UpOnly Learning Presents: Family Emergency Guide — Natural Disasters, Power and Internet Outages

Family Emergency Guide

After a Disaster

Last checked: October 26, 2026

Official guidanceThis guide summarizes official guidance. It does not replace instructions from local officials. In the United States, call 911 in an emergency. If your 911 call does not go through.

Related pages: Communication Plan (including 911) · Kids and Pets · Power Outages

Returning home safely

  • The American Red Cross says, "If evacuated, return only when authorities say it is safe to do so."[3]
  • The Red Cross says, "Check the outside of your home before you enter."[3]
  • The Red Cross says, "If you detect natural or propane gas, or hear a hissing noise, leave the property immediately."[3]
  • The Red Cross says, "If power lines are down outside your home, do not step in puddles or standing water."[3]
  • Ready.gov says floodwater "can contain a variety of hazards, including sharp objects, downed power lines, sewage" and more.[1]
  • The Red Cross says, "Beware of snakes, insects and other animals that may be in or around your home."[3]
  • The Red Cross says, "Wear protective clothing, including rubber gloves and rubber boots, and be cautious when cleaning up."[3]
  • The Red Cross says, "Keep children and pets away from hazardous sites and floodwater."[3]
  • The Red Cross says, "Children should not take part in disaster cleanup work."[12]

Generators and carbon monoxide

  • CDC says, "Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death if inhaled."[4]
  • CDC says, "CO symptoms are often described as 'flu-like,'" and lists headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion.[4]
  • CDC says never to run a generator inside your home or garage, even with doors and windows open, and to keep it more than 20 feet from windows, doors, and vents.[4]
  • Ready.gov says, "Use a generator or other gasoline-powered machinery ONLY outdoors and away from windows."[2]
  • Ready.gov says, "Never use a gas stovetop, oven, grill or dryer to heat your home."[5]
  • Ready.gov says, "Don't leave a vehicle running inside a garage," even with the door open.[5]
  • CDC says to install "battery-operated or battery back-up CO detectors near every sleeping area in your home."[4]

Food safety after a power outage or flood

  • CDC says food stays safe for "4 hours in a refrigerator, 48 hours in a full freezer, 24 hours in a half-full freezer" during a power outage.[6]
  • Ready.gov says to throw away refrigerated food that has been at "40 degrees Fahrenheit or higher for more than 4 hours."[5]
  • Under "Throw away these foods," CDC lists "Food that may have come in contact with floodwater or stormwater" and "Food with an unusual smell, color, or texture."[6]
  • The Red Cross says, "Throw out all food, beverages and medicine exposed to flood waters and mud."[3]
  • CDC says, "When in doubt, throw it out!"[6]
  • Ready.gov says, "Replace refrigerated medications if the power is out for a day or more," unless the label says otherwise.[5]

Water safety

  • Ready.gov says, "Pay attention to water advisories."[5]
  • CDC says, "Follow recommendations from your health department for boiling or treating your water."[7]
  • CDC says that if you know or suspect your water is unsafe, do not use it for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, or making ice or baby formula.[7]
  • CDC says to bring clear water to a "rolling boil for 1 minute (at elevations above 6,500 feet, boil for 3 minutes)."[7]
  • CDC says water contaminated with fuel or toxic chemicals cannot be made safe by boiling or disinfecting.[7]

Contacting family

  • Ready.gov says, "Use text messages or social media to communicate with family and friends."[1]
  • The Red Cross says, "Let people in your network know that you are OK."[8]
  • The FCC and FEMA say, "Limit non-emergency phone calls," and "For non-emergencies, try text messaging from your wireless phone."[9]
  • See the Communication Plan for your out-of-area contact and meeting places.

