Why Prepare for Disaster?

The Seattle area is likely to experience a moderate to major disaster in the near future. While it is difficult to predict when disasters will happen, the consequences of disasters are very predictable and therefore, the efforts you make to prepare yourself, your family, your workplace and your neighborhood will go a long way in improving both the response and the recovery of our community.

Earthquakes are the largest and most complex disaster we will have to face. If you and your neighbors are prepared for and ready to respond to an earthquake, you're ready for the consequences of other events such as severe weather and even terrorism.

The City of Seattle has a comprehensive Disaster Readiness and Response plan. This plan allows the City to coordinate resources to assist the needs of the community as quickly and efficiently as possible. However, the nature of disaster itself means there will not be enough resources to help everyone who needs help.

That's why it's so important to plan ahead to take care of yourself for a minimum of three days. It may take three days or more to open a shelter in your area, or to restore City services such as electricity, natural gas or water.

Disaster preparedness is a partnership between the City of Seattle and its citizens. Preparing in advance and organizing to take care of each other will help the City utilize its resources to help the most people as soon as possible. Within this web site is information to help you prepare at home and at work, within you neighborhood and community. Challenge your neighbors, friends, schools, and family to prepare with you. Start taking action now. The better you prepare, the less you are scared!