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Prepping for anything (Part 2): Make a plan

By The SHTF App Team

When the power is out and cell towers are down, how will your family find each other? That question is the entire point of a plan. It is not a document you file away, it is a set of pre-made decisions that work when normal communication does not.

⚠️ The “we’ll figure it out” trap. Families that plan ahead stay safe, limit property damage, and recover faster. The families that don’t are the ones standing in the driveway, phones dead, arguing about where to go. A plan removes that argument before it starts.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as, and should not be considered, professional or emergency-response advice. Always follow the instructions of local authorities during an active event.

The Readiness Audit

Does your family have a written, practiced emergency plan?

  • 🟢 Green: You have a written communication plan with an out-of-state contact, and you have practiced it like a fire drill.
  • 🟡 Yellow: You have talked about “what we’d do,” but nothing is written down and no one has practiced it.
  • 🔴 Red: You have no plan, and your family would not know how to reach each other if the phones went down.

If you are Yellow or Red, execute Phase 1 immediately.

Phase 1: The Family Communication Plan

Goal: Make sure everyone can reach each other when local lines fail.

  • Collect Contacts: Gather contact information for every family member, plus important people and organizations, medical facilities, doctors, schools, and service providers.
  • The Out-of-State Contact: Set one out-of-state point of contact. When local communication is unavailable, everyone shares updates through that one person. Have at least two forms of contact for them.
  • The Social Safety Net: Encourage your family to sign up for tools like Facebook Safety Check or the American Red Cross Safe and Well.
  • The Wallet Card: Make sure everyone carries a digital or wallet-card copy of the plan, and post a copy in a central place at home, the refrigerator or a family bulletin board.

The Takeaway: One out-of-state contact is worth more than a dozen local numbers when the local network is down.

Phase 2: The Evacuation and Shelter Plan

Goal: Decide in advance whether to go or stay, and where.

  • The Meeting Places: Pick safe meeting places in several directions, one in your immediate neighborhood, another farther away in a nearby town.
  • The Evacuation Rules: Keep your gas tank at least half full, plan to take one car per family to reduce traffic, and learn alternate routes. Never take shortcuts, they may be blocked.
  • The Shelter Rule: For high winds, tornadoes, and many other events, the best protection is an interior room away from windows, doors, and floodwater.
  • The Pet Plan: Take pets with you, but know that only service animals may be allowed in public shelters. Research pet-friendly shelters or boarding options now.

The Takeaway: Evacuate or shelter, the decision should be made before the disaster, not during it.

Phase 3: The Pre-Evacuation Checklist

Goal: Know what to do in the minutes before you leave.

If you have time before evacuating:

  • Notify: Call, text, or email your out-of-state contact with where you are going.
  • Secure: Close and lock doors and windows. Unplug small appliances (leave freezers and refrigerators plugged in unless there is a flood risk).
  • Shut Off: If told to do so, shut off water, gas, and electricity. Learn how before a disaster from a professional.
  • Leave a Note: Tell others when you left and where you are going.
  • Dress and Check: Wear sturdy shoes and protective clothing. Check on neighbors who may need a ride.

The Takeaway: A calm, practiced departure beats a panicked scramble every time.

The Essential Kit Checklist

  • The Out-of-State Contact: Choose one and record two ways to reach them.
  • The Meeting Places: Pick one nearby and one farther away.
  • The Wallet Cards: Print and distribute copies of the plan.
  • The Drill: Practice the plan like a fire drill, at least once a year.

Scenario Planner (Contingencies)

“We’re all on our phones all the time, we’ll just text.” The trap: assuming the network survives. The fix: in a major disaster, local cell towers jam or fail. The out-of-state contact works precisely because their line is not local.

“I don’t have a car, so an evacuation plan is pointless.” The trap: giving up on the plan. The fix: plan your transportation in advance, make arrangements with family, friends, or your local government. A plan without a car is still a plan.

Next: Read Part 3: Build Your Emergency Supply Kit to learn exactly what to store, and where.