Your Complete Emergency Preparedness Checklist for 2025
Natural disasters. Civil unrest. Economic collapse. Power grid failures. Be ready for anything.
The window to prepare is closing
Whether it's natural disasters, civil unrest, economic collapse, or infrastructure failure—the people who survive are the ones who prepared in advance. This isn't fear-mongering. This is survival reality. What you have before disaster hits determines your future.
What You Need Before Everything Goes Wrong
The time to prepare was yesterday. The second best time is now. When disaster strikes, the supplies you have determine whether you survive or struggle. Here's everything you need to ride out any crisis.
Water & Hydration:
- Water Storage: 1 gallon per person per day (minimum 3-day supply)
- Water Filter: Portable water filter system (LifeStraw, Katadyn, Sawyer)
- Purification Tablets: Chlorine dioxide or iodine tablets for emergency purification
- Water Containers: Jerry cans, water storage tanks, water bottles
Food & Nutrition:
- Non-Perishable Food: 3-day minimum supply (canned goods, MREs, freeze-dried meals)
- High-Calorie Foods: Energy bars, nuts, dried fruits, protein bars
- Cooking Supplies: Camp stove, fuel, matches, lighter, can opener
- Vitamins: Multivitamins and vitamin C supplements
Medical & First Aid:
- First Aid Kit: Complete trauma kit with bandages, gauze, tourniquets
- Medications: Prescription medications, pain relievers, antibiotics
- Medical Book: Survival medicine guide and first aid manual
- Hypertension Supplies: Blood pressure monitor, diabetes supplies if needed
Shelter & Clothing:
- Emergency Shelter: Tent, tarp, emergency blankets
- Clothing: Weather-appropriate clothing, extra socks, sturdy shoes
- Poncho: Rain protection
- Sleeping Bag: Temperature-rated sleeping bag
Lighting & Power:
- Light Sources: Flashlights, headlamps, LED lanterns
- Batteries: Extra batteries for all devices
- Solar Charger: Portable solar panel and power bank
- Backup Battery: Portable battery pack for phones
- Generator: Portable generator (if space allows)
Communication:
- Radio: NOAA weather radio with hand crank
- Walkie Talkies: Two-way radios for family communication
- Satellite Communicator: Emergency satellite communication device
- Whistle: Emergency signaling whistle
Tools & Equipment:
- Multi-Tool: Swiss Army knife or multi-tool
- Duct Tape: Heavy-duty duct tape and zip ties
- Rope/Paracord: Heavy-duty rope and paracord for various uses
- Work Gloves: Heavy-duty work gloves
- Shovel: Folding shovel or crowbar
- Manual Can Opener: Hand-crank can opener
Personal Hygiene:
- Toilet Paper: Essential hygiene item
- Hand Sanitizer: Alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Toothbrush & Toothpaste: Dental hygiene supplies
- Feminine Hygiene: Tampons, pads as needed
- Baby Wipes: For hygiene when water is limited
Emergency Preparedness Plans
Supplies alone aren't enough - you need comprehensive emergency preparedness plans:
Evacuation Plan:
- Multiple Routes: Plan several evacuation routes from your home
- Meet-Up Location: Designate meeting spots for family members
- Go-Bag Ready: Keep emergency bag packed and accessible
- Road Atlas: Physical maps as backup when GPS fails
- Vehicle Maintenance: Keep car in good condition with full gas tank
- Pet Plan: Evacuation plan for pets (carrier, food, medication)
Communication Plan:
- Emergency Contacts: Phone numbers written down (not just in phone)
- Out-of-State Contact: Designated contact person in another state
- Text Messages: Text instead of calling (uses less bandwidth)
- Check-In Schedule: Regular check-in times with family/friends
Emergency Situations:
- Natural Disasters: Earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, wildfires
- Power Outages: Extended power grid failures
- Civil Unrest: Riots, protests, social upheaval
- Economic Collapse: Financial crisis, currency collapse
- Infrastructure Failures: Water, sewer, communication systems down
- Pandemic: Disease outbreaks, medical emergencies
Specialized Emergency Scenarios
Different emergencies require different preparations. Here's what you need for specific scenarios:
Wildfire Preparation:
- Fire Extinguishers: ABC fire extinguishers (plural, throughout home)
- Respirators: N95 or N100 respirators for smoke protection
- Sealed Safety Goggles: Eye protection from smoke and debris
- Fire Blankets: Emergency fire suppression blankets
- Evacuation Ready: Go-bag ready with important documents
- Evacuation Routes: Multiple routes away from wildfire zones
Flood/Earthquake Preparation:
- Life Jackets: One per person if you're in flood-prone areas
- Gas Shutoff Wrench: Tool to shut off natural gas
- Secure Furniture: Anchor tall furniture to walls
- Emergency Lighting: Flashlights in every room
- Sturdy Shoes: Protection for feet during evacuation
Air Quality/Emergency:
- N95 Masks: Air filtration masks for adults and children
- HEPA Air Purifier: Indoor air filtration system
- Air Quality Monitor: Real-time air quality monitoring
- Sealed Indoor Space: Create clean air room with tarps and tape
Real-Time Emergency Alerts & Intelligence
The Watchtower Survival Pro app provides comprehensive emergency intelligence:
- Real-Time Alerts: Weather alerts, natural disaster notifications, emergency broadcasts
- Live Emergency Scanner: Stream police, fire, and EMS radio traffic
- Aircraft Tracking: Monitor aircraft movements and patterns
- Traffic Monitoring: Real-time traffic and road closure information
- News Radio Integration: Live news feeds for developing situations
- Preparedness Dashboard: Personal readiness scores based on your supplies and plans
- Risk Assessment: Localized risk analysis for your area
Offline Survival Guides
When networks fail, you need information that works offline. Watchtower Survival Pro includes 50+ complete survival guides:
Wilderness Survival
Water purification, shelter building, fire making, food foraging
Urban Survival
City preparedness, security, barter, resource management
Advanced Medical
Trauma care, medical procedures, emergency medicine
Nuclear/Biological Threats
Radiation protection, decontamination, protective gear
Economic Collapse
Barter systems, currency alternatives, resource stockpiling
Marine Survival
Water safety, coastal survival, maritime emergency procedures
Download Watchtower Survival Pro
The Watchtower Survival Pro app provides comprehensive emergency preparedness tools:
- Real-Time Emergency Alerts: Weather, natural disasters, civil unrest
- Live Emergency Scanner: Police, fire, and EMS radio traffic
- 50+ Survival Guides: Complete offline access when networks fail
- Preparedness Dashboard: Track your readiness vs. local threats
- Emergency Checklists: Systematic preparedness tracking
- Aircraft Tracking: Monitor flights and patterns
- Risk Assessment Tools: Personalized threat analysis
DOWNLOAD WATCHTOWER FREE (7-Day Trial)Free limited version available • Pro: $4.99/month or $39.99/year
Emergency Preparedness Tips
Build Your Supplies Gradually:
Don't try to buy everything at once. Start with the essentials (water, food, first aid), then gradually expand. Budget for emergency supplies monthly, and rotate perishable items regularly.
Practice Your Plans:
Regularly practice your evacuation routes, check your supplies, and update your emergency contacts. Conduct family drills to ensure everyone knows what to do in an emergency.
Stay Informed:
Monitor local threats, weather patterns, and infrastructure vulnerabilities. Use apps like Watchtower Survival Pro for real-time emergency intelligence and preparedness scoring.
Maintain Your Supplies:
Rotate water every 6 months, check expiration dates on food and medications, test equipment regularly, and update your emergency contacts. Supplies that work save lives.