Hawaii is susceptible to many types of natural disasters. It’s important to be ready. While it’s impossible to plan for every emergency, there are a few items you can get to be prepared for unexpected events.

First, consider that your family may not be together when disaster strikes. It’s important to plan in advance and figure out how you will contact one another, how you will get back together if you’re separated, and what you will do in different emergency situations.

You should also make sure your family is fully vaccinated for COVID-19, in case you have to stay in a shelter or some other crowded conditions. Find vaccines and boosters in your area at HawaiiCOVID19.com.

To help you get started with a family emergency plan, the Department of Health has created a guide called “Plan To Be Ready”

For more information, check out the CDC’s (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) page for planning ahead for emergencies and the American Red Cross’s page on making a family emergency plan. These and other resources below share step-by-step tips you can use now to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Helpful tools

• • DOH Guide “Plan To Be Ready”
  • CDC information page on planning ahead for emergencies
  • American Red Cross family disaster planning sheet (fillable PDF)
  • American Red Cross on making a family emergency plan
  • Learn about emergency communication plans from ready.gov
  • Download a Family Emergency Plan information sheet (fillable PDF)
  • Download a Family Emergency Plan information card for kids (fillable PDF)
  • Get information on this topic in other languages:
    • “Ready in Your Language”

 Hawaii, Are YOU Ready? Make a Plan.

Last reviewed July 2022