Emergency Preparedness in Washington
Plan for wildfire, flooding, winter storms, earthquakes, and other risks relevant to Washington. Start with the basics, adapt supplies and evacuation plans to your home, and follow current official guidance.
What this guide is for
This is a regional planning guide. It pulls together the hazards most relevant to Washington and points you to the official agencies and practical next steps that fit your household. Start with what you already own, then fill the most important gaps. No kit guarantees safety — the goal is to reduce disruption and make recovery easier.
Hazards to plan for in Washington
Seasonal conditions vary across Washington. Check NWS Seattle for current forecasts and rotate supplies around the local climate.
- WildfireSee the wildfire guide
- FloodingSee the flooding guide
- Winter stormSee the winter storm guide
- EarthquakeSee the earthquake guide
Household supplies and planning
Whatever your local hazards, the basics stay the same: water, food that doesn't need cooking, lighting, a way to charge your phone, first aid, sanitation, and copies of important documents. Plan for the people in your home — including pets, anyone with medical or accessibility needs, and anyone who may not be home when something happens.
Preparedness guides for cities in Washington
Each city guide adapts this region's hazard profile to local considerations. City pages are clearly labeled as regional guidance and are not individually verified against each municipality's resources yet — always confirm current local alerts and instructions from your city or county.