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Most disasters aren’t surprises. Hurricanes have a season, tornadoes peak in spring, wildfire smoke builds through summer and fall, and winter storms arrive every year. The people who get through them most comfortably prepare a few weeks before their region’s risk peaks, not the day before when store shelves are empty.
This hub breaks preparedness down by season, hazard and region. Each guide explains what the risk really looks like, cites official sources like FEMA, NOAA and the CDC, and recommends a short list of supplies worth owning, with the reasons why.
Prepare now: winter storms and power outages
Winter storm season is here for much of the country, and the first big snow and ice events of the year usually hit between now and early January. Read our Winter Storm and Power Outage Prep guide for what the alerts mean, how long food stays safe, backup power sizing math and the 10 supplies worth stocking.
The disaster calendar: what’s coming and when
Use this to time your prep. Seasons vary by year and location, so treat them as general patterns, and always follow your local National Weather Service office and emergency officials.
| Hazard | Main season | Most affected areas | Start preparing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter storms and blizzards | November–March (longer in the north and mountains) | Northern Plains, Midwest, Northeast, Rockies; ice storms in the South | October |
| Tornadoes and severe storms | Spring and early summer; parts of the Southeast also see fall and winter outbreaks | Central Plains, Midwest, Southeast | February–March |
| Spring flooding | Spring snowmelt and heavy rain | River valleys, northern states, low-lying areas nationwide | February–March |
| Eastern Pacific hurricanes | May 15–November 30 | Hawaii, Mexico’s Pacific coast; remnant moisture in the Southwest | April |
| Atlantic hurricanes | June 1–November 30, peaking around September 10 | Gulf Coast, Florida, Atlantic coast, Puerto Rico | April–May |
| Extreme heat | June–September | Southwest, South, cities nationwide | May |
| Wildfires and smoke | Summer and fall in the West, increasingly year-round; smoke can travel across the country | West, Mountain West; smoke reaches the Midwest and East | May–June |
| Earthquakes | No season | West Coast, Alaska, Pacific Northwest, parts of the central U.S. | Anytime |
| Power outages | Year-round, worst during storms and heat waves | Everywhere | Now |
Our preparedness guides
Available now
- Winter Storm and Power Outage Prep: What to Stock Before the First Blizzard
- How to Layer for Cold Weather: The 3-Layer System and What to Buy
- The Best Portable Power Stations for Home Backup
- The Best Dual Fuel Generators
- Ice Storms and Frozen Pipes: How to Protect Your Home
- Winter Car Emergency Kit: What to Pack and How to Drive in Snow
Coming up this season
- Generator and space heater safety: preventing carbon monoxide poisoning and fires
- How to stay warm safely when the power is out
- Snow removal gear: shovels, snow blowers and ice melt
- Winterizing your home: drafts, insulation and furnace checks
- Emergency water and food for a week-long outage
- Holiday travel in winter weather: road and airport delay prep
- Southeast winter tornado outbreaks: weather radios and shelter basics
Start with a basic kit (works for every disaster)
Whatever your region, these Ready.gov basics cover the first few days of almost any emergency:
| Supply | How much | |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 1 gallon per person per day, for several days | See containers |
| Non-perishable food | At least a several-day supply, plus a manual can opener | See food kits |
| NOAA Weather Radio | Battery or hand crank, with tone alert | See radios |
| Flashlights and extra batteries | One per person | See lights |
| First aid kit | One for home, one for the car | See kits |
| Phone chargers and a backup battery | Enough for every phone | See power banks |
| Whistle, dust masks, plastic sheeting and duct tape | A few of each | See supplies |
| Medications and documents | A week of prescriptions; copies of IDs and insurance | — |
How our prep guides are different
- Fewer products, more explanation. We recommend a short list and tell you exactly why each item matters and what to look for, instead of listing everything for sale.
- Official sources. Safety guidance comes from FEMA’s Ready.gov, the National Weather Service, NOAA, the CDC and FoodSafety.gov, and we link to them.
- Experience from the trades. Our team works in HVAC in Colorado, so our backup power, heating and home-protection advice comes from installing and fixing this equipment.
- Timed to the season. Guides are updated ahead of each season so the advice is current when you need it.
Sources
Ready.gov: Build a Kit; NOAA National Hurricane Center: Tropical Cyclone Climatology; National Weather Service: Winter Watches and Warnings; CDC: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. Seasonal timing is a general guide; follow local officials during any emergency. Photos courtesy of Unsplash.