Moving? Here are 10 Ways to Prep for Anything in Your New City

Just moved or planning to relocate? Moving to a new place is an exciting adventure, but it also means adjusting your emergency preparedness strategy. Here is your essential guide to assessing and preparing for the unique hazards of your new community so you can feel safe and secure.

This is a guest post by Erin Foster.

Our family was not planning on moving so far away from California. The West Coast had been our home for almost three decades. It was not long before we found ourselves in the deep south of Georgia at the end of our cross-country journey. Goodbye salty air, hello bugs!

California Mindset in Georgia

As we adjusted to the new culture, unpacked our food storage and other belongings, and settled in our home, my thinking was still in California mode. Earthquakes were a constant concern, influencing how I arranged our home. Pictures and shelves were not hung over beds, and fragile items were secured in enclosed cabinets. In California, I had things strategically placed and tacked down. Mentally, I was still preparing for “The Big One.”

Prepping for a New Environment

Once we were settled, I realized the need to adapt my preparedness strategies to our new Georgia location. This meant understanding the unique disaster scenarios prevalent in the South. I needed to learn about the types of disasters that occur in my new area and how to best prepare for them. Even better would be to do some of the research before you move as part of your prepper house shopping strategy.

10 Easy Steps To Help You Prepare

Every area has its own set of hazards. Here’s how to identify and prepare for them in your new community:

Step 1: Identify Local Hazards and Risks

Each area has its own set of hazards. Begin by listing the disaster risks in your new area, prioritizing the most probable ones. Consider places you frequent, such as work, worship, schools, and shopping centers.

Over the next month, observe your new surroundings. Note tunnels, rivers, bridges, power lines, railroads, trucking routes, chemical plants, government buildings, or refineries. Identify alternate routes to work and different ways to exit town. Learn your way around without relying on GPS. Keep a paper map, like a DeLorme atlas, in each car and at home for detailed information.

Step 2: Enroll in CERT Classes

Locate the closest Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class through the FEMA website. Even if you’ve taken one before, a refresher is beneficial. These classes teach you about major local risks, personal preparedness, and community emergency response. You’ll hear from critical personnel like fire marshals, FEMA representatives, and police chiefs, offering an excellent opportunity to ask questions and connect with like-minded individuals. You might even find yourself volunteering for your new town.

Step 3: Explore Local Government Resources

Check your local city and county websites for emergency preparedness sections. Some cities provide access to their Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), which details risk assessments, available resources, continuity of government, and agreements with other agencies. This will inform you about how your city responds to emergencies, including national security threats, technological incidents, and natural disasters. These websites also offer information on local utilities, important phone numbers, evacuation sites, and emergency instructions.

Step 4: Connect with Your New Community

Start building relationships with neighbors, church members, and coworkers. Long-term residents possess invaluable knowledge about the town’s history and potential hazards. These connections could be vital in an emergency, and they might also know where to find preparedness supplies. Even walking your neighborhood can reveal important exit routes.

Step 5: Join Local Prepper Groups

Local prepper groups are another excellent source of information. If no group exists, many sites offer guidance on forming one. Others in your new town are likely interested in preparedness and would welcome the chance to connect.

Step 6: Use Online Resource, usa.com

Usa.com is a fantastic resource. Simply enter your zip code for a wealth of information about your new town. On the left side, click on “Natural Disasters and Extremes” to view a 60-year history of disasters in your area and their frequency. Once you know the most likely disasters, search this blog for prepping and survival tips for each one.

Step 7: Address Universal Hazards in Your New Home

While regional hazards are important, some dangers are universal. Inspect your new home for fire hazards and ensure carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are installed and working. Check the area around your home, trimming trees that could cause problems or contacting the utility company to do so. Evaluate your home’s security, considering an alarm system or additional locks. Understand your state’s firearm laws and ensure you have adequate home, life, and auto insurance for disaster recovery.

Step 8: Leverage Social Media for Updates

Follow the Red Cross and other government agencies on social media. Many people are using platforms like Facebook to share information. Consider receiving updates from your local county emergency management office and the US National Weather Service for real-time alerts about upcoming storms. Read this post for must-have smartphone alerts and emergency apps.

Step 9: Consider Secondary Risks

Evaluate your primary risks and potential secondary risks that could affect your family. An earthquake might not directly hit your home, but it could lead to a tsunami. A fire might spare your house, but subsequent rains could cause a mudslide. Think about the chain reaction of disasters. If you’re a business owner, consider first and secondary risks that could disrupt your livelihood and equip your business with necessary supplies for prepping and recovery.

Step 10: Prepare for Civil Disturbances

Civil disturbances are more than the rioting in big cities that we see on the evening news. It also includes acts of war and terrorist attacks. While some are unpredictable, preparedness is still necessary. No one saw the attacks in San Bernardino or Orlando coming. Again, look at what is probable for your area and do your best to have a plan. This post can educate you about civil unrest and how to stay safe.

Tips to Help You Re-Prepare

• Prepare a comprehensive pet emergency kit that includes food, water, medications, vaccination records, and a current photo of your pet with you. Identify pet-friendly hotels or shelters for evacuation in advance, and ensure your pets have updated ID tags and are microchipped in case they run off. Help them adjust to your new home gradually to reduce stress during emergencies.
• Create a grab-and-go binder using a single, waterproof, and easily accessible binder that includes copies of all essential documents, including personal ID, financial records, insurance policies, medical information, property deeds, and a printed list of emergency contacts. Include a small, encrypted flash drive containing digital copies of all these documents as an additional backup. If you already have one, update it for your new area.
• Establish a family communication plan and meeting point with a designated out-of-area contact person for everyone to check in with if local communication lines fail. Choose both a close meeting point (just outside your home for immediate emergencies) and a secondary, further-away meeting point for larger evacuations.

FAQ

Related Relocation Content

• 18 Tips For Buying an Affordable & Usable Property for Getting Out of Dodge
• House Hunting for Preppers: 15 Important Questions to Ask
• How Being A Prepared Expatriate Can Keep You Alive
• Food Storage You Can Easily Take With You When You Move

Final Thoughts

Moving is stressful on its own. Don’t make prepping after a big move add to your stress. Unpack, find the lamps, and register the cars first. Work on getting prepped in baby steps if needed. Do your best not to become overwhelmed. Look around and make decisions based on what is truly probable. Remember that you are prepping for yourself and your family. Though there may be some similarities with others in your area, you must tailor prepping to your needs.