding into is financial and legal preparedness—because being ready for the unexpected is essential for living your best life. Stay tuned for more on that front, but we already had a discussion with Miya Nazzaro of Nazzaro Law PLLC on legal considerations on both the personal and professional fronts as you move through life.

In this post, I’ll cover:

1. How you can help communities in need right now.

2. 5 essential steps to prepare yourself in case disaster strikes.

(Hint: You won’t want to miss step #5—it’s a game-changer.)

Let’s get started!

How to Help Communities in Need Right Now

If you’re inclined to help, here are three impactful ways to make a difference in both Los Angeles and North Carolina, two areas that have been hit hard recently.

Los Angeles

• Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation: Supports the brave firefighters who risk their lives every day. Donate here.

• Pasadena Humane: Provides critical care for animals affected by disasters. Donate here.

• Heidi’s GoFundMe: Heidi, a friend of Go Long, lost her home and is also battling brain cancer. Donate to Heidi here.

North Carolina

• MANNA Food Bank: Supplies food to those affected by Hurricane Helene. Donate here.

• BeLoved Asheville: Focuses on building community resilience and providing relief for underserved populations in the area. Donate here.

• PicnicAVL: A food curation project helping the community. Sign up for their mailing list when they restock this spring!

If you know of other organizations making a difference in these areas, let us know in the comments.

5 Steps to Protect Yourself Before Disaster Strikes

Preparing for a disaster may feel overwhelming, but the alternative—trying to figure it all out in the middle of chaos—is much worse. Here are five essential steps to get started.

1. Identify and Organize Key Documents

If you had to evacuate with only minutes to spare, would you have access to critical documents? Here’s a checklist of what to gather:

Personal Identification

• Driver’s license or ID card

• Social Security card

• Passport

• Birth, marriage, divorce, or adoption certificates

Financial Records

• Bank and credit card account numbers

• Insurance policies (home, life, auto, disability, umbrella, earthquake, flood, renters, etc.)

• Mortgage or lease documents as well as any receipts from capital improvements from your house

• Car registration(s)

Medical Information

• Health insurance cards

• Living will and medical power of attorney

• List of medications, allergies, and immunizations - this may be accessible through your MyChart account so knowing how to access can be helpful

Pro Tip: Create a shared contact list of family, neighbors, and medical professionals for quick access. Apps like Nextdoor or neighborhood email lists can also help you stay informed.

2. Store Key Documents in the Cloud

Even if your home survives a disaster, you might not be able to access it for weeks—or longer. Securely storing documents in the cloud ensures you can retrieve them from anywhere.

Here’s how to get started:

• Use services like Google Drive or iCloud, or check out recommendations from PC Mag and Wirecutter that may be more secure than those options.

• Given the sensitivity of the documents you’re going to be storing in the cloud, enable two-factor authentication to boost security.

• Create digital backups of your IDs, financial records, and medical information.

Why it matters: After 9/11 and Hurricane Sandy, many people couldn’t access their belongings for weeks. Don’t let this happen to you—be prepared.

3. Document Your Home with Video

Could you list every item in your house if it were destroyed? Probably not. That’s why creating a video inventory is crucial.

• Take videos room by room.

• Narrate as you go. Highlight high-value or non-obvious items.

• Store the videos in your cloud account.

Bonus Tip: If you have a safe (even a fireproof one), record the contents as well. In the event of theft or total loss, this documentation can make your insurance claim much smoother.

4. Prepare Your “Go Bag(s)”

If you needed to evacuate immediately, what would you grab? A well-stocked “Go Bag” ensures you’re ready to leave at a moment’s notice.

One of Go Long’s partners, Kim Oser - founder of Game Plan Organizing shared this on Instagram - the 6 P’s of Packing:

• Pet Essentials: I’ll just add to this list since it isn’t specifically called out, don’t forget leashes, medications and food for your pets!

• Essentials: Water, non-perishable snacks, personal hygiene items, a first aid kit, chargers.

• Clothing: Pack enough for a few days.

Pro Tip: As for the bags themselves (let’s face it, you’ll have more than one), pick bags that will travel well and can take a beating—sturdy and weather-resistant. This is not the time to be using whatever fancy bag you picked up on your latest trip to Europe.

5. Check Your Insurance Coverage

Many people discover too late that their homeowners insurance doesn’t fully cover the cost of rebuilding after a disaster. Don’t let this happen to you.

• Review your policy limits and understand if they account for today’s construction and furnishing costs.

• Consult your financial planner and/or insurance agent to identify gaps in your coverage or understand what your options would be in a disaster situation.

I recently recorded a quick 90-second video on this topic.

Why It’s Worth the Effort

Yes, this may feel like a lot. But what’s the alternative? Scrambling to find your important documents, insurance policy, or basic supplies in the middle of a crisis? That’s the last thing you want to deal with when you’re stressed, scared, and overwhelmed.

By taking these steps now, you’re setting yourself up for peace of mind and protecting your future.

What About You?

Do you have any tips or strategies for disaster preparedness that we didn’t cover here? Let us know in the comments—your insights might help someone else.

And if you found this post helpful, please share it with your friends and family. Being prepared can make all the difference.