72-Hour Emergency Kit
Every household should maintain a ready-to-go kit that sustains your family for at least 72 hours without external support. Here's what FEMA and our emergency management advisors recommend:
- Water — 1 gallon per person per day (3-day minimum)
- Non-perishable food — 3-day supply per person
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio)
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Whistle (to signal for help)
- Dust masks, plastic sheeting, and duct tape (shelter-in-place)
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and ties (sanitation)
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Manual can opener
- Local maps (don't rely solely on GPS)
- Cell phone charger and backup battery pack
Communication Plan
During a disaster, phone networks are often overwhelmed. Text messages use less bandwidth than voice calls and are more likely to get through. Establish a family communication plan before an emergency occurs:
- Designate an out-of-area emergency contact everyone calls/texts
- Establish a family meeting point (both near-home and out-of-neighborhood)
- Ensure all family members have emergency contacts stored in their phones
- Practice your plan twice a year
- Use ZoneCastAI's Family Safety Network to maintain real-time visibility on each family member's location during emergencies
Shelter-in-Place vs. Evacuate
Different emergencies require different responses. ZoneCastAI's AI determines the optimal response for your specific situation, but knowing the general principles helps you act faster:
Shelter-in-Place
Best for: chemical releases, active threats, nuclear/radiological events. Move to an interior room, seal doors and windows, and monitor ZoneCastAI for all-clear notification.
Evacuate
Best for: wildfires, floods, hurricanes, dam failures. Follow your pre-planned evacuation route. ZoneCastAI provides real-time route updates based on current road conditions.
Drop-Cover-Hold
Best for: earthquakes. Drop to the ground, take cover under a sturdy desk or table, and hold on. Move outdoors only after shaking stops and you've checked for structural damage.