Are You Prepared for an Emergency?
Older adults — who are more likely to have mobility and transport limitations — are especially vulnerable during a disaster
Terry Fuhrmann Hampton, 64, had weathered many storms in her decades living in rural Howell County, Missouri. But on the evening of March 14, 2025, she knew the approaching tornado would be different. "I sensed it was not going to miss us this time," she says. Moments before it approached their home, she and her husband, Allen, sheltered in their basement to wait.
"It sounded like a jet engine roaring directly over the house," she recalls. "We briefly saw a violent swirl of leaves through the basement window; then the internet stopped seconds before the lights flickered, and everything went dark. We didn't know then that all the electric lines leading to our house … were damaged, including one broken pole, and that it would be the better part of a week before the power was back on."
The twister spared Fuhrmann's home but decimated its surroundings. "As we drove through the country neighborhood where I've lived my whole life and where Allen and I have lived together for nearly 45 years, it was only then that I cried," she says. "What I saw took my breath away. We realized that the next four houses past ours are either gone or damaged beyond repair. The area is obliterated."
Fuhrmann and her neighbors — who were not injured — are doing their best to reassemble their lives and establish a "new normal" in the devastation's wake. "Allen and I feel extremely fortunate and grateful for what remains, including a community that looks out for and helps neighbors, friends and strangers," she says. "Living in the Ozarks [has] always taken a certain amount of resilience, even without adding a tornado rampage. But all of us will keep on keepin' on because that's all we know to do."
"Older adults unfortunately are more often targets of scams as they try to navigate FEMA and insurance mechanisms to get back on their feet."
Fuhrmann and her husband were prepared, but research suggests many of their peers — including those living in disaster-prone areas — are not. In a recent survey of 1,400 Ohioans 65 and older, one in four respondents reported being unprepared for a natural disaster despite the area experiencing 74 tornadoes in 2024. That's unsurprising to Arlan Fuller, director of disaster preparedness and response at Project Hope in Boston, who says a nationwide survey would likely yield similar results. And while a lack of preparedness can be dangerous for anyone, he says older adults — who are more likely to have mobility and transport limitations — are especially vulnerable.
"We also see this in conflict zones where older adults are more likely to shelter in place despite their proximity to danger because they lack access to reliable transportation or are concerned about the living conditions and accessibility measures in shelters," says Fuller, who has overseen emergency responses for hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, war and more. "Older adults also have a greater likelihood of chronic medical conditions in which an emergency can disrupt treatment. When someone loses their home or has to evacuate quickly, they are also less likely to have access to medication prescriptions, glasses or contacts, mobility aids like canes or walkers and more. Additionally, older adults unfortunately are more often targets of scams as they try to navigate FEMA and insurance mechanisms to get back on their feet."
Protective Steps
Due to climate change, disasters such as tornadoes, floods, wildfires and hurricanes are likely to become more frequent and extreme, according to NASA. Severe storms and fires may also impact more communities, including some that haven't previously been affected. With this in mind, Fuller and other experts recommend taking the following steps to protect yourself and your family.
Make a plan. Establish a plan outlining your evacuation route, emergency contacts and shelter locations so you're not making critical decisions under stress, suggests Chris Reynolds, an emergency management expert, retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, and dean of Academic Outreach and Program Development at American Public University System in Tampa, Florida. Be sure to write this down and store it in a waterproof container or maintain a digital copy. "Older adults may need extra time or assistance evacuating, so preplanning is vital," says Reynolds, who has responded to emergencies such as the Oklahoma City bombing and Hurricanes Andrew and Katrina.
"Older adults may need extra time or assistance evacuating, so preplanning is vital."
If you live in a care home or assisted-living facility, they should have a disaster plan in place, notes John Roberts, M.D., Los Angeles-based senior adviser in the Emergency Response Unit at the International Medical Corps. He says towns, counties and states also have disaster plans you can refer to. "Find them, get to know them and discuss them with your family so that everyone can plan, know what to expect and, if you're in a facility, know where you'll be taken if evacuated," Roberts says.
Establish a support crew. Identify neighbors, family and friends who can help you in a crisis. "Social support is a key factor in survival and recovery," says Jeremy Gocke, survivalist and CEO of Entropy Survival, based in Wyoming. Again, keep a written list of these contacts in a safe place. Distress can make it difficult to remember important information — even that you know by heart.
