Natural disasters are growing in size and ferocity. They’re becoming more unpredictable. And sometimes, even happening back to back. More than ever, we need to how to survive a natural disaster. Because with the impacts broadening, rescue is not assured. Whether it’s a cyclone, flood, earthquake, or bushfire, being prepared is the key to your survival. Knowing what to do before, during, and after a disaster can save your life and the lives of those around you. So lets get you started with the preparation, mindset and essential skills you’ll need to face the worsening wrath of mother nature.

How to survive a natural disaster: TL;DR

If you’re short on time, here’s a summary of the essential steps and actions you can take today to better survive a natural disaster:

1. Know the risks in your local area. Sign up to alerts and follow trusted social media accounts.
2. Prepare a Go Bag evacuation kit (or tailored emergency kit) with essential supplies.
3. Create a family emergency plan and practice it.
4. Get insured.
5. Work on your a survival mindset.
6. Get some basic survival skills and practice using your Go Bag equipment.
7. Follow evacuation orders and your emergency plan.
8. Wait for the all-clear before clean up and recovery begins. And get support – emotional and physical – and lean on friends and community in recovery.

By taking these steps and actions, you can increase your chances of survival during a natural disaster. For a more detailed explanation of each step and additional tips, read on in this post.

Do you need prepare for natural disasters? (why this time its different)

Things have changed.

Experts like the CSIRO, the Bureau of Meteorology and the Royal Commission into National Natural disaster Arrangements all agree.

Natural disasters are getting worse:

• They’re intensifying (like cyclones).
• The impact of natural disasters is broadening in scale (like the 2020 Australian Bushfires).
• They’re diversifying (like urban flash flooding and ‘super cell’ storms in Brisbane).
• Natural hazards are also becoming more frequent says the World Meteorological Organisation.
• Weather is becoming more unpredictable.
• And they’re compounding or happening back to back (as in the NSW bushfires followed by flooding).

Some of this is attributable to our changing climate. Warming climate systems are impacting our weather, with serious feedback loops.

So what if natural disasters are getting worse?

There are implications from worsening natural hazards that impact every single one of us.

According the Australian Royal Commission into Natural Disaster Arrangements, here are some of scariest:

1. Experts are less able to accurately predict actual weather behaviours and impacts
2. More people impacted
3. More serious impacts – in lives lost, costs, physical and emotional damage.
4. Authorities are less equipped to help everyone.

The upshot of this is, we all need to be more resilient individuals. And to do that, we need to be better prepared, educated and skilled.

So, let’s get started on exactly that: how to survive a natural disaster.

1. Know the Risks

The first step in surviving a natural disaster is to know the risks.

Understanding the types of natural disasters that are most common in your area is critical. For example, if you live in an area that is prone to bushfires, you need to be aware of the potential hazards associated with bushfires, including high temperatures, smoke inhalation, and the risk of getting trapped.

If you live in a coastal area, you need to be aware of the risks of flooding and storm surges.

Just remember, with a warming climate natural hazards are occurring in areas that they haven’t before. 2022-23 saw flash flooding in parts of urban Australia that there is no previous record of.

Knowing the risks gets harder in these conditions. Unexpected events crop up.

So we all need to have a generalist knowledge of natural disaster survival. And of survival per se.

How to stay informed during an emergency

Here are 5 ways to stay informed during an emergency in Australia:

1. Register for alert services. The Bureau of Meteorology and Local Council have alert services.
2. Follow trusted social media accounts. We recommend following social media on Facebook and Twitter for State Emergency Services, Fire Services, Transport and Main Roads, Local Council.
3. Join your local community groups on Facebook. These often share information in real time about natural disasters.
4. Turn on the radio. We use ABC as the best source of real local information for your immediate area.
5. Download emergency apps to your phone. The BOM app is great. In Queensland, the SES has its own app too.

We’d also recommend knowing about the emergency warning system for your area, and what the different categories mean.

Australia has nationalized its emergency warning system to stop confusion across different areas. If you’re unfamiliar with the key terms below and what to do for each warning level, it’s time you got acquainted:

• Advice
• Watch and Act
• Warning

Make sure you learn all about our National Warning system changes.

2. Prepare a Go Bag

The next step on your list is create an evacuation kit or tailored emergency kit.

An evacuation kit should contain essential items that will help you survive in the event of a disaster. They’re also commonly called “Go Bags”, “Emergency Go Bags” or “To Go Bags.

Your kit should contain the basics to meet your critical human survival needs – water, shelter, warmth, food, first aid – for a minimum 72 hours. Until the disaster has passed, or you get rescued.

