National Preparedness Month is recognized in September to encourage people to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, schools and communities. Be part of promoting family and community disaster planning now and throughout the year! As our nation continues to respond to COVID-19, there is no better time to be involved this September.

To start, make a plan. Chat with family and friends about who you’ll communicate with before, during, and after a disaster. Then build a kit. Along with essentials like water and non-perishable food, consider special needs of family members and pets. In the event of a prolonged power outage, Benton PUD has a list of suggested items to keep on hand here. Also, if you know a storm or other severe weather is rolling in, we have other suggestions on how to prepare and stay safe here.
 
For more great tips on how to stay prepared for any type of emergency, visit Ready.gov/September.