Insurance and help

  • Ready.gov says, "Document any property damage with photographs."[1]
  • Ready.gov says, "Contact your insurance company to file an insurance claim."[1]
  • Ready.gov says, "Register with FEMA for additional assistance."[1]

Emotional support

  • The Red Cross says, "It's normal to have a lot of bad feelings, stress or anxiety."[11]
  • The Red Cross lists the Disaster Distress Helpline: "Call or text 1-800-985-5990."[11]
  • CDC lists SAMHSA's Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990, call or text, and says, "People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service to call 1-800-985-5990."[10]
  • CDC says, "Give your child opportunities to talk about what they went through."[10]
  • CDC says, "Limit your child's exposure to media coverage of the disaster and its outcome."[10]
  • CDC says, "Return to your normal daily routine and encourage your child to do the same."[10]
  • CDC says, "Setting a good example for your children is critical for parents and caregivers."[10]

Sources

Last checked: October 26, 2026. Each numbered source below was opened and checked on the date shown. Numbers in brackets in the text, like [1], point to this list.

  1. [1] Ready.gov (FEMA), Be Prepared for a Hurricane (info sheet, PDF)
    Published by
    Ready.gov (FEMA)
    Level
    U.S. federal government
    Found at
    www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2024-03/ready.gov_hurricane_hazard-info-sheet.pdf
    Checked
    Oct 26, 2026
  2. [2] Ready.gov (FEMA), Floods
    Published by
    Ready.gov (FEMA)
    Level
    U.S. federal government
    Found at
    www.ready.gov/floods
    Checked
    Oct 26, 2026
  3. [3] American Red Cross, 20 Red Cross Safety Steps for Returning Home After the Flood
    Published by
    American Red Cross
    Level
    Not a government agency (non-governmental organization)
    Found at
    www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/20-Red-Cross-Safety-Steps-for-Returning-Home-After-the-Flood.html
    Checked
    Oct 26, 2026
  4. [4] CDC, About Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
    Published by
    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
    Level
    U.S. federal government
    Found at
    www.cdc.gov/carbon-monoxide/about/index.html
    Checked
    Oct 26, 2026
  5. [5] Ready.gov (FEMA), Be Prepared for a Power Outage (info sheet, PDF)
    Published by
    Ready.gov (FEMA)
    Level
    U.S. federal government
    Found at
    www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2024-03/ready.gov_power-outage_hazard-info-sheet.pdf
    Checked
    Oct 26, 2026
  6. [6] CDC, Keep Food Safe After a Disaster or Emergency
    Published by
    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
    Level
    U.S. federal government
    Found at
    www.cdc.gov/food-safety/foods/keep-food-safe-after-emergency.html
    Checked
    Oct 26, 2026
  7. [7] CDC, How to Make Water Safe in an Emergency
    Published by
    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
    Level
    U.S. federal government
    Found at
    www.cdc.gov/water-emergency/about/index.html
    Checked
    Oct 26, 2026
  8. [8] American Red Cross, Power Outage
    Published by
    American Red Cross
    Level
    Not a government agency (non-governmental organization)
    Found at
    www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/power-outage.html
    Checked
    Oct 26, 2026
  9. [9] FCC/FEMA, Tips for Communicating During an Emergency (PDF)
    Published by
    Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and FEMA
    Level
    U.S. federal government
    Found at
    www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/fcc-fema_tips_for_communicating_during_an_emergency.pdf
    Checked
    Oct 26, 2026
  10. [10] CDC, Helping Children Cope with a Disaster
    Published by
    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
    Level
    U.S. federal government
    Found at
    www.cdc.gov/children-and-school-preparedness/before-during-after/helping-children-cope.html
    Checked
    Oct 26, 2026
  11. [11] American Red Cross, Extreme Heat Safety
    Published by
    American Red Cross
    Level
    Not a government agency (non-governmental organization)
    Found at
    www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/extreme-heat-safety.html
    Checked
    Oct 26, 2026
  12. [12] American Red Cross, Tornado
    Published by
    American Red Cross
    Level
    Not a government agency (non-governmental organization)
    Found at
    www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/tornado.html
    Checked
    Oct 26, 2026

We check every line against official sources. If you ever spot an error (rare, but it happens), send us a screenshot through our form and we’ll fix it.