Disaster preparedness month is here
Brace for predictions of a strong El Nino by getting supplies ready,
ShelterBox USA volunteer Rene Amt hands out vital supplies.
Santa Barbara, California, Sept. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — News You Can Use: Critical Safety Tips as Disaster Preparedness Month Begins and El Niño Approaches
Santa Barbara, Calif. — With El Niño looming, disaster relief experts at ShelterBox USA and weather forecasters are urging Americans to take extra precautions this September during Disaster Preparedness Month.
ShelterBox has responded to disasters in 100 countries, including the United States, and is currently responding to emergencies in Nepal and Venezuela.
“El Niño is strengthening with a greater than 90% chance of a very strong event during the Northern Hemisphere fall and winter 2026–27,” the National Weather Service recently warned in a post online.
With sea surface temperatures rising in the Pacific Ocean, some projections suggest this could be the most severe El Niño in at least a decade, with coastal California and Arizona likely to receive above-average rainfall.
“Keep a grab bag of essentials ready to go in case you have to evacuate with little notice,” said Brian Glenn, ShelterBox Senior Manager, Domestic Response. “And maintain a large cache of emergency supplies in case you have to shelter in place for two to three days.”
Preparing Your Emergency Grab Bag
- Water and food for four days
- Medicine, along with important documents such as birth certificates, insurance papers and passports, as well as mementos and non-digitized photos
- First aid kit
- Flashlights with extra batteries
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Soap, hand wipes, toilet paper and toiletries
- Cell phone with backup batteries or portable chargers
- Raincoat or poncho
- Books, toys and games if you have children
- Tent, if you have one
Plan Your Evacuation Routes
Prepare evacuation plans for:
- Your home
- Workplaces and schools
- Your neighborhood and community
“You’re taught to know two ways out of your house in case of a fire,” said Glenn. “You should also know two ways out of your neighborhood and even your town in case an evacuation is required during an emergency.”
One region where mass evacuations could occur is along the California coast.
“This coming El Niño, we could have some really intense coastal flooding in Southern California,” said meteorologist Lundt. “We could see major damage to seaside buildings, especially houses with low elevations on or close to the beach. They could be flooded with the combination of high tides and high surf. There’s also potential for more rain leading to increased river flow, with water filling riverbeds or flowing over riverbanks.”
Wildfire burn scars are also a concern for experts, including the Palisades and Eaton fire zones in Southern California.
“Because the fires stripped the vegetation on the hills, lots of rain could cause debris flows to run down the mountain,” Lundt continued. “Any building standing in the flow path could be brought down.”
Preparing Your Home
- Clear rain gutters
- Check your roof and repair any leaks
- Have sandbags ready if they are appropriate for your area
Note: Many local government agencies and fire stations provide free sandbagging supplies. Check with your local authorities before a storm.
Preparing Your Vehicle
- Make sure tires and windshield wipers are in good condition
- Carry snow chains if necessary
- Keep your vehicle fueled in case you need to evacuate or travel a long distance
“Be smart when it’s storming. Your life is more important than wherever you are headed,” said Lundt. “Remember: Turn around, don’t drown.”
ShelterBox USA’s response experts draw on decades of experience responding to disasters to emphasize the importance of preparing before an emergency strikes.
“I’ve responded to thousands of emergencies, both here at home as a fire department battalion chief and around the globe as a disaster response team member,” said Glenn. “What I consistently find is the people who suffered the least are the ones who had taken a few minutes to prepare.”
Help ShelterBox Stay Prepared
Preparedness is also at the heart of ShelterBox’s work. By purchasing and pre-positioning essential supplies before disasters strike, training response teams and working with trusted partners around the world, ShelterBox can be ready to act when families need help most.
You can help us stay ready for the next disaster. Your support helps ShelterBox prepare emergency shelter and essential aid so we can respond quickly when families are forced from their homes. Donate today to help us be ready.
Attachments
- Brace for predictions of a strong El Nino by getting supplies ready,
- ShelterBox USA volunteer Rene Amt hands out vital supplies.
CONTACT: Paul Vercammen ShelterBox USA 3236464315 PVercammen@shelterboxusa.org