For a more comprehensive list of items to include in your Go Bag, refer to this article ‘The Ultimate Go Bag Checklist for Australia‘.

Or you can cut straight to the chase and download our Emergency Go bag Checklist in PDF, for free.

A Go Bag is a generic evacuation kit. It works for you in most situations.

As an alternative, you can build more specific emergency kits tailored to particular types of natural disasters – like flood, cyclone or bushfire.

If you don’t know what type of kit you need, our survival supply guides can save you hours of time and agony doing the research.

Once you have your survival kit ready, store it somewhere convenient so you can grab it in an emergency.

You’ll also want to check it through once a year to make sure it’s still up to date (batteries, food supplies, medication etc).

3. Make a Plan

In addition to creating a Go Bag or emergency kit, you should also have a plan in place in case of a natural disaster.

A family emergency plan should include how you stay in contact, evacuation routes you’ll take, and designated meeting places.

Here are some excellent templates you can use to build your own emergency plan:

• Emergency Plan template – Queensland
• Emergency Plan template – NSW
• Emergency Plan template – VIC

While template are state by state, the content is very much the same. Use one that best fits you, your family and your circumstances.

The expert advice is to run through your plan with your family. It might feel a bit dumb, but practice is the best way to keep a cool head and make clear decisions under pressure. Test your kids on what to do.

As you’ll see below, both are critical to a survival mindset.

4. Get insured

It sounds simple, but with disasters increasing getting insurance to protect you from them seems harder and more expensive.

Insurance is also really complicated. Partly by design. The more impenetrable the information, the less chance you have of getting the right cover and ever being paid out if you need it.

Something has to give.

We’re not fans of the system of insurance in Australia. So we’re not going in depth into products here. But we still do recommend insurance for your home, and any other large assets – car, caravan, boat etc – if you can afford it.

If you can’t, have a back up plan for when natural disasters strike. Alternate accommodation and transport options should feature heavily in this plan.

5. What it takes to survive a natural disaster – survival mindset

Surviving a natural disaster takes mental and emotional preparedness. Survival mentality can literally be the difference between who lives and who dies in the same disaster experience.

The tools of survival lie in people’s brains.

But what is a ‘survival mindset’?

It’s the psychology of remaining calm and focused, adapting to changing circumstances, and having the necessary knowledge, conditioning and skills to survive.

Here are 5 ways to develop a survival mindset:

1. Leaning to stay calm:

Panic can be contagious, and it can lead to poor decision-making during a disaster.

Practicing the STOP acronym is a way to apply this:

• Stop – be still and breathe.
• Think – analyse your situation and options
• Observe – take careful note of what is happening around you.
• Plan – make a plan of small steps and actions you will take to survive, escape, take cover etc.

Practice mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing and meditation, can also help you remain calm during stressful situations.

2. Practicing adaptability:

Natural disasters can be unpredictable, and circumstances can change rapidly.

Practicing being someone that is open to change and adaptable to new circumstances. If your plan fails because the winds change in a bushfire, can you make other plans? Remember to STOP and then adjust to whatever circumstances you’re faced with.

3. A resilient mindset

Imagine you’re an elastic band. Flexible to adjust depending on the demands of the situation. Ready to snap back to steady state at any time, unbroken. To be resilient, you must suffer failure or adversity. Then pick yourself up and go again. Never giving up.

4. Learning survival skills:

Knowing basic survival skills, such as how to start a fire or build a shelter, can be life-saving in a natural disaster. This website is a treasure trove of learning about survival skills – explore it!

Consider taking a first-aid course, and practicing some of your newly acquired survival skills in on a hike, trek or even in your backyard.

5. Staying informed:

Staying informed about the latest developments during a disaster can help you make good decisions about your safety. Deciding early and taking action early is key feature of surviving fast moving natural disasters – bushfires and Tsunamis for example.

We’ve already given you 5 great ways to stay informed in a natural disaster.

6. Top 6 survival skills you need to survive a natural disaster

Basic survival skills have come up a few times already. They’re crucial to your resilience and self reliance in a natural disaster. But they’re beneficial in other situations too – like camping, hiking, travelling, living off grid and even in a work situation.

Here are the top 5 survival skills that can help you stay safe and survive during a natural disaster:

1. First Aid: Knowing basic first aid skills can be life-saving in emergency situations. Learn how to regulate body heat, treat injuries, provide CPR, and recognize signs of distress and use the equipment in your Go Bag medical kit.

