Which emergencies should you plan for?
Start by listing the hazards where you live. Typical possibilities include severe storms, floods, wildfire, winter storms, extended power outages, drought, a house or barn fire, a medical emergency and a chemical or fuel spill. Your county emergency management office can tell you which risks are most common locally.
Choose the top few and plan for them first, then expand over time.
Ask neighbors what they have seen over the years, since long-time residents know which roads flood, which slopes burn and how long outages last. Revisit the list when your household or land changes, since a new baby, an older parent or a new animal shifts what you need to plan for.
What goes into a written plan?
Extension offices and ready.gov publish templates for households and farms. Fill one out in plain words and keep copies in more than one place. Include a simple map of your property that marks buildings, shutoffs, water sources, gates, hazards and exits.
Share the plan with everyone who lives or works on the property, and with a neighbor who could check on you.
Keep a second copy on your phone and one with a relative in another area. A plan is useless if it is inside a house you cannot enter.
- Emergency numbers, including utilities and your veterinarian
- Property map with shutoffs and exits
- Medical needs, medications and family contacts
- Meeting places and evacuation routes
- Plans for animals, feed and water
- Where important papers and backups are kept
How do you plan for water, power and heat?
Think about what you need if the electricity fails: water for people and animals, heat in cold weather, light, food storage and communication. A well pump usually needs power, so ask yourself how you would get water.
Store water and supplies in a way that suits your household size and risks. For generators, heaters and fuel, follow manufacturer instructions and local safety guidance, and ask a licensed electrician about a safe connection.
Keep a hand-crank or battery radio and lights that do not need the grid, and teach everyone how to shut off water, power and fuel supplies safely. Include medications, pet and livestock needs, and a plan for anyone in the household who uses medical equipment that needs power. Ask your utility whether they keep a list of customers with special power needs.
What about animals in an emergency?
Plan how you would move or shelter animals, who would help and where they could go. Identification, records and a way to transport them matter. Keep feed, water and basic supplies ready.
Ask your extension office, local emergency management and state veterinarian's office about animal-evacuation resources and rules where you live. Reporting and biosecurity requirements vary, and they may apply during disasters.
Practice loading animals into a trailer or carrier before an emergency. Animals that are used to the process are far easier to move under stress. Keep a printed list of animals with descriptions and photos so that a helper can identify them if they get loose or are moved to another place.
How will you get out, and how will help get in?
Know at least two ways off your property, and check whether bridges, low crossings or narrow roads could be blocked. Make sure your address is visible from the road and that gates and driveways are wide and clear enough for emergency vehicles.
Keep vehicle fuel above a safe level during risky seasons, and keep copies of your plan in the vehicle.
Write down the gate codes, key locations and shutoff directions on a card, so a neighbor or responder can help if you are away. Talk with neighbors about shared roads and who might have equipment, such as a tractor or chainsaw, that could help clear a blocked route, and agree on how you will contact each other when phones are down.
How do you keep the plan alive?
Review it at least once a year and after any big change on the property. Update phone numbers, supplies and maps. Check expiry dates and replace batteries.
Practice parts of the plan with your household, such as an evacuation walk or a power-out night. Practice shows weak spots when the stakes are low.
Add a calendar reminder each spring and fall, when seasons change and risks shift, to run through the plan and refresh supplies. Keep a short log of what you changed after each review so the plan improves rather than only being repeated.
Who can help you write it?
Your county emergency management office, fire department, extension office and local Red Cross chapter often provide planning help, and some offer free classes or checklists.
Talk to neighbors about how you can help each other. In many rural emergencies the first help comes from the next farm over.
Key takeaways
- List the hazards in your area and plan for the most likely first.
- Write the plan, include a property map and share copies.
- Plan for water, power, animals and at least two exits.
- Review and practice the plan every year.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Homestead & Small Farm Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.