Important First Few Days
Pack a go bag. A go bag should include essentials, such as flashlights, batteries, medications, snacks, water, important documents, cash, glasses, sanitary supplies, a phone charger and clothing. "Check it regularly — especially medications and batteries — to ensure that everything is up to date," Roberts says.
Communicate your plan. Reynolds says to share your plan with loved ones, including a trusted out-of-area contact, since phone lines may be down or overloaded. "Consider using a medical alert system with GPS or check-in features for added safety," he says.
Assemble an emergency kit. "The first three days after a disaster are often the most critical because emergency services may be delayed," Roberts says. "Having enough food, water, medications and basic supplies in place can help you stay safe and stable during this time." In addition to water, non-perishable food, and medications, include hygiene items, flashlights, batteries, cash and a first aid kit.
"The first three days after a disaster are often the most critical because emergency services may be delayed."
Have backups for medical equipment. Roberts says that power outages can be especially dangerous for people who rely on electricity-dependent medical devices, like CPAP machines or oxygen concentrators, and those who need to refrigerate medications, such as insulin. "Backup-power options such as generators, battery packs or solar chargers can be lifesaving. Even coolers with ice packs can make all the difference if you need to keep medications cold," he says.
Plan for pets. "Many people delay evacuating because they don't want to leave pets behind," Gocke says. Roberts suggests making a plan for your pet and ensuring you have food, water and a carrier or leash ready. He also recommends identifying pet-friendly shelters in your area.
Identify local resources and shelters. "Know which shelters are accessible and whether they can accommodate your needs (mobility, medical, pets)," Reynolds recommends. Also, contact your local police and fire departments and ask if they maintain a list of people that require additional support in the event of a disaster, says Paul Grattan, Jr., retired New York police department sergeant and managing director at Graypoint Strategies, a public safety consulting firm. "Many jurisdictions do this to know who might be at higher risk, such as people who use critical medical equipment that requires electric power," Grattan says.
Stay informed with alerts. Several local and national services offer emergency alerts via phone, email or text. Reynolds suggests signing up for these to receive timely information. Fuhrmann agrees, noting that this can be lifesaving. "Have a reliable way to get information and pay attention to the weather," she says. "We heard multiple accounts of people who did not know of the severity of the weather forecast, who 'went outside to see what was going on' and who barely escaped injury or worse. Get away from windows and exterior walls, and never go outside in a storm. There were deaths in our area."
Recommended Resources
Jan Tucker, a 69-year-old Temecula, California, resident, survived Hurricane Erin and now works to help her community prepare for wildfires. She says abundant resources are available, but finding them during an emergency would be daunting. "It's helpful to learn about these beforehand and print out a simplified list of the ones you feel are most helpful," she suggests, adding that you can also download and print many materials. "Keep these things handy where you can find them at a moment's notice." Tucker also recommends downloading apps like the following:
- FEMA app for mobile
- Wireless Emergency Alerts
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio
- Emergency: Severe Weather app
- Watch Duty (Wildfire) app
Practice and refresh your plan. Reynolds says rehearsing your emergency plan can instill confidence and identify potential gaps. "In high-stress moments, having muscle memory of what to do is a lifesaving advantage," he says. Roberts also recommends reviewing and refreshing your plan periodically. "Emergency plans and supplies can become outdated," he says. "Set a reminder to review your plan and refresh the supplies in your go-bag every six to 12 months — for example, around your birthday or when you change the batteries in your smoke detectors."
"Set a reminder to review your plan and refresh the supplies in your go-bag every six to 12 months."
Care for your mental health. In one 2020 study, older adults who were psychologically prepared for an emergency reported significantly less anxiety than those who were not. "In my experience, 90% of individuals and families are not equipped to deal with disasters because they haven't had to. This greatly increases the shock, fear, and length of emotional trauma that a person experiences, as well as the guilt and shame that they were not prepared or could not save someone or their pet," says Cathlyn Cannon, a therapist certified with the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation who has supported numerous survivors of violence, house fires and natural disasters. "To minimize the risk of long-term trauma from disasters, prepare adequately. Connect with others; don't isolate yourself. Seek mental health intervention for comfort and coping skills."
The International Medical Corps has created a free online course on psychological first aid, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offers various resources on its website. However, if you or a loved one are struggling with severe or prolonged symptoms, Cannon recommends seeking professional help.