2. Navigation: Having good navigation skills can help you find your way to safety or locate resources in case you get lost. Learn how to use a map and compass and Personal Locator Beacon. Know how to get yourself rescued (using signals and trails) and practice your navigation skills.
3. Shelter building: Knowing where and how to build a shelter can provide protection from the elements and keep you warm or cool, depending on conditions. Learn how to build a simple shelter using natural resources, such as leaves and branches, and whatever you have in your Go Bag.
4. Water sourcing and purification: In a natural disaster, access to clean water can be limited. Knowing where and how to source and purify water can keep you hydrated and prevent dehydration. Learn how to collect rainwater, purify water with purification tablets, filters, or boiling, and avoid contaminated sources.
5. Fire building: Knowing how to build a fire can provide warmth, light, and a way to cook food. Learn how to build a fire using natural resources, a ferro rod or fire starter kit. Practice in different conditions (wet, windy, snow, night time etc).
6. Survival tool use: get familiar with how to use tools like wrenches, saws, axes, knots, ferro rod, a compass, chem sticks, or a personal locator beacon.

By developing these survival skills, you can increase your chances of surviving a natural disaster and make yourself a valuable asset to your family and community in a crisis.

7. What to do during a Natural Disaster

During a natural disaster, your first priority is your safety. Here are some essential tips to follow during a natural disaster:

• Grab your Go Bag or evacuation kit and prepare your family and pets.
• Stick to your emergency plan. If you’ve agreed to evacuate based on a trigger (like flood levels over the road), do it. Don’t delay.
• Turn off utilities: Turn off gas, water, and electricity before evacuating or seeking shelter.
• Follow evacuation orders: If you are asked to evacuate, do so immediately. Don’t delay action. Follow designated evacuation routes, or your emergency plan. Do not try to drive through floodwaters.
• Stay indoors: If you are unable to evacuate, seek shelter indoors. Stay away from windows and doors. Shelter in a room that is on the ground floor and has no windows if you can.
• Communicate: use your emergency contacts to tell someone where you are and what is happening. Call for help (SES, friends or family) if needed.
• Use social media to stay informed: Social media platforms can be a valuable source of information during a natural disaster. Follow emergency services accounts and hashtags for updates and information.

What to do with your pets in a natural disaster?

If you have pets, it’s essential to include them in your disaster planning. Here are some options for what to do with your pets during a natural disaster:

• Make provision for them in your Go Bag. Make sure they have food, water, a leash, collar, bowl and even a toy or two can help.
• Bring them with you: If you’re evacuating, bring your pets with you where possible.
• Find pet-friendly shelters: Many shelters now accept pets, so check with your local emergency management agency for pet-friendly options in your area.
• Make arrangements with a friend or family member: If you’re unable to bring your pets with you or there are no pet-friendly shelters in your area, make arrangements with a friend or family member to care for your pets until the disaster has passed.
• Have a plan for outdoor pets: If you have outdoor pets, such as horses or livestock, make sure their shelter and fencing are secure, and have enough food and water for them during the disaster. It’s best not to lock them or chain them up – your pets will have a greater chance of surviving on their own this way.

8. What to do after a Natural Disaster

After a natural disaster, the recovery process can be overwhelming. It’s often one of the most dangerous times during a disaster – with infrastructure and homes damaged, there can be safety hazards everywhere.

Here are some tips to help you during the recovery process:

• Use the equipment in your Go Bag to solve any immediate and urgent problems. Dress wounds, prevent exposure, hydrate, make the immediate area around you safe to be in.
• Signal for help if you need it. One popular way to do this if you are stranded at home with communications down is tying a white sheet across your roof or making a cross sign visible by air.
• Wait for the all-clear. If you are sheltered in a 3rd location, do not leave or return home until you have received the all-clear from emergency services.
• Be careful when returning. When you return to your home or business, use caution. Look for signs of damage and stay away from any downed power lines.
• Check on your neighbours. Make sure they are safe and have the resources they need.
• Contact your insurer. Start the claims process. The important documents you’ve packed in your Go Bag will help to get this aspect under way.
• Seek support. Natural disasters can be traumatic. Seek support from friends, family, or professional services if you need it.

Conclusion

Knowing how to survive a natural disaster is for everyone. Experts all agree on one thing: things have changed. We can’t rely on others to save us in the new normal of natural disasters. We all need to be more resilient and self reliant. Surviving a natural disaster requires preparation, planning, and a survival mindset. Making a Go Bag and a family emergency plan, and developing essential survival skills and a survival mentality are central to you making it through. All of the resources on this website will help get you started. Clicking through, is up to you.